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DIRECTIONS: Read the passage given below and answer the questions that follow. Passage - 1 The natural process of soil formation from the rocks is called me weathering of rock. Weathering is the breaking and wearing down of rocks by the weather (sun, wind, water). In addition, the rocks may be weathered by living organisms. Rocks in nature get heated in sun and sudden rain may cool them. Rocks expand on heating and contract on cooling. Expansion and contraction of the rocks result in the formation of cracks within the rocks and finally they break into smaller pieces. Lichens grow on bare rocks. They retain moisture and also release carbon dioxide in the process of respiration. Carbon dioxide released during respiration gets dissolved in moisture forming carbonic acid. This acid reacts with the rock material to disintegrate it into soil. This is also called chemical weathering. Which of the following human activities has resulted in increased rates of weathering?

A) The release of sulfur and nitrogen oxides that cause acid rain

B) The physical disintegration of rocks during construction and mining

C) Both (a) and (b)

D) Neither (a) nor (b)