2a:T401,

Match List-I with List-II and select the correct Answer:

List-I	List-II
(Special characteristic)	(Name of planet)
A. Smallest planet of the solar system	1. Mercury
B. Largest planet of the solar system	2. Venus
C. Planet second from the Sun in the solar system	3. Jupiter
D. Planet nearest to the Sun	4. Pluto
	5. Saturn

Codes:

2b:T512,

Correct Option (D)

Explanation

The correct matches are as follows:

A. Smallest planet of the solar system: At the time the question was framed (1998), Pluto was classified as the ninth and smallest planet of the solar system. (A-4)
B. Largest planet of the solar system: Jupiter is the largest planet in terms of mass and volume. (B-3)
C. Planet second from the Sun in the solar system: Venus is the second planet from the Sun, following Mercury. (C-2)
D. Planet nearest to the Sun: Mercury is the planet closest to the Sun. (D-1)

Incorrect Options

Options (A), (B), and (C) contain incorrect pairings for one or more characteristics listed in List-I. For instance, option (A) incorrectly matches the smallest planet with Venus, option (B) incorrectly matches the largest planet with Saturn, and option (C) incorrectly matches the smallest planet with Pluto but misidentifies other characteristics. Only option (D) provides the accurate set of matches based on planetary characteristics and classifications prevalent at the time the question was asked.