Explanation: The speed of light is maximum in a vacuum (approximately 3 × 10⁸ m/s) and decreases as it passes through denser media. Among the given options — vacuum, air, water, and glass — light travels slowest in glass because glass has the highest refractive index (around 1.5). The greater the refractive index, the slower the light travels. This slowing down of light causes refraction, or bending of light, when it passes from one medium to another.

Sputnik I was the first artificial satellite to orbit the Earth. It was launched by the Soviet Union on October 4, 1957. The successful launch of Sputnik I marked the beginning of the space age and initiated the space race between the USA and the USSR.

• Explorer I: First U.S. satellite, launched in 1958.
• Vanguard I: A U.S. satellite launched later in 1958.
• Discoverer I: Part of an American reconnaissance satellite program (1959).

The Red Data Book contains information about endangered and threatened species of plants and animals. It is published by the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN). The book categorizes species based on their risk of extinction, such as Critically Endangered, Endangered, Vulnerable, and Extinct. It serves as a global reference for monitoring biodiversity conservation and guiding environmental protection policies.

Other options (for context)

• All plant species: Incorrect — it includes only those plants that are endangered or threatened.
• All animal species: Incorrect — it covers only the endangered and vulnerable ones, not all animals.
• All extinct species: Incorrect — it includes species at risk of extinction, not only those already extinct.

Explanation: A solar eclipse occurs when the Moon comes between the Sun and the Earth and casts its shadow on the Earth. This happens during the new moon phase, when all three celestial bodies are almost in a straight line. Depending on the alignment, the eclipse can be total (Sun completely covered), partial (Sun partially covered), or annular (ring-shaped Sun visible). During this event, sunlight is blocked for a short time in specific areas of the Earth’s surface.

The Biome is the largest ecological unit. It includes several ecosystems that share similar climate, vegetation, and animal life. Examples include tundra, desert, rainforest, and grassland. A biome represents a major community of living organisms adapted to a specific environment over large geographical areas.

• Organism: An individual living being.
• Population: A group of the same species living in an area.
• Ecosystem: Includes both living and non-living components, but multiple ecosystems together form a biome.

The full form of LAN is Local Area Network. It is a network that connects computers and devices within a limited geographical area such as a home, office, school, or building. LANs enable data sharing, resource sharing (like printers or internet connections), and communication between connected devices. Common technologies used in LANs include Ethernet and Wi-Fi.

Other options (for context)

• Line Area Network: Incorrect — not a recognized networking term.
• Linear Area Network: Incorrect — there is no such standard network type.
• Land Area Network: Incorrect — misinterpretation of LAN abbreviation.

Explanation: AIDS, Hepatitis, and Typhoid fever are all diseases that can be spread by human beings. While AIDS and Hepatitis are viral diseases and Typhoid is a bacterial disease, all three are transmitted through contact with infected individuals or their body fluids, making human-to-human transmission common.