Q.Match the followings and choose the correct option from below.
Column I: A. Meristem B. Parenchyma C. Collenchyma D. Sclerenchyma E. Epidermal tissue
Column II: i. Photosynthesis, storage ii. mechanical support iii. Actively dividing cells iv. stomata v. sclereids

Each tissue type performs a distinct primary role, and matching them correctly gives:

• Meristem — made of actively dividing, thin-walled cells; its role is growth, not a fixed function like the others, so it is best matched to "actively dividing cells."
• Parenchyma — thin-walled living cells found in cortex, pith and mesophyll; carries out photosynthesis (where it contains chloroplasts) and storage of food.
• Collenchyma — living, unevenly thickened cells that give mechanical support to growing parts.
• Sclerenchyma — includes fibres and sclereids, so it is matched to sclereids.
• Epidermal tissue — the outer covering that bears the stomata regulating gas exchange and transpiration.

Each of these five tissue categories is defined by what its cells are doing, so the match follows directly from function:

• Meristem (A) is not a permanent tissue at all — its cells remain undifferentiated and go on dividing, which is exactly "actively dividing cells" (iii).
• Parenchyma (B) is the least specialised permanent tissue: thin-walled, living cells found in the cortex, pith and mesophyll that, depending on location, either photosynthesise (when chloroplast-bearing, as in mesophyll) or store food and water — matching "photosynthesis, storage" (i).
• Collenchyma (C) is a living tissue with unevenly thickened walls that gives flexible mechanical strength to young, growing organs — matching "mechanical support" (ii).
• Sclerenchyma (D) is the dead, heavily lignified tissue that occurs both as elongated fibres and as the irregularly shaped, hard stone cells called sclereids — matching "sclereids" (v).
• Epidermal tissue (E) forms the outer covering and includes the stomatal apparatus, the pores through which gas exchange and transpiration occur — matching "stomata" (iv).

Every other option pairs at least one tissue with the wrong function (for instance, swapping meristem and parenchyma, or putting sclereids under collenchyma), so only one combination is internally consistent.

Method: Matching by the Most Distinctive Keyword First

Rather than working through the five tissues in the order given, this elimination strategy solves matching questions faster by first finding the ONE tissue-function pair that is unambiguous, locking it in, and letting each subsequent match narrow the remaining options automatically.

Step 1 — find the unambiguous anchor. Among A-E and i-v, "actively dividing cells" (iii) can only describe Meristem (A) — no other listed tissue is defined by ongoing division. Lock in A-iii.

Step 2 — find the next most specific pair. "Sclereids" (v) is a term that belongs only to sclerenchyma (fibres and sclereids together make up this tissue) — lock in D-v.

Step 3 — continue with what's left. Of the remaining B, C, E and i, ii, iv: "stomata" (iv) can only belong to Epidermal tissue (E), since stomata are epidermal structures — lock in E-iv.

Step 4 — the last two resolve themselves. Only B, C and i, ii remain. Collenchyma is defined by its mechanical-support role in growing organs, so C-ii (mechanical support); by elimination, B-i (photosynthesis, storage) must belong to Parenchyma, which is consistent with parenchyma's known role.

Check against the options: A-iii, B-i, C-ii, D-v, E-iv matches option (b) exactly.

This "anchor on the most distinctive term first" method avoids having to independently recall and verify all five function-tissue pairs from scratch — you only need to be completely certain about one or two of the most specific terms (meristem/dividing, sclereids/sclerenchyma, stomata/epidermis), and the rest fall into place by elimination.

Conclusion: option (b) is correct, reached by anchoring on the clearest matches first rather than verifying all five pairs independently.