Consider the following statements : 1. High clouds primarily reflect solar radiation and cool the surface of the Earth. 2. Low clouds have a high absorption of infrared radiation emanating from the Earth's surface and thus cause warming effect. Which of the statements given above is/are correct ?

The correct option is (d) because both statements are factually reversed: high clouds (e.g., cirrus) are thin and trap outgoing infrared radiation, causing a net warming effect, while thick low clouds reflect incoming solar radiation, leading to a net cooling effect. Option (c) is the most tempting wrong choice for candidates who confuse the distinct radiative properties of clouds based on their altitude and density. The core concept tested is the cloud-radiation feedback mechanism and its role in the Earth's heat budget.