$(a)$ Why traits such as intelligence and knowledge cannot be passed on to the next generation?
$(b)$ How can we say that birds are closely related to reptiles and have evolved from them?

(N/A) Traits such as intelligence and knowledge are acquired traits,not heritable traits. These do not cause any changes in the $DNA$ of the germ cells; therefore,they cannot be passed on to the progeny.
$(b)$ We can say that birds are closely related to reptiles because fossils show that some dinosaurs,which were reptiles,possessed feathers. Initially,these feathers likely provided insulation in cold weather rather than aiding in flight. Later,birds adapted these feathers for flight. This evolutionary link confirms that birds are closely related to reptiles.