How can benzyl alcohol be obtained from benzaldehyde?

Which of the following reactions involve the carbon-carbon bond formation?

The major product formed in the following reaction is:

During the reaction of benzaldehyde with alkali,one of the products is:

Compound $(A)$ with molecular formula $C_6H_{12}O_3$ gives a positive iodoform test and a negative Tollens' test. Upon treatment with water and a drop of $H_2SO_4$,it gives a positive Tollens' test. Compound $(A)$ is:

Which of the following compounds does not undergo the Cannizzaro reaction?