Phenol is less acidic than

Which among the following is obtained as a product when phenol is treated with $NaOH$ and $CO_2$ followed by acid hydrolysis?

$A$ compound $x$ reacts with Bromine water and gives a white precipitate. If compound $x$ reacts with $Zn$ dust and forms benzene,then $x$ is:

The major aromatic product of the following reaction sequence is:

$4$-Hydroxybenzenesulphonic acid is treated with bromine water. The product formed is -

Given below are two statements.
Statement $I$: Phenols are weakly acidic.
Statement $II$: Therefore they are freely soluble in $NaOH$ solution and are weaker acids than alcohols and water.
Choose the most appropriate option.