$(a)$ "Recent fossils are found closer to the earth's surface." Comment on the statement stating reason.
$(b)$ List two factors which could lead to the rise of new species.

(N/A) This statement is correct. Fossils are formed in sedimentary rock layers. As new layers of sediment are deposited over time, the older organisms are buried deeper, while the more recent organisms are buried in the upper, shallower layers.
$(b)$ Two factors that lead to the rise of new species (speciation) are:
$1$. Natural selection: The process where organisms better adapted to their environment tend to survive and produce more offspring.
$2$. Genetic drift: The change in the frequency of an existing gene variant in a population due to random chance.