Metal-metal bonding is more frequent in $4d$ or $5d$ series than in $3d$ series due to

Consider $n$ as the number of lone pairs of electrons present in the equatorial position of the most stable structure of $ClF_3$. The ions from the following with $n$ number of unpaired electrons are :
$A. V^{3+}$
$B. Ti^{3+}$
$C. Cu^{2+}$
$D. Ni^{2+}$
$E. Ti^{2+}$
Choose the correct answer from the options given below :

All transition elements are $d$-block elements,but all $d$-block elements are not transition elements. Explain.

Gadolinium (atomic number $= 64$) is a member of the $4f$ series. Its electronic configuration in the $+3$ oxidation state is $[Xe] 4f^7$. What is the ground state electronic configuration of gadolinium?

Given below are two statements: one is labelled as Assertion $A$ and the other is labelled as Reason $R$.
Assertion $A$: In $T \ell I_{3}$,isomorphous to $CsI_{3}$,the metal is present in $+1$ oxidation state.
Reason $R$: $T \ell$ metal has fourteen $f$ electrons in the electronic configuration.
In the light of the above statements,choose the most appropriate answer from the options given below:

Number of paramagnetic ions among the following $d$- and $f$-block metal ions is . . . . . . . $Mn^{2+}$, $Cu^{2+}$, $Zn^{2+}$, $Yb^{2+}$, $Sc^{3+}$, $La^{3+}$, $Gd^{3+}$, $Lu^{3+}$, $Ti^{4+}$, $Ce^{4+}$. (Atomic number of $Mn = 25$, $Cu = 29$, $Zn = 30$, $Yb = 70$, $Sc = 21$, $La = 57$, $Gd = 64$, $Lu = 71$, $Ti = 22$, $Ce = 58$)