Which among the following reagents forms alcohol when reacted with $R-COOH$?

Given below are two statements :
Statement $I :$ The esterification of carboxylic acid with an alcohol is a nucleophilic acyl substitution.
Statement $II :$ Electron withdrawing groups in the carboxylic acid will increase the rate of esterification reaction.
Choose the most appropriate option

An optically active compound $X$ has the molecular formula $C_4H_8O_3$. It evolves $CO_2$ with $NaHCO_3$. $X$ reacts with $LiAlH_4$ to give an achiral compound. $X$ is:

What are $X$ and $Y$ respectively in the following reaction sequence?
Styrene $\xrightarrow[(ii) H_3O^+]{(i) KMnO_4 / KOH} X$ $\xrightarrow{Br_2 / FeBr_3} Y$

Number of $CO_2$ molecules evolved upon heating the given compound.

$CH_2(CO_2Me)_2 + ? \xrightarrow[(i) \ Na]{(ii) \ AcOH} CH(CO_2Me)_3$
Which of the following reactants will complete the above reaction?