Which of the following statements is correct regarding evolution of mankind?

Options

A. Homo erectus is preceded by Homo habilis.
B. Neanderthal man and cro-Magnon man were living at the same time.
C. Australopithecus was living in Australia.
D. none of these

Explanation

To determine the correct statement regarding the evolution of mankind, we need to analyze the options provided based on our understanding of human evolution.

### Step-by-Step Solution:

1. **Understanding Human Evolution**:
- Human beings belong to the primate family, which includes other apes and monkeys. The evolution of mankind is a gradual process that involves the divergence of modern humans from their primate ancestors over millions of years.

2. **Evaluating the Statements**:
- **Statement A**: "Homo erectus is preceded by Homo habilis."
- This statement is correct. Homo habilis is considered an earlier species in the evolutionary timeline, which existed before Homo erectus.

- **Statement B**: "Neanderthal man and Cro-Magnon man were living at the same time."
- This statement is incorrect. Neanderthals lived approximately between 100,000 to 40,000 years ago, while Cro-Magnon man, which is an early form of Homo sapiens, appeared later.

- **Statement C**: "Australopithecus was living in Australia."
- This statement is also incorrect. Australopithecus is known to have lived in East Africa, not Australia.

3. **Conclusion**:
- After evaluating the statements, the only correct statement regarding the evolution of mankind is **Statement A**: "Homo habilis is preceded by Homo erectus."

### Final Answer:
The correct statement regarding the evolution of mankind is: **Homo habilis is preceded by Homo erectus.**

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