Identify the statements which explain the characteristics of the second stage of demographic transition theory.

(A) Fertility remains high in the beginning of this stage
(B) Improvements in sanitation and health conditions lead to a decline in mortality.
(C) The population is either stable or grows slowly
(D) The net addition to the population is high.

Choose the correct answer from the options given below:

(A), (B) and (D) only

The correct answer is Option (1) → (A), (B) and (D) only

(A) Fertility remains high in the beginning of this stage. Correct. Birth rates remain high in this stage.

(B) Improvements in sanitation and health conditions lead to a decline in mortality. Correct. Death rates begin to fall due to better medical and health conditions.

(C) The population is either stable or grows slowly. Incorrect. This happens in the first and last stages. In the second stage, the population rises rapidly.

(D) The net addition to the population is high. Correct. High birth rates and declining death rates cause rapid population growth.