How will you bring about the following conversion in not more than two steps?

Benzaldehyde to α-Hydroxyphenylacetic acid

How will you bring about the following conversion in not more than two steps? 

Benzoic acid to m-Nitrobenzyl alcohol

Describe the following: 

Cannizzaro reaction

Describe the following: Cross aldol condensation.

Describe the following: Decarboxylation.

 Complete each synthesis by giving missing starting material, reagent or products.

Complete each synthesis by giving missing starting material, reagent or products.

${\mathrm{C}}_6{\mathrm{H}}_5\mathrm{C}\mathrm{H}\mathrm{O}\stackrel{{\mathrm{H}}_2\mathrm{N}\mathrm{C}\mathrm{O}\mathrm{N}\mathrm{H}\mathrm{N}{\mathrm{H}}_2}{\to }$