Answer:
During the initial cell operation, each reaction is thermodynamically favorable, but the larger operating potential of the lithium-iodine cell indicates that its cell reaction is more thermodynamically favorable. Â ( B )
During the initial cell operation, the oxidation of iodine is  thermodynamically favorable but the oxidation of mercury is not. ( C )
Explanation:
The major Differences between The Zinc mercury cell and Lithium-iodine cell are :
During the initial cell operation, each reaction is thermodynamically favorable, but the larger operating potential of the lithium-iodine cell indicates that its cell reaction is more thermodynamically favorable. Â and
During the initial cell operation, the oxidation of iodine is thermodynamically favorable but the oxidation of mercury is not.
Given the relationship below,
Δ G = -nFE
E = emf of cell , Â G = free energy.
This relationship shows that if E is positive the reaction will be thermodynamically favorable also if E is large it will increase the negativity of free energy  also From the question we can see that with the reduction of mercury the value of E is more positive and this shows that Mercury is thermodynamically unfavorable