Sulphonation of compound A followed by fusion with NaOH gives mixture of O- cresol & p- cresol. compound A is
Toluene, when subjected to sulphonation, mainly forms ortho and para isomers of toluenesulfonic acid. Upon fusion with NaOH, these toluenesulfonic acids are converted to o-cresol and p-cresol respectively. Hence, compound A is toluene.