Which of the following is true before a reaction reaches chemical equilibrium?

I have two questions, and I would appreciate any help.


Which of the following is true before a reaction reaches chemical equilibrium?
(a)   The amount of reactants is increasing.
(b)   The amount of products is increasing.
(c)   The amount of reactants and products are constant.
(d)   The amount of reactants and products are equal.
(e)   none of the above

and

Which of the following is true before a reaction reaches chemical equilibrium?
(a)   The rates of the forward and reverse reactions are increasing.
(b)   The rates of the forward and reverse reactions are decreasing.
(c)   The rate of the forward reaction is increasing and the rate of the
reverse   reaction is decreasing.
(d)   The rate of the forward reaction is decreasing and the rate of the
reverse   reaction is increasing.


I have a good understanding of what is necessary for chemical equilibrium, but based on the potential answers I'm not sure what is correct with regards to the state of the reactions and products before equilibrium. Thanks for any help.