1a. \( f(x) \) is increasing on the intervals \( (-\infty, -1) \) and \( (0, 2) \).
1b. \( f(x) \) is concave down on the intervals \( (-1, 1) \) and \( (2, \infty) \).
1c. The rate of change of \( f(x) \) is negative on the intervals \( (-1, 0) \) and \( (2, \infty) \).