1) The metal which reduces the other compound is the one higher in the reactivity. So in this case it is 
.
2) The substance which brings about reduction while itself getting oxidised (that is losing electrons) is called a reducing agent. Here, $\mathrm{Zn}$ is the reducing agent and reduces Cobalt Oxide to Cobalt while itself getting oxidised to Zinc oxide.
F (Fluorine) is in column (group/family) VIIA, or the "halogens". When you see the halogens (Fluorine, Chlorine, Bromine, and Iodine) in combination with a metal, each halogen atom present will carry a -1 charge. We can see that the atom has no charge, so the metal must cancel out the negative charges brought by the two fluorine atoms.
(Charge on m) + 2*(charge on fluorine) = 0
(Charge on m) + 2*(-1) = 0
(Charge on m) - 2 = 0
Charge on m ion = +2
