Final answer:
The Writs of Assistance, part of the Townshend Acts, permitted officials to conduct searches without specifying what they were looking for, escalating tensions between Britain and the American colonies. The correct option is a.
Step-by-step explanation:
The part of the Townshend Acts that allowed officials to make searches without specifying what they were searching for was known as the Writs of Assistance. These were essentially blanket search warrants that enabled customs commissioners to search for contraband goods.
The Townshend Acts also introduced other measures such as the Commissioners of Customs Act of 1767 to enforce trade laws, and new vice-admiralty courts in Boston, Philadelphia, and Charleston.
The Townshend Acts led to increased taxation and stronger British power to enforce these taxes, which further heightened tensions between Great Britain and the American colonies.
Hence, Option a is correct.