Question

Under the Antiquities Act of 1906, the Organic Act of 1916, and other federal laws, the US government has the power to take custody of land _______ when having historical significance or great natural beauty. The designation of a territory as a national park, national monument, or other _______ types of protected area can limit activities such as oil drilling and logging and provide funding for staff to work on preservation, maintenance, and visitor assistance.

1st blank options:
A) NO CHANGE
B) for its having
C) that has
D) for it has

2nd blank options:
A) NO CHANGE
B) type of protected area
C) type of protected areas
D) protected area types

Answer 1

I believe the best answers are:

blank 1 -- C) that has

blank 2 -- A) NO CHANGE

Step-by-step explanation:

The original sentence, "...the US government has the power to take custody of land when having historical significance or great natural beauty" is a bit ambiguous. Who has historical significance? We assume it is the land. But, in the way it is phrased, it could also be the government. To eliminate such ambiguity, the best option is letter C) that has. It will help determine a certain land can be taken. What land? The one that has historical significance.

As for the sentence, "The designation of a territory as a national park, national monument, or other types of protected area can limit activities," I don't see any reasons for changes. Especially because of the word "other", which needs to be completed by a plural noun - eliminating options B and C. Letter D wouldn't be incorrect, but the transformation of "protected area" into an adjective for "types" is unnecessary. The sentence is perfect the way it is and, therefore, needs NO CHANGE.