A.I. Explanation:

Correct answer: fertile

Explanation: The word 'fertile' is an adjective that describes land capable of producing abundant vegetation or crops. It fits grammatically as it complements the noun 'lands' and contextually aligns with the theme of transforming arid regions into productive areas.

Meaning: 'Fertile' refers to land that is rich in nutrients and able to support plant growth.

Wrong options:

• flourishing: Flourishing is a verb that describes thriving or prospering, which does not fit as it does not describe the type of land directly.
• shutting: Shutting is a verb that means to close something, which is irrelevant in this context of land transformation.
• combating: Combating is a verb that means to fight against, which does not describe the state of the land.
• indigenous: Indigenous is an adjective that refers to native species or people, which does not fit the context of describing land.

Correct answer: planting

Explanation: The term 'planting' is a gerund that refers to the act of putting seeds or plants in the ground to grow. It fits grammatically as it serves as the object of the verb 'has succeeded in' and contextually aligns with the initiative's goal of reforestation.

Meaning: 'Planting' refers to the action of placing seeds or young plants in the soil to grow.

Wrong options:

• fertile: Fertile is an adjective that describes land, not an action, making it unsuitable as the object of the verb.
• flourishing: Flourishing is a verb that indicates thriving, which does not fit as it does not describe an action related to reforestation.
• shutting: Shutting is a verb that means to close, which is irrelevant in the context of planting trees.
• combating: Combating is a verb that means to fight against, which does not relate to the act of planting trees.
• indigenous: Indigenous is an adjective that refers to native species, which does not fit as it does not describe an action.

Correct answer: combating

Explanation: The word 'combating' is a gerund that refers to the act of fighting against something. It fits grammatically as it serves as the subject complement in the sentence and contextually aligns with the initiative's goal of addressing desertification.

Meaning: 'Combating' means to take action against something, in this case, desertification.

Wrong options:

• fertile: Fertile is an adjective that describes land, not an action, making it unsuitable in this context.
• planting: Planting is a gerund that refers to the act of putting seeds in the ground, which does not fit the context of fighting against desertification.
• flourishing: Flourishing is a verb that indicates thriving, which does not relate to the action of combating desertification.
• shutting: Shutting is a verb that means to close, which is irrelevant in the context of combating desertification.
• indigenous: Indigenous is an adjective that refers to native species, which does not fit as it does not describe an action.