Which of the following situations is an example of the government's power of eminent domain?

Introduction / Context:
Eminent domain is a legal concept in public finance and constitutional law. It refers to the power of the state to compulsorily acquire private property for public use, subject to payment of fair compensation and observance of due process. This question checks whether you can distinguish between lawful exercise of eminent domain by the government and unlawful coercion by private individuals who do not possess this sovereign power.

Given Data / Assumptions:
- The concept involved is eminent domain. - Options describe situations involving a private corporator and a state government. - We assume a general legal framework in which only the state has eminent domain powers. - We must identify which scenario is an example of lawful eminent domain.

Concept / Approach:
Eminent domain is the inherent power of the state to take private property for public use, with payment of compensation, even without the owner's consent, provided that proper legal procedures are followed. The key elements are: the actor is the state or a public authority, the purpose is a public use such as a road, school or utility facility, and compensation is provided. Private individuals or companies cannot exercise eminent domain on their own, although they may acquire property through voluntary transactions or through state acquisition followed by transfer. Coercive actions by private persons forcing owners to sell their land would not qualify as eminent domain; they would likely be unlawful or abusive acts.

Step-by-Step Solution:
Step 1: Identify who is exercising power in each option. In option A it is a private corporator, in option B it is a state government. Step 2: Recall that eminent domain belongs only to the state and public authorities, not to private individuals acting alone. Step 3: Note that in option B the state government is acquiring land to build a public highway, which is clearly a public purpose and fits the typical use of eminent domain, assuming compensation is paid. Step 4: Conclude that only option B describes a legitimate example of eminent domain, so options A and C must be rejected.

Verification / Alternative Check:
Examples from real life include governments acquiring land for highways, railways, airports and public utilities. In each case, government notifications are issued, public hearings may occur and landowners are offered compensation. Courts often review whether the purpose is genuinely public and whether compensation is adequate. No recognised legal system allows a private corporator acting in a personal capacity to force sales purely for private projects using eminent domain powers. This confirms that only the state led action in option B fits the concept.

Why Other Options Are Wrong:
Private corporator forcing people to sell land to him: This is not an exercise of eminent domain, because the actor is a private individual pursuing personal interests. Such coercion would normally be illegal. Both A and B: This incorrectly groups an illegal or private coercive act with a lawful state action and therefore cannot be considered the correct answer. None of the above: This is wrong because the state highway construction example clearly matches the definition of eminent domain.

Common Pitfalls:
One common misunderstanding is to think that any forced sale of land is eminent domain. The crucial element is that the power belongs to the state and is used for public purposes with compensation, not simply for private profit. Another pitfall is ignoring the requirement of due process, but in an exam setting, if the scenario clearly involves a government project like a highway or dam, it usually represents eminent domain.

Final Answer:
The correct option is A state government acquires farmers' fields to build a public highway with compensation, because this scenario illustrates the lawful exercise of eminent domain by the state for a public purpose.