Question

how did speculators take advantage of the homestead act? by catering to new markets by promising homesteaders a reliable link to the east by creating phony claims by preparing the land for planting

Explanation:

Speculators took advantage of the Homestead Act by creating false or phony claims to obtain land meant for homesteaders. They would fraudulently claim land rather than use it as intended by the act for settlement and development.

Answer:

by creating phony claims