using for & whatever

[Mhsn]

1-Known for his skilled retorts, William F. Buckley has been a leading conservative voice.........
a) for closely fifty years
b) for almost half a century

The correct choice is b then why a is false?

2- Huge (lottery) prizes (are) given to (whatever) person who happens to (guessed) the winning numbers.

Which one is false? The answer is "guessed" ok. But in the sentence is using whatever true?
Thanks.

[Beeesneees]

'for close to fifty years would be correct' - but you cannot use the adverb 'closely' there.

The sentence is incorrectly worded. You could almost get away with using 'whatever' but not if you use 'who' as well.
Huge lottery prizes are given to (whatever) person who whoever happens to guess the winning numbers.
Huge lottery prizes are given to (whatever) person who whichever person happens to guess the winning numbers.
_________________
Cheers m' dears!

[Mhsn]

The second question is from an old CBT test. And I got the sentence thanks to your explanation. Thank you.