Which of the following substituents will decrease the acidic strength of phenol?

The structure of intermediate $A$ in the following reaction is

The acidic property of phenol is due to which of the following?

The product of the following reaction is:

The reactivity of compound $Z$ with different halogens under appropriate conditions is given below:
(Image of reaction: $Z$ ($3$-tert-butylphenol) reacts with $X_2$ to give mono-halo derivative for $X_2 = I_2$,di-halo for $X_2 = Br_2$,and tri-halo for $X_2 = Cl_2$)
The observed pattern of electrophilic substitution can be explained by:
$A$. The steric effect of the halogen
$B$. The steric effect of the tert-butyl group
$C$. The electronic effect of the phenolic group
$D$. The electronic effect of the tert-butyl group

The reaction is given as: $X \xrightarrow{Y} \text{Benzoquinone}$. Identify $X$ and $Y$ in the above reaction.