Directions: In each of the following questions there are three blank spaces. Below each question there are some options and each option consist of three words which can be filled up in the blanks of the statement(s) to make the statement grammatically correct. Choose the correct alternative among the options given below. The ________ of how to allocate the ________ resources among competing projects required careful ________.

### Concept & Vocabulary In Context Rely on standard collocations and familiar phrasing, particularly in business or administrative contexts. The allocation of resources is a classic management scenario. ### Step-by-Step Solution - **Second blank:** This is the most restrictive blank. When discussing "competing projects", resources are almost universally scarce. "Limited" or "restricted" fit the context perfectly. "Inexhaustible" contradicts the premise of a difficult allocation problem. - **First blank:** What is the term for a difficult problem involving scarce resources? A "conundrum" (a confusing and difficult problem or question) is an excellent, precise noun for this situation. - **Third blank:** Resolving a difficult problem requires deep thought. "Consideration" fits smoothly at the end of the sentence. - Option (c) is the only one where all three words grammatically and logically complete the thought. ### Exam Strategy & Shortcut Keep an eye out for standard idioms or phrases. "Allocate limited resources" is an extremely common collocation. Spotting "limited" in the middle blank strongly points toward option (c), and checking the accompanying words confirms it is the correct choice. ### Common Pitfall Overlooking basic grammatical rules while focusing only on meaning. In option (d), "zealous" is an adjective, but the sentence structure "The [blank] of..." strictly requires a noun in the first position. ### Final Answer Therefore, the correct answer is **C**.