The old man prayed for the ________ of his sins before he died.

Analyze the question: The sentence asks for a word that fits "prayed for the ____ of his sins." So we need a noun that describes what a person hopes will happen to their sins when they pray before dying.

Explain the concept: This question tests vocabulary, specifically words that end in -mission but have different meanings:

• Omission: something left out or not done (e.g., "the omission of his name from the list")
• Commission: the act of doing something, or a task or fee given to someone (e.g., "the commission of a crime")
• Permission: consent or approval to do something
• Remission: forgiveness or pardon, especially of sins or debts. It can also mean a lessening of an illness or a cancellation of a penalty.

Step-by-step solution:

1. The man is praying before he dies, so he wants his sins to be dealt with.
2. What one wants for sins in prayer is forgiveness or pardon.
3. The word that carries this meaning is remission. The phrase "remission of sins" is a common religious expression, often heard in church (for example, "the forgiveness/remission of sins" in the Creed).
4. Check the others: • "Omission of his sins" would mean leaving the sins out, which doesn't make sense. • "Commission of his sins" would mean the act of committing them, which is not something one prays for. • "Permission of his sins" would mean allowing the sins, which is illogical.

Answer: D. remission

Tip: Remember the phrase "remission of sins" as a fixed collocation. Also, re-mit means "send back" or "release", so think of sins being released or forgiven. For -mission words, link each to its root: omit (leave out), commit (do), permit (allow), remit (release/pardon).