In each of the following sentences, parts of the sentence are left blank. Beneath each sentence, four different ways of completing the sentence are indicated. Choose the best alternative from among the four.

In these bleak and depressing times of _______ prices, non-performing governments and ________ crime rates, Sourav Ganguly has given us, Indians, a lot to cheer about.

[CAT 2000]

A

escalating, increasing

B

spiralling, booming

C

spiralling, soaring

D

ascending, debilitating