Final answer:
The correct answer to the word puzzle is a. clout & clot, where 'clout' means strong influence or power and 'clot' refers to a blood blockage.
Step-by-step explanation:
The answer to this riddle-like question is a. clout & clot. The term 'clout' represents a strong influence or power. Such power can invoke various images or scenarios, such as a professional football player using his strength against an opponent, or even the sheer force of a volcano erupting. This demonstrates the magnitude of what 'clout' can symbolize. When you remove the letter 'U' from 'clout,' you get 'clot,' which refers to a blockage in the flow of blood, potentially a dangerous medical condition where blood congeals within a vessel, obstructing the circulation.