<p>Visitors are not allowed to leave their cars in the parking lot without first obtaining parking <strong>permit</strong> from the attendant.</p>
<p>The correct answer is <strong>(C) permit</strong>.</p>
<p>In this sentence, the word "permit" is used as a noun. It refers to a document or authorization that allows someone to do something. In this case, the visitors need to obtain a parking permit from the attendant in order to leave their cars in the parking lot.</p>
<p>The other options are not grammatically correct in this context:</p>
<p>(A) "permission" is a noun, but it does not fit the sentence structure. The sentence requires a noun that refers to the document or authorization.</p>
<p>(B) "permitting" is a gerund, which is a verb form used as a noun. However, it does not fit the sentence structure. The sentence requires a noun that refers to the document or authorization.</p>
<p>(D) "to permit" is an infinitive verb phrase. It does not fit the sentence structure. The sentence requires a noun that refers to the document or authorization.</p>