In the following passage, some of the words have been left out. Read the passage carefully and select the correct answer for the given blank out of the four alternatives.

Now, what exactly does big business want? Though they cite some ____________ worded performance indicators to compile the index, the true intention appears to be
something ___________. They want land at throwaway prices even _____________ it is fertile agriculture land; they want licenses to be issued immediately even if the
proposed activities are likely to result in environmental _____________; they want labour laws to be favourable to them so it becomes easy to hire _______ fire and
exploit workers; and they want the government to respond favourably to their ‘bailout’ demands from time to time so they can transfer their risk on to taxpayers,
notwithstanding the fact that they enjoyed their profits during their heyday.

Q:

easy to hire ________ fire and exploit

• 1
  and
• 2
  if
• 3
  thus
• 4
  so