"resources" or "stocks"?

[micaelo]

Hi, I found this choose-the-correct-option exercise in an English Proficiency book:
Working with the mentally handicapped requires considerable ................ of patience and understanding.
A means B resources C stocks D provisions
I've got the answer book, and , apparently, option B is the correct one, but to me, it should be "C", so am I in the wrong or is there a mistake in the answer book?
Thanks

[Dextrous]

As a native English speaker, I would go with provisions if I had to choose from that list.

But out of B and C, I agree with you that C sounds better.

[BobK]

Originally Posted by Dextrous

As a native English speaker, I would go with provisions if I had to choose from that list.

But out of B and C, I agree with you that C sounds better.

As another native speaker, I disagree on both counts . Out of those options, I would choose B. I feel that 'stocks' should refer to concrete consumables - baked beans, soup, toothpaste...: We don't have that brand, but we are expecting further stocks this week. In the singular, the notion of consumables is not there; it could refer to clothing: We don't have that size, but we are expecting new stock this week.

But I would prefer 'reserves' to 'resources', and that's not an option.

b