Which of the following figures completes the given series?

In a dot-matrix sequence question, first compare the given panels cell by cell: a dot occupying the identical cell in every panel is a fixed reference point. For every other dot, the most reliable way to extend the series is to look at how its position changed from the second panel to the third, and apply that exact same change once more — this captures the dot's current direction and step size without assuming it moved the same way since the very first panel.

Numbering rows and columns 1 to 5 from the top-left of each grid:

1. Two dots repeat in the identical cell in all three panels, so they are fixed: the corner dot at row 1, column 1, and the dot at row 3 (the middle row), column 2.

2. One dot is at row 2, column 3 in the second panel and row 2, column 4 in the third panel — a change of one column to the right with no change in row. Applying that same change once more, the missing panel needs this dot at row 2, column 5.

3. One dot is at row 4, column 3 in the second panel and row 3, column 3 in the third panel — a change of one row up with no change in column. Applying that same change once more, the missing panel needs this dot at row 2, column 3.

4. One dot is at row 5, column 4 in the second panel and row 3, column 4 in the third panel — a change of two rows up with no change in column. Applying that same change once more, the missing panel needs this dot at row 1, column 4.

5. Combining all five positions, the missing panel must show dots at row 1 column 1 (fixed), row 3 column 2 (fixed), row 2 column 3, row 2 column 5, and row 1 column 4.

Checking each option against this exact set of five cells: two patterns move the row-3, column-2 anchor out of its fixed cell, and one pattern moves the row-1, column-1 anchor out of its fixed cell, which alone disqualifies them regardless of where the other dots sit. Only one pattern keeps both anchors in place and places the three moving dots exactly at row 2 column 3, row 2 column 5, and row 1 column 4 as derived above.

That pattern — dots fixed at row 1 column 1 and row 3 column 2, with the remaining three dots at row 1 column 4, row 2 column 3, and row 2 column 5 — is the correct completion of the series.