1. **State the problem:** Evaluate the expression $$-5^2 - \left[1 - \frac{12}{(-2)^2}\right] + (-1)^3$$. 2. **Recall order of operations:** Exponents first, then multiplication/division, then addition/subtraction. 3. **Calculate each part:** - Calculate $-5^2$: Note that exponent applies to 5 only, so $5^2=25$, then apply the negative sign: $-5^2 = -25$. - Calculate $(-2)^2$: $(-2)^2 = 4$. - Calculate $\frac{12}{4} = 3$. 4. **Simplify inside the brackets:** $$1 - 3 = -2$$ 5. **Calculate $(-1)^3$:** $$(-1)^3 = -1$$ 6. **Substitute back:** $$-25 - [-2] + (-1)$$ 7. **Simplify the expression:** $$-25 + 2 - 1$$ 8. **Final calculation:** $$-25 + 2 - 1 = -24$$ **Answer:** $-24$ which corresponds to option C.