Which of the following is a common reason for a penalty shot to be awarded?

A penalty shot is awarded when a player is denied a clear scoring opportunity due to an infringement by an opponent. This is specifically applied when a player is fouled while in the process of shooting or attempting to score. The intent behind this rule is to ensure that scoring chances are preserved and that players have the opportunity to score without undue interference.

In this context, if a player is fouled during a scoring opportunity, it typically represents a situation where they have a clear chance to score and the foul prevents them from doing so. Awarding a penalty shot gives the fouled player a direct opportunity to score against only the goaltender, thereby addressing the injustice of the foul.

Other scenarios such as tripping an opponent, scoring a goal, or fighting are not grounds for a penalty shot. For example, tripping could result in a minor penalty for the offending player, but it doesn't lead to a penalty shot unless it directly obstructs a player’s ability to shoot at the goal during a clear scoring opportunity. Therefore, the correct answer highlights the specific condition under which a penalty shot would be justified within the game.