The answer is (a): the mass will be at a higher vertical position with the spring configuration of two parallel series spring-string combinations, as seen by comparing the two photographs below.
When the two springs are in series the entire weight is pulling on both springs. With the series/parallel setup each spring only supports half of the weight, and is therefore extended only half as much. The small amount of slack in the string cannot make up for the reduced spring extension, and the mass moves up.
