Read the following passage and mark the letter A, B, C, or D on your answer sheet to choose the word or phrase that best fits each of the numbered blanks from 26 to 30.

STAYING IN TOUCH

People have been recording information in the form of writing since ancient times. Latin, the language of religion, and French, the language of the rich and powerful, were the ___(1)___ languages in the Middle Ages in Europe. Subjects were usually connected to religion, trade and government, although historians have also come across love letters ___(2)___ people wrote to stay in touch in those times.

After the invention of the printing press in the mid-fifteenth century, books and documents in people's native languages became readily available. This, together with improvements in education and the spread of postal services in the nineteenth century, permitted families and friends to ___(3)___ messages to each other by letter. Maintaining contact was much easier than it had ever been. In recent years, ___(4)___, everything has changed. Mobile phones, emails and text messages are replacing letters. Why bother writing a letter when you can make small talk on the phone for very little cost? ___(5)___ people would agree, however, that there is something very special about receiving a personal, handwritten letter.