Read the following passage and mark the letter A, B, C, or D on your answer sheet to indicate the correct word or phrase that best fits each of the numbered blanks

Sailing or boating may seem to be very interesting with the high level of technical elements involved in the sport. Whether you choose a small boat or a catamaran, whether you choose lake or ocean sailing, there are ___(1)___ number of things you need to master before you can start enjoying the pure pleasure of being on the water.
Getting the sailing skills ___(2)___ you need to start sailing your own boat is easy if you just sign up with a sailing school. You can learn to sail at any age. There are no restrictions. The best schools and instructors will teach you all you need to know about sailing in a friendly and pleasant manner. As with all ___(3)___, sailing will get you into contact with new friends. There is a closeness that develops out at sea, however, which not many other sports have. Being on the water in any capacity demands a healthy outlook and way of life. Sailing and boating are two sports that ___(4)___ all our senses to be at their peak. Sailing calls upon physical strength, intelligence and intuition. It is one sport that allows you to leave all your daily concerns ___(5)___ habits back on the land and to be off with only your bare self.