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 from 26 to 30.

The United States of America, due to its immense size and diverse heritage, has one of the most complex cultural identities in the world. Millions of immigrants from all over the globe have journeyed to America ___(1)___ the Europeans discovered and colonised the land back in the 17th and 18th centuries. The blending of cultural ___(2)___ and ethnicities in America led to the country becoming known as a “melting pot.” As the third largest country in both area and population, America’s size has enabled the formation of subcultures within the country. These subcultures are often geographical as a result of settlement ___(3)___ by non-natives as well as regional weather and landscape differences. While there are countless ways to divide the U.S. into regions, here we have referenced the four regions that are West, Midwest, North East and South. People from ___(4)___ region may have different lifestyles, cultural values, business practices and dialects. While there are qualities and values ___(5)___ most Americans commonly share, it is important not to generalise or assume that all Americans think or act the same way.