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

A POWERFUL INFLUENCE

There can be no doubt at all that the Internet has made a huge difference to our lives. Parents are worried that children spend too much time playing on the Internet, hardly (23) _____ doing anything else in their spare time. Naturally, parents are curious to find out why the Internet is so attractive, and they want to know if it can be harmful for their children. Should parents worry if their children are spending that much time staring at their computers?  

Obviously, if children are bent over their computers for hours, (24) ____ in some game, instead of doing their homework, then soothing is wrong. Parents and children could decide how much use the child should make of the Internet, and the child should give his or her (25) ____ that it won't interfere with homework. (26) _____ the child is not holding to this arrangement the parents can take more drastic steps. Dealing with a child's use of the Internet is not much different from negotiating any other sort of bargain about behavior.  

 Any parent (27) _____ is seriously alarmed about a child's behavior should make an appointment to discuss the matter with a teacher. Spending time in front of the screen does not necessarily affect a child's performance at school. Even if a child is absolutely crazy about using the Internet, he or she is probably just going through a phase, and in a few months there will be something else to worry about!

(23) ________

• A. 
  ever
• B. 
  rarely
• C. 
  never
• D. 
  always