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.

BASKET BALL

One of the most popular sports in the world, played daily by millions of people had humble beginnings. Basket Ball (26)_______ was created in 1891 in a Springfield, Massachusetts YMCA gymnasium has grown into a game played worldwide by more than 300 million people.

The person responsible (27) _______ the popular game was Dr. James Naismith (1861-1939). Dr. Naismith was a Canadian-American Physical Education teacher at the School for Christian Workers located in Springfield, Massachusetts. In 1891, under direction from Dr. Luther Gulick, the head of the School, Naismith was given 14 days to create an indoor game. The goal of this directive was to provide a  (28) _______ and healthy indoor for a rowdy class of students during the brutal New England winter.

Naismith's invention did not happen quickly. He struggled to (29) _______ up with a game that met the objectives of his directive. At first he thought to bring outdoor games such as soccer or lacrosse inside. (30) _______, such outdoor games were not feasible due mainly to the small indoor space of the school gymnasium.

(Source: http://www.histoiybits.com/basketball.htm)

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 blank 26.