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

In ancient times, housework was hard because homes didn't have water or electricity. One of the most difficult household activities was (1) _______ clothes. People took their dirty clothes to the river once or twice a week and used rocks, sand and water to clean them.

For many years, people tried (2) _______ easier ways to wash their clothes. Sailors, for example, put their clothes in bags and threw them into the sea. This (3) _______ worked quite well because the moving water helped.

In 1846, the first washing machine was invented, but it was difficult to use. The water was cold, so people warmed it (4) _______ a fire. Then they pulled the clean, wet clothes through a special machine to take out the water.

The first electric washing machine was (5) _______ in 1908. It was more useful because it could warm the water but the clothes were still very wet. The contemporary washing machine wasn't invented until the 1930s. This indispensable item has changed our lives. Today, all the hard work is done for us while we sit and relax.

One of the most difficult household activities was (1) _______ clothes.