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.

Tattooing has been around for thousands of years. The act of making a permanent design or mark on the body was originally thought to (24) ______________ magical protection against disease and misfortune. Later, it was used to show a person's social status. The Romans, for example, used to tattoo slaves and criminals.

With the arrival of Christianity in Europe, tattooing was forbidden. It virtually died out for hundreds of years, until European explorers came into (25) ________ with American Indians and Polynesians in the 17th and 18th centuries. Sailors would return from long voyages, decorated with large and elaborate designs. Many of these sailors later joined circuses, and earned a living by showing their tattoos to the public.

Nowadays, tattooing is neither as unusual, nor as popular as it once was. Tattoo parlors do exist, but most people are unwilling to go (26) ____________ the rather painful procedure. On the other hand, temporary tattoos are becoming increasingly common. The design, (27)_______lasts for three to six weeks, is painted painlessly onto the skin.

Other people still prefer the (28) _________, permanent techniques, of course. The world record for the most-tattooed person is held by Tom Leppard from Scotland. His leopard-skin design covers 99.2% of his body surface!