Mark the letter A, B, or D to indicate the correct option that best fits each of the blanks. Adult friendships often stay strong with small interactions called ‘friendship snacks’. These are short messages or shared things like memes that help keep the connection alive (18) __________. These small actions don’t replace deep bonding, (19) __________ until friends can meet or talk more substantially. Natalie Pennington, who is an expert in communication, says that these short messages can be (20) ...

Mark the letter A, B, or D to indicate the correct option that best fits each of the blanks.

Adult friendships often stay strong with small interactions called ‘friendship snacks’. These are short messages or shared things like memes that help keep the connection alive (18) __________. These small actions don’t replace deep bonding, (19) __________ until friends can meet or talk more substantially. Natalie Pennington, who is an expert in communication, says that these short messages can be (20) __________. While some people spend many hours together to solidify a friendship, (21) __________ to deepen bonds. Phone calls or voice memos can enhance this effect, as hearing a friend’s voice can evoke humour and shared memories. Additionally, some people emphasise the joy in making a friend laugh. Routine check-ins, whether through texts, emails, or calls, are part of what psychologists call ‘mundane maintenance’, (22) __________ long-term relationships. Small gestures signal care and (23) __________, with each friendship having its unique rhythm of interaction. In today’s world, where direct contact is less frequent, these ‘friendship snacks’ are vital for sustaining relationships.