Read the following passage and mark the letter A, B, C or D on your answer sheet to indicate the option that best fits each of the numbered blanks fro…

Read the following passage and mark the letter A, B, C or D on your answer sheet to indicate the option that best fits each of the numbered blanks from 30 to 34.

The Cambridge Dictionary has recently named "parasocial" as its word of the year, defining it as a one-sided connection that people feel with individuals they do not know, or even with artificial intelligence. This phenomenon, (30) , involves a sense of intimacy that is not reciprocated by the other party. A common example is the emotional attachment fans develop towards celebrities like Taylor Swift, despite never having met them.

Generally, most parasocial relationships are healthy, serving as a normal way to explore thoughts and emotions about others. They allow individuals (31) , and to find inspiration from accomplishments, even from long-dead writers. (32) , these connections are a fundamentally healthy expression of emotional and social desires, provided they do not interfere with mutual relationships in the physical world.

However, these relationships become problematic if they dominate a person's thoughts or impede independent decision-making. This concern is particularly relevant with AI chatbots (33) . Such highly customized interactions, often designed to flatter or agree, pose a real risk. (34) . This dependency can hinder the development of crucial social and empathetic skills necessary for genuine human connection.

(Adapted from: https://www.bbc.com)