In the following passage some words have been deleted. Fill in the blanks with the help of the alternatives given. Select the most appropriate option for each blank.

Many of us believe that science is something modern though the truth is that man has been using science for ............ very long time. However, it has had a greater effect on human lives in the last 25 or 30 years than in the hundreds of years since the invention of the plough. The marvellous gifts of science have modern life exciting and comfortable.