The ancient art of reading someone’ s palm has always been the most popular

The ancient art of reading someone’s palm has always been the most popular way of foretelling the future. After all, you don’t have to believe it, and the best thing about it is that it doesn’t require a lot of time or (21) expensive equipment. But many are skeptical that palm reading has any scientific basis at all. What could be more ridiculous than the idea that our future can be predicted from the random lines and creases on our hands? Cynics claim that palmists use other clues to gain their "amazing" insights. In other words, the more (22)experienced and observant the reader is, the better she becomes at noticing things which help her to "predict" the future. While the more cynical the "victim" is, the less likely they are to believe a word of it!
However, scientists at the University of Barcelona have discovered that palmistry may have some basis in scientific truth. (23)Having compared the palms of 140 children, they discovered that the more arches and loops children have on their palms, the more likely they are to be intellectually impaired. And the existence of a Simian line—a rare crease across the palm—appears to be one of (24) the most reliable indicators of mental deficiency. This may be connected with events between me thirteenth and eighteenth weeks of pregnancy, a crucial time for brain development and the period when fingerprints are formed. So maybe there is some truth in what the palm reader says. And there is nothing more guaranteed to (25) cheer you up than the news that you’re about to meet a tall dark stranger who will change your life for the better!