_ _ busy schoolwork, the children also have to take arts, music and sports classes in their free time.
A. Rather than
B. Owing to
C. Except for
D. Apart from
网友回答
A. Rather than
B. Owing to
C. Except for
(答案→)D. Apart from
解析：短语辨析。A而不是；B因为；C除..之外（整体与局部的关系）；D除…之外（万能的表达法）；句意：除了忙碌的学习学习任务，在空闲时间孩子们还要参加美术，音乐和各种运动。根据句意说明使用除…之外；但是本句并不是整体与局部的关系，故D正确。