Due to the long lapse of time, I could not recognise my old friend.

The correct answer is B. passage.

A lapse is a period of time during which something is not happening or is not being used. In this case, the passage of time has caused the speaker to forget what their old friend looks like.

The other options are incorrect because:

• A delay is a period of time during which something is happening later than expected.
• A duration is the length of time that something lasts.
• Movement is the act of changing position or place.