Revati is a very sincere student who was offered the post of the Head Girl. She took time to think and accepted the position. Her parents initially did not approve as they thought that it will be extremely challenging for her and can lead her to compromise with her academics. Revati, though had taken the responsibilities keeping all her objectives in mind. She figured out that she would have to make changes in her daily schedule to shoulder the added responsibilities.
On the day of the farewell she was applauded by all in balancing out well. She shared that she was able to meet her goals with the support of her family especially when she felt low. Also she was regular with her evening walks which helped her to think clearly. Her ability of taking decisions firmly without being self conscious was a life lesson to her.
Revati felt confident and had a solid sense of her own identity which helped manage the demands of her increased responsibilities adequately.
Which life skill does Revati demonstrate most?
Answer & explanation
Correct answer: option 2
The correct answer is Option (2) → Assertiveness
Option (1) Diet — Incorrect. A balanced, low-fat diet is a health-promoting behaviour, but it is not one of the life skills, and the passage says nothing about what Revati eats.
Option (2) Assertiveness — Correct. Assertiveness is a skill that helps to communicate our feelings, needs, wants and thoughts with clarity and confidence. It is the ability to say no to a request, to state an opinion without being self-conscious; an assertive person feels confident and has high self-esteem and a solid sense of her/his own identity. Revati shows all of these: she took decisions firmly without being self-conscious, felt confident and had a solid sense of her own identity.
Option (3) Overcoming Unhelpful Habits — Incorrect. Unhelpful habits such as perfectionism, avoidance and procrastination are strategies that help to cope in the short term but make one more vulnerable to stress, and overcoming them is one of the life skills. The passage describes no such habit in Revati: she changed her daily schedule to take on new duties, not to give up a bad habit.
Option (4) Timely sleeping — Incorrect. Revati changed her daily schedule, but the passage says nothing about her sleep; regular sleep is a healthy habit, not the skill her story shows.
Note: The original NTA paper printed Option (3) as ‘Self Care’. The official NTA Answer Key accepted both Option (2) and Option (3) as correct. Option (3) can also be defended: self-care means keeping ourselves healthy, fit and relaxed, so that we are better prepared physically and emotionally to tackle the stresses of everyday life, and Revati was regular with her evening walks, which helped her to think with a clear mind. The passage, however, puts its weight on her taking decisions firmly without being self-conscious, her confidence and her solid sense of her own identity, which is how the book describes an assertive person, and the question asks for the skill she demonstrates most. Therefore, to leave a single correct answer, Option (3) has been changed to ‘Overcoming Unhelpful Habits’, for the benefit of students.
NCERT (2025-26): “Life Skills … Life skills are abilities for adaptive and positive behaviour that enable individuals to deal effectively with the demands and challenges of everyday life. Our ability to cope depends on how well we are prepared to deal with and counterbalance everyday demands, and keep equilibrium in our lives. These life skills can be learned and even improved upon. Assertiveness, time management, rational thinking, improving relationships, self-care, and overcoming unhelpful habits such as perfectionism, procrastination, etc. are some life skills that will help to meet the challenges of life. Assertiveness : Assertiveness is a behaviour or skill that helps to communicate, clearly and confidently, our feelings, needs, wants, and thoughts. It is the ability to say no to a request, to state an opinion without being self-conscious, or to express emotions such as love, anger, etc. openly. If you are assertive, you feel confident, and have high self-esteem and a solid sense of your own identity.…” “Life Skills … Self-care : If we keep ourselves healthy, fit and relaxed, we are better prepared physically and emotionally to tackle the stresses of everyday life.…” “Life Skills … Overcoming Unhelpful Habits : Unhelpful habits such as perfectionism, avoidance, procrastination, etc. are strategies that help to cope in the short-term but which make one more vulnerable to stress. Perfectionists are persons who have to get everything just right.…” |