Read the passage below and answer the questions that follow:-
The prisoners in the concentration camps in World War-II had lost faith in the future. Being in the camp, I felt disgusted with the state of affairs and I forced my thoughts to turn to another subject. "Suddenly, I saw myself standing on the platform of a well-lit, warm and pleasant lecture room. In front of me, the attentive audience were seated in comfortable upholstered seats. I saw myself giving a lecture on hope, optimism, and resilience under difficult circumstances." Suddenly, all that oppressed me stopped giving me pain and distress. This practice was so impactful that I could succeed in rising above the situation and the sufferings of the moment."
Identify the correct fact/s related to the stress management technique used by the author in the passage.
(A) Use of images and imagery to deal with stress.
(B) The yogic method of meditation for refocusing of attention.
(C) Procedure to monitor and reduce physiological aspects of stress by providing feedback.
(D) Replacing negative and irrational thoughts with positive and rational ones.
Choose the correct answer from the options given below:
Answer & explanation
Correct answer: option 2
The correct answer is Option (2) → (A) only
The writer used creative visualisation: he imagined himself lecturing in a warm, pleasant hall.
(A) Use of images and imagery to deal with stress. Correct. Creative visualisation is a subjective experience that uses imagery and imagination, which is what the writer did.
(B) The yogic method of meditation for refocusing of attention. Incorrect. This is meditation, a sequence of learned techniques for refocusing attention that brings about an altered state of consciousness. The writer did not meditate; he pictured a scene.
(C) Procedure to monitor and reduce physiological aspects of stress by providing feedback. Incorrect. This is biofeedback, in which a person learns to control a physiological response such as the heart rate from feedback about it. No such feedback appears in the passage.
(D) Replacing negative and irrational thoughts with positive and rational ones. Incorrect. This is the essence of cognitive behavioural techniques such as stress inoculation training. The writer did not reason with his thoughts; he turned them to an imagined scene.
NCERT (2025-26): “Stress Management Techniques … Relaxation Techniques : It is an active skill that reduces symptoms of stress and decreases the incidence of illnesses such as high blood pressure and heart disease. Usually relaxation starts from the lower part of the body and progresses up to the facial muscles in such a way that the whole body is relaxed. Deep breathing is used along with muscle relaxation to calm the mind and relax the body. Meditation Procedures : The yogic method of meditation consists of a sequence of learned techniques for refocusing of attention that brings about an altered state of consciousness. It involves such a thorough concentration that the meditator becomes unaware of any outside stimulation and reaches a different state of consciousness. Biofeedback : It is a procedure to monitor and reduce the physiological aspects of stress by providing feedback about current physiological activity and is often accompanied by relaxation training.” “Creative Visualisation : It is an effective technique for dealing with stress. Creative visualisation is a subjective experience that uses imagery and imagination. Before visualising one must set oneself a realistic goal, as it helps build confidence. It is easier to visualise if one’s mind is quiet, body relaxed and eyes are closed. This reduces the risk of interference from unbidden thoughts and provides the creative energy needed for turning an imagined scene into reality.” “Cognitive Behavioural Techniques : These techniques aim to inoculate people against stress. Stress inoculation training is one effective method developed by Meichenbaum. The essence of this approach is to replace negative and irrational thoughts with positive and rational ones.…” |