Question

Current research indicates that teens are experiencing increased levels of stress due to a variety of factors, including but not limited to academic stress, or the pressure to perform well on a test or assignment; physical stress due to the natural biological changes that occur both mentally and physically during the teen years; social stress, which stems from difficulties associated with managing complex social relationships with peers; and poor time management, which often causes teens to skip meals or sleep less in order to meet academic and extracurricular obligations.
So, which coping mechanisms are most commonly used to alleviate stress? According to survey data released in February of 2017 by the American Psychological Association, some of the most commonly utilized strategies to reduce stress are: listening to music, exercising, surfing the Internet, watching movies or television programs, spending time with friends and family, reading, napping, eating, and doing a hobby. And while the aforementioned can be useful for reducing stress, there are actually other, often overlooked options . . . plants!
Take, for example, the herb chamomile, which looks much like a daisy with its yellow center and small white petals. For centuries, healers have lauded chamomile as both a stress reliever and sleep aid. Commonly found in grocery stores in the form of tea, chamomile can be brewed then drunk—hot or cold—to help calm down during times of stress, or drunk an hour or so before bed, for a more restful night's sleep.
Flowers like lavender and gardenia can also serve as powerful tools in the fight for stress relief. Lavender grows in stems, with purplish-blue blossoms that grow into whorls that form a sort of spike at the end. These flowers emit a soothing scent that reduces stress by slightly lowering one's blood pressure. Gardenia, a delicate plant that is actually a type of shrub, produces white flowers. Gardenia flowers emit a powerful, yet pleasant fragrance that has been proven to reduce not only stress but also anxiety and insomnia!

5Question 5
Which sentence from the passage best highlights the idea that plants are a reliable way to relieve stress?
A.
These flowers emit a soothing scent that reduces stress by slightly lowering one's blood pressure.
B.
And while the aforementioned can be useful for reducing stress, there are actually other, often overlooked options . . . plants!
C.
For centuries, healers have lauded chamomile as both a stress reliever and sleep aid.
D.
Flowers like lavender and gardenia can also serve as powerful tools in the fight for stress relief.
Reset Next

© 2026 Edmentum. All rights reserved.

Answer 1

D. "Flowers like lavender and gardenia can also serve as powerful tools in the fight for stress relief."

Explanation: This sentence directly presents plants as effective, reliable means of reducing stress, calling them "powerful tools," which best matches the prompt.