SSC CPO 2023 PYQ — Question 8

In the following passage, some words have been deleted. Read the passage carefully and select the most appropriate option to fill in each blank.

Discrimination refers to the inequitable or (1)________ treatment of individuals or collectives on the basis of attributes such as ethnicity, sex, age and sexual orientation. Studies have indicated that the perception of discrimination can (2)________ a series of stress-induced alterations in an individual's mental, physiological and behavioural responses. The experience of stress is known to elicit unfavourable emotional reactions, including but not limited to(3)________, despair and resentment. Furthermore, anxiety has been linked to a rise in health-compromising behaviours such as smoking, drinking and (4)________ drug use, while simultaneously causing a (5)________ in health-promoting activities such as quality sleep and vigorous exercise.