Sentence completion with degree of relief: choose the comparative phrase that fits Base stem: "I felt somewhat more relaxed …" Select the option that correctly contrasts present state with an earlier tenser state.

Given data

• Adverb of degree: "somewhat more relaxed" → improvement over earlier state.

Concept/Approach
We need a continuation that coherently indicates increased relaxation relative to the past, using a grammatically sound comparative structure. Among the choices, the coordination with "and" plus a positive state is the most consistent, despite being slightly emphatic.

Option analysis
and tension-free as compared to earlier — signals an improved, relaxed state contrasted with earlier; grammatically acceptable. ✅but tense … / and tense … — contradict "more relaxed".as there was already no tension at all — conflicts with "somewhat more" (implies remaining tension differences).because the worry had already captured by mind — ungrammatical phrase.

Common pitfalls

• Choosing a clause that negates the stated improvement.

Final Answer
and tension-free as compared to earlier.