A technique by which a previous scene or action can be recalled in a play to shed light on the present action is

Step 1: Analyze the question The question asks for a technique that recalls a previous scene or action to explain or shed light on what is happening now in a play.

Step 2: Explain the concepts

• Climax: The highest point of tension or turning point in the plot. It is not about recalling the past.
• Flashback: A technique where the story goes back to an earlier event, scene, or action to give background or explain the present situation.
• Interlude: A short break or intervening performance between parts of a play, such as a song, dance, or brief scene. It is not meant to recall past events.
• Catharsis (spelt "Cathersis" in the question): The emotional purification or release the audience feels, especially at the end of a tragedy, as Aristotle described.

Step 3: Match the definition to the options Only flashback involves going back in time to recall earlier action so the audience understands the present. For example, in a play a character might suddenly relive a past event, and the stage shifts to show it. This clarifies the motives or circumstances behind what is happening now.

Step 4: Answer The correct option is **B.

Tip: Think of the word itself: "flash" (a quick moment) and "back" (to the past). Whenever a question mentions recalling a past event to explain the present, the answer is flashback. Also, remember the pair "foreshadowing" (hints at the future) and "flashback" (looks to the past).