Sentence:  When served in a psychological atmosphere that allows young bodies to assimilate the greatest good from what they eat because they <WSD>are</WSD> free from tension , a foundation is laid for a high level of health that releases the children from physical handicaps to participate with enjoyment in the work assignments , the athletic programs and the most important phase , the educational opportunities . 
Meaning of the word marked with <WSD> tags:  have the quality of being; (copula, used with an adjective or a predicate noun)