Fears and Phobias 1

Fears and Phobias

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Agony Aunt Letters

a person, usually a woman, who gives advice to people with personal problems, especially in a regular magazine or newspaper article

Letter 1

Dear Betty,

Next month I’m going on holiday with my girlfriend,

but I think we might have to cancel it. The problem

is that she is scared of ______________. We’re going

to India so she needs some injections, but she’s saying

she can’t get them because she’s frightened. What can

I do?

Jonas

Multiple Choice

The problem is that she is scared of ________

• spiders

• needles

• heights

• buttons

Letter 2

Dear Betty,

I’m very worried about my daughter, Becky. She’s five

years old and she is going to start school in September.

The problem is she is frightened of people, crowds,

open spaces and almost anything new. She’s even

frightened of _______________ and there are lots of

those on her school uniform. Can you help us?

Mrs Jane Stewart

Multiple Choice

She’s even frightened of _________

• spiders

• needles

• heights

• buttons

Letter 3

Dear Betty,

My name’s Liam and I’m frightened of

_______________. My fear is so bad that when I see

one my girlfriend has to get rid of it while I stand on a

chair. I started to be frightened of them after I saw the

film Arachnophobia. Can you help me?

Liam (aged 28)

Multiple Choice

My name’s Liam and I’m frightened of _____________

• spiders

• needles

• heights

• buttons

Letter 4

Dear Betty,

I recently lost my job and I’m very upset. The problem

was that they wanted to move my office to the tenth

floor. It’s not that I’m scared of _______________.

I don’t really mind that, but I am claustrophobic so

I can’t get into the lift. I also use a wheelchair so if

there was a fire I wouldn’t be able to use the stairs.

What can I do?

Inga

Multiple Choice

It’s not that I’m scared of _______________.

• spiders

• needles

• heights

• buttons

A Radio Show

Host: On today’s programme we’re talking about

fears and phobias. Let’s go to our first caller.

Who do we have on Line 1?

Liam: Hello, my name’s Liam.

Host: Hi Liam, and what are you frightened of?

Liam: Well, it’s not me. It’s my girlfriend, Mary.

Host: Aha!

Liam: She’s absolutely terrified of spiders. I have

to get rid of them while she hides in another

room.

Host: That does sound bad, but then it’s not very

unusual. In the UK, around 60% of women

and 20% of men suffer from arachnophobia.

ANSWER

There are three main differences:

1. Liam is frightened of spiders

Liam’s girlfriend is frightened of spiders;

2. His girlfriend has to get rid of the spiders;

He has to get rid of the spiders

3. He stands on a chair

She hides in another room