Fears and Phobias

Read the first sentence in line 11. (Fear helps protect us.) Which statement from the article supports the idea in this sentence?

• Like all emotions, fear can be mild, medium, or intense, depending on the situation and the person.

• Fear is the word we use to describe our emotional reaction to something that seems dangerous.

• Fear can be healthy if it cautions a person to stay safe around something that could be dangerous.

• Young kids often have fears of the dark, being alone, strangers, and monsters or other scary imaginary creatures.

The section “How Fear Works” is organized in a way that shows —

• the benefits of having fears.

• the various reasons why we have fears.

• the way the brain and body respond to fear.

• the parts of the brain that are affected by fear.

Hydro is the Greek word for “water.” Based on the meaning of the Greek word phobia, what do you think hydrophobia means?

• A desire to be in water.

• An intense fear of water.

• An intense love of water.

• A neutral feeling about water.

What purpose do lines 60-67 have in the selection?

• It gives hope to people who suffer from fears.

• It explains in sequential order how to overcome fear.

• It presents arguments against being fearful of situations.

• It describes how people can overcome fears of public speaking.

6 The word gradually comes from the Latin word graduālis, which means “steps.” What does gradually mean in line 61?

• In a climbing way

• At an even pace

• In an ordered process

• Little by little

The word therapist comes from the Greek word therapia, which means “healing.” What does therapist mean in line 134?

• A person who likes to study.

• A person who is good in school.

• A person who is trained to help other people.

• A person who is trained to work with other people.

Which of these is a physical

response to fear?

• drowsiness

• hunger

• rapid breathing

• thirst

Under which heading would you expect to find information about what happens in your body when you feel fear?

• How Fear Works

• Fears People Have

• Fears During Childhood

• Overcoming Phobias

The amygdala ...

• keeps track of experiences that trigger strong emotions.

• calms people down.

• relaxes our muscles.

• helps people overcome fears.

When you activate something, it ...

• stops.

• Disappears.

• starts working.

• gets ready.