Understanding Fear

Read this sentence from paragraph 3. 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. (paragraph 4)

• Fear is the word we use to describe our emotional reaction to something that seems dangerous. (paragraph 8)

• A fear can be healthy if it cautions a person to stay safe around something that could be dangerous. (paragraph 10)

• Young kids often have fears of the dark, being alone, strangers, and monsters or other scary imaginary creatures. (paragraph 15)

What does the word unsafe mean as used in this sentence?

• Not certain

• In danger

• Guarded

• Misunderstood

What is the purpose of the boxed feature after paragraph 7?

• To list different types of frightening activities

• To describe why some people cannot feel fear

• To explain how phobias are not the same as fear

• To point out that some people react positively to fear

Which idea should be labeled 1 in the order of overcoming phobias?

• People make a list of their fears from least to greatest.

• The brain adjusts to how it responds to fears in order to manage them.

• People get control of their fears by gradually facing them.

• People try to control situations involving the different fears they have.

Which idea should be labeled 3 in the order of overcoming phobias?

• People make a list of their fears from least to greatest.

• The brain adjusts to how it responds to fears in order to manage them.

• People get control of their fears by gradually facing them.

• People try to control situations involving the different fears they have.

What is one of the reasons the author wrote this selection?

• To entertain readers with stories of how people overcame their fears

• To provide evidence that the amygdala keeps track of all strong emotions

• To persuade readers to get help if they have fears

• To tell readers about how fears and phobias work

What does the author explain in the boxed feature after paragraph 7?

• Different types of frightening activities

• Why some people cannot feel fear

• How phobias are not the same as fear

• How some people react positively to fear

Read this sentence from paragraph 9 of the selection. People fear things or situations that make them feel unsafe or unsure. What does the word unsafe mean as used in this sentence?

• Unhappy

• Insecure

• Unprepared

• Uncertain

Paragraphs 26–32 of "Fears and Phobias" describe how to overcome phobias. Label the ideas in the order in which they appear in the passage. The first idea will be labeled 1, and the last will be labeled 4.

• 1, 2, 3, 4

• 4, 3, 2, 1

• 3, 1, 4, 2

• 2, 4, 1, 3

Which of the following is an example of a common fear mentioned in the selection?

• Fear of heights

• Fear of deep water

• Fear of flying

• Fear of spiders