Taming the Fear Monster

“Taming the Fear Monster” states that fear is a survival tool. How does fear help us survive? Choose TWO answers.

• A It increases our heart rate, which helps us stay in shape

• B It helps us avoid dangerous situations.

• C It helps us figure out whether we are acting rationally or irrationally

• D It helps us respond quickly to danger.

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2. Based on how phobias are defined in the article, which of the following is a phobia?

• A being nervous about giving a presentation

• B being so afraid of dogs that you won’t visit a friend whose family has a calm, friendly dog

• C feeling a mix of excitement and terror at the top of a roller coaster’s big hill

• D worrying that a growling dog might bite you

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3. According to the article, if Ann has arachnophobia (fear of spiders), what should she do?

• A avoid spiders completely

• B lock herself in a room full of spiders for an hour

• C work with a mental health professional so that she can be exposed to spiders in a gradual, controlled way

• D spend time with people wearing costumes

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4. At the end of “Conquering Fear,” the elder says, “Miobe has brought us the monster. Its name is fear.” The elder is saying that

• A he has a fear of toads.

• B our own fear can threaten us as much as or more than any outside danger

• C the toad’s name is also Miobe.

• D we should not feel embarrassed to feel fear

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5. “Conquering Fear” is an adaptation of an Ethiopian folktale. You can conclude that a likely purpose of this folktale is to

• A share wisdom about the nature of fear.

• B explain the biology of fear.

• C warn people not to climb mountains.

• D show how ideas about overcoming fear have changed over time.

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6. Both “Taming the Fear Monster” and “Conquering Fear” support the idea that

• A to overcome a fear, you must face the thing you are afraid of.

• B to overcome a phobia, you should work with a mental health professional.

• C all fear is irrational.

• D fear helps keep us healthy and safe.

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7. What is the Exposure Response and Prevention technique, and how can it help someone overcome a phobia? Use details from “Taming the Fear Monster” to support your answers.

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8. In “Conquering Fear,” an elder tells Miobe, “Our village is threatened by a monster.” Is the elder right? Explain, using details from the story to support your answer.

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What is a phobia?

• an extreme, lasting irrational fear of something

• to go away slowly

• to crouch down or curl up because you're afraid of something

• someone who is older than you

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What is the definition of cower?

• an extreme, lasting irrational fear of something

• to go away slowly

• to crouch down or curl up because you're afraid of something

• someone who is older than you

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