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.

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

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

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

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.

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.

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

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