Reading #1

Read the passage and answer the questions!

Fear

     An emotion resulting in intense and unpleasant tension that comes about because of a real threat or the imagination of a threatening situation, as in a phobia. There may be an intense feeling of wanting to escape, together with physiological reactions, which might include weakness, dizziness, rapid breathing, rapid heartbeat, nausea, muscle tension or weakness in the knees. Different individuals have different physiological responses to fear.

     The general public often misuses the term “fear” for phobia, and vice versa. Fear is a real and knowable danger and can usually be recognized by others. On the other hand, phobia is an inappropriately fearful response to a situation and out of proportion to the real danger; the danger in a situation perceived by one as phobic cannot be seen or realized by another. Real fear is normal. Chronic phobias that cause avoidance behavior are considered anxiety disorders.

    Fear can be a helpful emotion. For example, the fear reaction enables people to get out of the way when they hear the whistle of a train. The fear reaction sets off a signal in the hypothalamus that triggers a release of adrenaline into the body. Adrenaline acts immediately to prepare the body for fight or flight. The heart beats more strongly, breathing deepens, perspiration increases to cool the body, pupils dilate to sharpen vision and the face may turn pale.

   Questions :

1          1.     What is fear?

2          2.     What is the difference between fear and phobia?

3          3.     How is the effect of fear to our body?