“Why is it fun to be frightened?” By Margee Kerr in 2018

Question

What does the author learn from her study about fear?

B. People who are scared have an emotional high for days following the experience.
C. People’s brains shut down during and after the experience, making them unable to feel fear.
D.People often aren’t as scared as they anticipated being, which leaves them relieved.
A. People who are scared by an experience are in a better mood after being scared

Answer 1

The correct answer based on the context of Margee Kerr's study about fear would be:

A. People who are scared by an experience are in a better mood after being scared.

This option aligns with the idea that experiencing fear in a controlled environment can lead to positive emotional outcomes, such as increased happiness and mood improvement after the experience. This is consistent with the psychological benefits derived from engaging with fear in a fun or thrilling context, such as amusement parks or horror movies.

Answer 2

What are the benefits of fun-scary experiences?

A. They help people practice facing their fears in safe settings and can make people feel accomplished.
B. They get the blood pumping which is good for the physical health of the human body.
C. They make people more paranoid and aware of their surroundings.
D. They reassure people that scary experiences only take place on screens.

Answer 3

The most accurate answer regarding the benefits of fun-scary experiences is:

A. They help people practice facing their fears in safe settings and can make people feel accomplished.

This option reflects the idea that engaging with fear—such as through horror movies, haunted houses, or thrill rides—can provide a safe way to confront fears, ultimately leading to feelings of accomplishment and the ability to manage anxiety.

Answer 4

How does the author conclude this article?
A. By encouraging people to take their friends to fun-scary events to benefit them.
B. By admitting that scary experiences sometimes have negative effects on people.
D. By reiterating the benefits of being scared, while reminding people that not everyone likes it.
C. By showing how enjoying fear is a universal response that is felt the same way by everyone

Answer 5

The correct answer regarding how the author concludes the article is:

D. By reiterating the benefits of being scared, while reminding people that not everyone likes it.

This option reflects a balanced conclusion that highlights the positive aspects of fun-scary experiences, while also acknowledging that individual preferences regarding fear and thrill can vary.

Answer 6

from this story write a Objective Summary:An accurate description, in your own words, of a text which defines the who, what, where, when, why, and how of an article by using key points.
Think:
Somebody
Wanted
But
So
Then

Answer 7

Objective Summary:

Somebody: Margee Kerr, a sociologist and expert on fear.

Wanted: To explore why people find enjoyment in frightening experiences and what benefits these experiences might offer.

But: Despite common perceptions that fear is inherently negative, Kerr discovered that many people actually feel good after experiencing fear in controlled environments.

So: Kerr conducted research to understand the emotional and psychological effects of fun-scary activities, discovering that they can help individuals face their fears, boost mood, and provide a sense of accomplishment.

Then: She concluded that while many people enjoy the thrill of fear, it’s important to recognize that not everyone shares this preference, emphasizing the diverse responses to fear and the benefits it can provide in enjoyable contexts.

Answer 8

Multiple Choice Assessment Questions

1. PART A: Which statement identifies the central idea of the text?
A. Whether the scary experience is real or not, people often feel a sense of relief after they experience what is easily mistaken for elation.
B. While the brain function of some people decreases following a scare, other people experience increased brain function related to stress.
C. Experiencing fun-scary things together has proven to strengthen bonds between people and make relationships last longer.
D. Many people who willingly engage in scary experiences in safe settings experience positive reactions in their brains.

Answer 9

The statement that identifies the central idea of the text is:

D. Many people who willingly engage in scary experiences in safe settings experience positive reactions in their brains.

This option encapsulates the overall premise of the article, which discusses the positive emotional and psychological effects of engaging in fearful but controlled experiences.

Answer 10

2. PART B: Which detail from the text best supports the answer to Part A?

A. “Over the course of about 35 minutes, visitors experienced a series of intense scenarios where, in addition to unsettling characters and special effects, they were touched by the actors, restrained, and exposed to electricity.” (Paragraph 7)
B. “In other words, highly intense and scary activities — at least in a controlled environment like this haunted attraction — may ‘shut down’ the brain to an extent, and that in turn is associated with feeling better.” (Paragraph 11)
C. “Doing intense, exciting, and thrilling things together can make them more fun and help create rewarding social bonds.” (Paragraph 16)
D. “While the fight-or-flight response is universal, there are important differences between individuals — for example, in genetic expressions, environment, and personal history — that help explain why some loathe and others love thrills and chills.” (Paragraph 17)

Answer 11

The detail from the text that best supports the answer to Part A is:

B. “In other words, highly intense and scary activities — at least in a controlled environment like this haunted attraction — may ‘shut down’ the brain to an extent, and that in turn is associated with feeling better.” (Paragraph 11)

This statement directly relates to the central idea by explaining how engaging in scary experiences can lead to positive emotional responses in the brain, thus supporting the notion that people who willingly engage in such experiences may experience beneficial reactions.