Reading Comprehension on Anxiety and History

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Questions and Answers

What is identified as a key reason people experience anxiety?

A lack of financial resources

Support from friends and family

The constant state of fear and self-blame (correct)

Busy lifestyles that distract from thoughts

Which characteristic is indicative of an anxious person?

Easily forgets to check their insurance

Avoids assessing risks while driving

Often takes risks without a second thought

Regularly keeps car insurance updated and responsible while driving (correct)

Why doesn't the writer consider savages and peasants anxious?

They live in isolation and do not engage with society.

They have fewer responsibilities.

They are preoccupied with their daily tasks. (correct)

They do not have access to information about the world.

What is a common consequence of anxiety on behavior mentioned?

Proactive measures to ensure personal safety Signup and view all the answers

How does the writer define anxiety in relation to personal safety?

As a driving force for self-care and responsibility Signup and view all the answers

What does the phrase 'something unspecified and undeterminable may go wrong' convey?

An intuitive awareness of potential dangers Signup and view all the answers

What assumption about previous eras does the writer express?

There is no one left to confirm their true nature. Signup and view all the answers

What is a side effect of increased awareness in modern society?

An increase in feelings of distress and anxiety Signup and view all the answers

What do critics often label as the primary issue affecting modern man?

Anxiety Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following is mentioned as a contrast to the age of anxiety?

Self-confidence Signup and view all the answers

According to the content, what is a significant fear experienced by the untouched savage in New Guinea?

Fear of external threats Signup and view all the answers

How does the anxiety of modern individuals differ from the concerns of peasant populations?

Peasant populations face physical needs and safety threats. Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following best describes the emotional state of the simple peasant as suggested in the text?

Fearful and hungry Signup and view all the answers

What underlying theme is suggested by the comparison between modern anxiety and historical contexts?

Every age has its unique set of challenges. Signup and view all the answers

Which emotional states are listed as the opposites of anxiety?

Trust and control Signup and view all the answers

Which statement reflects a misconception about pre-modern societies as discussed?

They experienced less strife than modern man. Signup and view all the answers

What contributes to the feeling of anxiety in individuals according to the content?

An undefined sense of unease Signup and view all the answers

How does excessive anxiety potentially affect a person's driving behavior?

They might refuse to drive altogether. Signup and view all the answers

What is suggested as a hopeful outcome for society concerning mental health?

Greater access to genuine mental health care Signup and view all the answers

In an anxious state, why do individuals maintain high levels of caution, such as checking their car brakes?

They feel a sense of impending doom that motivates vigilance. Signup and view all the answers

What is a primary factor causing anxiety as highlighted in the content?

Uncertainty about who or what to blame Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following factors is NOT mentioned as a contributor to anxiety?

Economic stability Signup and view all the answers

How do people who do not experience enough anxiety typically behave while driving?

They take excessive risks, increasing accident likelihood. Signup and view all the answers

What does the increase in people consulting psychiatrists indicate about society?

A growing awareness of mental health issues. Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Reading Comprehension Exam Notes

Anxiety as a Defining Trait: Critics often characterize modern times as the "age of anxiety," contrasting it with supposed eras of security and trust.
Contrast with Past Eras: Critics posit that previous ages valued trust, self-confidence, and self-direction, overlooking hardships faced in those times.
Misconception of Past Life: Descriptions of simpler times (e.g., South Sea islanders, peasants, craftsmen) are often idealized, ignoring potential hardships like fear of enemies, hunger, and violence. Evidence suggests those periods were not as idyllic as portrayed.
Anxiety's Source: Anxiety isn't necessarily tied to a specific locus (place or person), but rather a feeling that something negative or uncertain might happen. This uncertainty can arise even in seemingly stable situations.
Modern Anxieties: Modern anxieties stem from the awareness of potential for both good times and bad, the fear of the unknown and the knowledge that those good times might end. People are concerned about issues like war, famine, political instability, and even the possibility of global catastrophe.
Anxiety and Safety: Anxiety implies a certain level of perceived safety. It is the relative ease of life and the lack of imminent threats that lead to feelings of anxiety that something could go wrong.
Modern Anxiety and Wellbeing: Current levels of anxiety should not necessarily be seen as problems because people now have possible solutions for many issues and hope for future wellbeing. Elevated rates of consultations with mental health professionals can be an indication of the desire and potential for better mental health and wellbeing.
Vocabulary:
- Repudiate: Reject
- Castigate: Criticize
- Trust: Faith
- Stoop: Bend down
- Meager: Small or poor
- Blame: Excuse
- Unease: Anxiety
- Toll: Loss or deaths
- Consult: Seek advice
- Menace: Threat

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Description

This quiz examines the themes of anxiety in modern times compared to past eras. It highlights misconceptions about historical life and explores the sources of modern anxieties. Test your understanding of these concepts in reading comprehension.