READING PRACTICING - GROUP 9
Exercise 1: Read the following paragraph and choose the best answer:
Most people are afraid to fully be themselves. They’re scared to embrace the parts of
themselves that might be regarded as unacceptable because they make them uncomfortable.
So to escape this uncomfortableness, they divide themselves into two halves: conscious and
unconscious. In the conscious half, they construct an ideal image of themselves: an image
formed out of their parts that they seem as good and acceptable. In the unconscious half, they
repress the parts of themselves that they view as bad and unacceptable. In Jungian
psychology, this repressed part of the personality is called The Shadow. And unless The
Shadow is integrated into the personality, a person can never reach their fullest potential.
Instead, one will always remain incomplete, fractured, and partial life of regret rather than
the full life that could have been.
Imagine, for example, that you’ve solved a few equations and convinced yourself that you’re
a great mathematician. You might meet a few friends and they tell you that they have a math
club. They gather every weekend and try to have a crack at math’s most difficult problems.
This scares you because if you join, you’ll no longer get to be the ‘great mathematician’ that
you’ve convinced yourself you are. And in this scenario, there are two possible actions you
can take. The first action is to run from your shadow and let it grow. The second action is to
come into contact with your shadow and integrate it. Although it may hurt in the short term
when you choose the second, you have chance to open up the possibility of actually
becoming a great mathematician
The path to self-improvement starts with self-acceptance. Only by embracing and integrating
our shadow, accepting the ugly parts of ourselves, and becoming who we’re afraid to be, can
we reach our fullest potential. But if we reject our shadow, if we pick and choose the parts of
our past, personality, and behavior that we like and repress the parts of ourselves we fear, we
become incomplete and partial. Instead of living a full, whole life, we live one full of regrets.
But it’s up to you to decide: will you embrace your Shadow or reject it? Would you rather
fail in actuality or succeed in mere hypotheticals?
1. What is the main message of the passage?
A. Success is only achieved by repressing one's flaws.
B. Personal growth comes from accepting and integrating all parts of oneself.
C. It’s better to live in hypotheticals than face real challenges.
D. Society shapes who we become, and we should conform to it.
2. According to the passage, why are most people afraid to fully be themselves?
A. They want to be accepted by society.
B. They are uncomfortable with their own unacceptable parts.
C. They prefer living a life of success over failure.
D. They enjoy living in regret.
3. What does the term "The Shadow" refer to in Jungian psychology?
A. The ideal version of oneself.
B. The conscious mind that drives actions.
C. The repressed part of the personality is considered bad or unacceptable.
D. The social image a person constructs to impress others.
4. What does the author want to convey through the following paragraph: “[...] And in
this scenario, there are two possible actions you can take. The first action is to run from
your shadow and let it grow. The second action is to come into contact with your shadow
and integrate it. Although it may hurt in the short term when you choose the second, you
have chance to open up the possibility of actually becoming a great mathematician”
A. Self-perception (the way you perceive yourself) is more important than reality.
B. Believing in your abilities is enough to succeed.
C. Confronting insecurities can lead to actual achievement.
D. It is better to maintain an ideal image than to face challenges.
5. What happens if someone fails to integrate their shadow, according to the passage?
A. They can still live a full and satisfying life.
B. They will remain incomplete and live a life full of regret.
C. They will be more accepted by others.
D. They will instantly achieve their full potential.
Exercice 2: Fill in the blank with NO MORE THAN TWO WORDS from the text of each
answer
Fear is something everyone experiences at different points in life. It’s a natural human
emotion that helps us stay safe by warning us of potential danger. Whether it's a fear of
failing an exam, or fear of public speaking, this feeling tells us to be cautious. However, not
all fears are based on real threats. Sometimes, fears can grow larger than necessary and start
interfering with everyday life. In extreme cases, fear can turn into a phobia, which is an
irrational, intense fear of something specific, like heights, spiders, or flying. Phobias can
make people feel anxious even in safe situations and may lead them to avoid certain
activities.
One effective way to overcome fears is through a method called "exposure therapy." This
involves gradually facing the feared object or situation in a controlled way. For example,
someone afraid of flying might begin by looking at pictures of planes, then visit an airport,
and eventually take a short flight. This step-by-step process helps reduce anxiety over time.
Besides exposure therapy, talking about fears with others can be very beneficial. Discussing
your emotions with your family can help put them in perspective and make them seem less
powerful.
Ultimately, fear is a part of life, but it doesn’t have to control it. By facing your fears and
seeking support, you can learn to manage them and live more freely. Fear may not
completely disappear, but with the right strategies, you can keep it from limiting your
experiences and personal growth.
Question 1: The natural human reaction of fear serves as a warning signal about potential
DANGER in one’s surroundings.
Question 2: A fear that grows EXTREME can lead to a phobia, which significantly impacts
a person's everyday life.
Question 3: One effective strategy for overcoming fears is through the process of
EXPOSURE THERAPY the feared situation gradually in a safe environment.
Question 4: : Talking about fears and DISCUSSING your feelings with others can be
beneficial.
Question 5: Even though fear is an unavoidable aspect of life, it should not be allowed to
CONTROL the way we experience life or grow as individuals.
Exercise 3: Read the following paragraph and decide if the statements are True (T), False
(F), or Not Given (NG)
Everybody, whether they like to admit it or not, has fears and gets anxious about certain
things. In most cases though, people cope with those fears and confront them. A phobia is the
most extreme type of fear, where it actually causes them to go to great lengths to avoid being
exposed to the fear or perceived danger, even if there’s no actual risk or danger, and people
often feel powerless against it. An irrational fear of an object is called a specific phobia.
There are two typical types of specific phobia, which are agoraphobia and social phobia.
Agoraphobia means fear of public places where it feels like it might be hard to escape
quickly and return to a place realized as “safe” like the person’s home. Therefore, people
with agoraphobia tend not to venture out very often. Some commonly feared areas might be
places like crowded shopping malls, or theaters, where it might be difficult to escape quickly.
Social phobias, on the other hand, are overwhelming and persistent fears of social situations
and interactions. People with social phobias are fearful of being embarrassed or judged by
others. Being embarrassed or feeling “awkward” in a social interaction from time to time is
totally normal, but people with social phobias often feel anxiety for weeks leading up to
events before they happen, and are afraid of doing common things in front of others.
Tailoring treatment for the specific individual’s fear is super important in effective therapy.
because different patients might respond differently depending on the therapy, especially if
other conditions are involved like depression and drug abuse. Phobias can have a serious
impact on well-being, but it is important to remember that you are not alone. Phobias are
common and treatable. If you believe that you have the symptoms of some type of phobia,
consult a doctor for further evaluation and treatment advice.
Question 1: A phobia is a fear that leads people to avoid things even when there is no real
danger. T
Question 2: People with agoraphobia tend to avoid small gatherings like family dinners. NG
Question 3: All individuals experience social phobia in their daily lives. NG
Question 4: Feeling awkward in a social situation is not always a sign of social phobia. T
Question 5: Depression and drug abuse are commonly found in people who suffer from
phobias. F
Question 6: Phobias are not treatable in any situation. NG
Question 7: Phobia therapy might need adjustments if the patient also suffers from other
conditions like depression. T
