Global View - Phobias (C0302)

A: Are you excited about your trip next month?
B: Yes and no. I can’t wait to go to Europe, but at the same time I am terrified.
A: Why?
B: Well, I have aerophobia. I have a chronic fear of flying.
A: Oh really? I have an uncle who is also terrified of flying. It’s not that bad though, I mean, it is pretty scary to be in this big machine flying through the air at seven hundred miles per hour. I actually have arachnophobia.
B: You’re scared of spiders? I actually have two more phobias. Acrophobia and glossophobia.
A: I guess that explains why you are afraid of flying, but public speaking is not that bad.
B: Are you kidding? When I get on stage, my palms start to sweat, I get really nervous and I can hardly speak.
A: Well, I must confess I am a bit claustrophobic. I hate being in an elevator for more than 5 seconds.
B: We are such weirdos right?

Key Vocabulary

trip journey to a place
terrify to fill with terror or alarm; make greatly afraid
aerophobia an abnormal fear of drafts of air, gases, or airborne matter
chronic constant, habitual
phobia irrational fear of a specific object, activity
glossophobia the fear of public speaking
Acrophobia a pathological fear of heights
sweat to excrete (perspiration, moisture, etc.) through the pores of the skin
nervous being worried about what might happen
kidding fool or joke
claustrophobia an abnormal fear of being in enclosed or narrow places.
confess To admit or acknowledge something damaging
weirdo a strange person

Supplementary Vocabulary

Venustraphobia the fear of beautiful women
panic a sudden overwhelming fear
scary causing fright or alarm.

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