[b][size=3][color=#000080]Read the sentences about [/color][i][color=#ff4500]phobias[/color][/i][color=#000080]. Then read the text. Are the sentences true (T) or false (F)? Check [/color][color=#ff4500]ONLY[/color][color=#000080] the [/color][color=#ff4500]True [/color][color=#000080]ones.[/color][/size][/b]





[table][tr][td][b][color=#ff4500]Phobias

[/color][/b]

Go up to anyone and ask them what they're afraid of and it is likely that they will say things like small spaces, heights, flying, dogs or spiders.  There will usually be a logical explanation for their fear - something will have happened in their childhood.  They might have been bitten by a dog when they were small.  They could have got stuck in a crowded lift for an hour.  They may have been on a very bumpy flight. 



There are, however, a number of highly unusual fears, or phobias, for which the explanation is harder to find.  Doctors define a phobia as 'a constant, extreme or irrational fear of an animal, object, place or situation'.  Some of these phobias will have little effect on someone's quality of life - for example, globophobia (a fear of balloons).   Others, however, are far more serious.  If you suffer from agoraphobia (a fear of being way from home), you will find it almost impossible to lead a normal life.  And this phobia will affect not only you, but those around you.



In this article we've interviewed several people who have unusual phobias to see how their phobia affects the way they live.



Molly seems to be a well-balanced young woman, but show her a picture of a chicken and she starts to sweat and breathe very rapidly.  She has alektorophobia. She told us that when she was a child she used to spend her summer holidays on her grandmother's farm where she had to feed the chickens.  She was always afraid of the bigger ones and after one attacked her, she was never able to go near them again.  As she lives in a big city now, it isn't something which affects her daily life but she certainly doesn't eat chicken and couldn't even go to see the film Chicken Run!



Tom has melanophobia (a fear of the colour black).  He remembers feeling left out when he was at school as all his friends used to wear black all the time.  He would feel sick and have to go home whenever he was surrounded by too much black.  If you go to his house, you will notice that he loves bright, sunny colours.  He has had hypnotherapy for his condition and is able to keep it under control now but he has no idea where this phobia came from.



More seriously, Anna suffers from agyraphobia, a fear of crossing the street.  This affects so many aspects of her life that it is hard to imagine how she manages.  She has tried many different treatments and is finally starting to feel better, but it has been a long struggle and she longs for the day when she can run across a street without thinking about it.



If you suffer from an unusual phobia, we'd love to hear from you so please write in and share your story.[/td][/tr][/table]

[b][size=3]Complete the sentences. Use the words in the box and a suitable [color=#ff4500][i]prefix[/i][/color].  There are some words you don't need to use.[/size][/b]



[table][tr][td]comfortable        formal        legal          expensive        responsible      logical polite          possible          healthy             afraid[/td][/tr][/table]



I feel really ... about not inviting Louisa to my party.

[b][size=3]Complete the sentences. Use the words in the box and a suitable [color=#ff4500][i]prefix[/i][/color].  There are some words you don't need to use.

[/size][/b]

[table][tr][td]comfortable        formal        legal          expensive        responsible      logical polite          possible          healthy             afraid[/td][/tr][/table]



Your behaviour is totally ... and childish.  What's wrong with you?

[b][size=3]Complete the sentences. Use the words in the box and a suitable [color=#ff4500][i]prefix[/i][/color].  There are some words you don't need to use.[/size][/b]



[table][tr][td]comfortable        formal        legal          expensive        responsible      logical polite          possible          healthy             afraid[/td][/tr][/table]



It's ... to park on a double yellow line and if you're caught, you'll have to pay a fine.

[b][size=3]Complete the sentences. Use the words in the box and a suitable [color=#ff4500][i]prefix[/i][/color].  There are some words you don't need to use.[/size][/b]



[table][tr][td]comfortable        formal        legal          expensive        responsible      logical polite          possible          healthy             afraid[/td][/tr][/table]



It's ... for humans to fly unaided.