(1) Read the story. (2) Tell the story in your own words. (3) Ask the questions.
| Taste of Fear | |
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Vocabulary
sampled = to taste a small amount boost = to increase or improve adrenaline = a hormone produced when frightened, angry or excited
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| A new study in Psychological Science finds that people rate food as tastier when someone nearby is holding a gun—and even more so when the gun is pointed straight at them. In the experiment, 96 university volunteers sampled bite-sized snacks while an assistant stood either holding a clipboard, holding a handgun at their side, or aiming the handgun directly at the participant (the weapon was unloaded and secured). Taste ratings showed a slight increase in the “gun at side” condition compared with the clipboard, but rose sharply in the “direct aim” group, where participants described the snacks as “sweeter,” “richer,” and “surprisingly meaningful.”
Lead author Dr. Schenke suggested that the boost might come from adrenaline, pointing to prior studies linking fear to heightened senses, but admitted he had “no clue” why fear might enhance flavor. |
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| Comprehension Questions |
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| Discussion Questions |
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