Cue Card

Describe an occasion when you were scared

You should say:

• When it happened
• Where you were
• Who you were with
• Why you were scared
• And how you felt about it

Sample Part 3 Questions

1. Is it okay to frighten others?
2. How do people get frightened?
3. Do children like to scare others?
4. Why is it easy for some people to be scared?
5. What should people do when they feel scared?

Sample Cue Card Answer

I was on a solo hike in the Rocky Mountains, trekking through a dense forest, when suddenly I stumbled upon a narrow ledge with a sheer drop-off. The wind was howling, and the trees were swaying ominously, making the path feel even more treacherous. My heart started racing as I realized I had to navigate this ledge to reach the summit. I froze, my mind racing with worst-case scenarios. One wrong step, and I'd be tumbling down the mountain.

As I stood there, paralyzed with fear, I noticed a group of hikers approaching from the other side. They seemed to be gliding across the ledge with ease, their footsteps light and confident. I watched, mesmerized, as they reached the end of the ledge and turned to wave at me. Something about their nonchalance snapped me out of my trance. I took a deep breath, focused on my footing, and began to make my way across. It was a slow, agonizing process, but I made it to the other side, shaken but exhilarated.

Looking back, I realize that fear can be a powerful motivator. It can freeze us in our tracks, but it can also push us to confront our limits and tap into reservoirs of strength we never knew we had. That experience taught me to acknowledge my fears, but not let them dictate my actions. And when I'm faced with a daunting challenge, I remind myself of that ledge and the sense of pride I felt when I made it to the other side.

Cue Card Answer Key Phrases and Idioms

on edge

extremely frightened

I was scared out of my wits when I saw the snake.

She was petrified of public speaking.

Sample Part 3 Answers

Is it okay to frighten others? I don't think it's ever okay to frighten others on purpose. When I was a kid, my older brother used to love jumping out and scaring me, and it was always so startling and unpleasant. I remember feeling like my heart was racing and I couldn't catch my breath. Looking back, I realize that he was just trying to have fun, but it wasn't fun for me at all. In fact, it made me feel really anxious and on edge. I think it's really important to consider how our actions might affect others, and scaring someone on purpose can be really hurtful and damaging.

How do people get frightened? I think people get frightened when they're faced with something that's unexpected or outside of their control. For me, it's always been the unknown that's the scariest. Like, when I was a kid, I used to be terrified of thunderstorms. The loud thunder and flashes of lightning would make me feel so small and vulnerable. I think it's because I couldn't control the storm, and that lack of control was really frightening. Even now, I still get a little nervous during storms, but I've learned to manage my fear by finding ways to distract myself and feel more grounded.

Do children like to scare others? I think some children might enjoy scaring others, but it's not necessarily because they're mean-spirited. When kids are young, they're still learning about boundaries and social cues, and sometimes they might not realize that scaring someone can be hurtful. I remember when my little cousin was going through a phase where she loved playing pranks on her siblings, and at first, it was kind of cute. But as she got older, she started to realize that her pranks were actually scaring her siblings, and she began to tone it down. I think it's really important for kids to learn empathy and understand how their actions affect others.

Why is it easy for some people to be scared? I think some people might be more prone to fear because of their personality or past experiences. For me, I've always been a bit of a worrier, and I tend to imagine worst-case scenarios. I think this is because I've had some experiences in the past where things didn't go as planned, and it's left me with a bit of anxiety. But I've also learned that this anxiety can be a good thing, because it motivates me to prepare and be more cautious. However, for some people, their fear might be more debilitating, and it's not just about being cautious – it's about being overwhelmed by their emotions.

What should people do when they feel scared? When I feel scared, I think it's really important to acknowledge those feelings and not try to suppress them. Instead, I try to take a step back, breathe, and remind myself that I'm safe. I also try to focus on the present moment and what I can control, rather than worrying about the unknown. Sometimes, talking to someone I trust can also help me feel more grounded and calm. I think it's really important to have a support system and not be afraid to reach out for help when we need it. And finally, I try to remind myself that fear is a normal emotion, and it's okay to feel scared – it's how we respond to that fear that matters.

Part 3 Key Phrases and Idioms

on edge

feeling anxious or nervous

I was on edge during the thunderstorm

outside of their control

something that someone cannot influence or manage

The storm was outside of my control

manage my fear

to deal with or control one's fear

I learned to manage my fear by finding ways to distract myself

mean-spirited

having or showing a cruel or unkind nature

I don't think the kids were mean-spirited, they just didn't realize the impact of their actions

worst-case scenario

the most unfavorable or unpleasant outcome

I tend to imagine the worst-case scenario

overwhelmed by their emotions

completely dominated or controlled by one's emotions

Some people might be overwhelmed by their fear

take a step back

to pause or stop what you are doing to think or reflect

I took a step back and breathed

grounded

feeling calm and stable

Talking to someone helped me feel more grounded