Question

close read: analyze the text
identify the choice that best answers the question.
the following question has two parts. answer part a first, and then part b.
part a
based on sleep paralysis: a waking nightmare, choose the words that best describe how someone might feel during an episode of sleep paralysis
a. annoyed; impatient
b. anxious; hurried
c. terrified; trapped
d. weak, exhausted
part b
which excerpt from sleep paralysis: a waking nightmare best supports the answer to part a?
a. its believed to be an unintended side effect of dreaming, when you dream, your brain sends a signal to your muscles to go limp.
b. it is a feeling of panic, entrapment and desperation so horrifying that i have difficulty describing its magnitude
c. one cannot simply tell me to wake up and tap me on the arm.
d. often i need to be shaken somewhat to be fully present.

Explanation:

• Part A: Sleep paralysis is often described as a terrifying experience where a person feels trapped (unable to move). "Terrified; trapped" (Option C) best captures the common emotional and physical sensations during an episode. "Annoyed; impatient" (A) and "weak; exhausted" (D) do not convey the core horror of the experience. "Anxious; hurried" (B) also misses the mark as "hurried" is not a typical feeling in sleep paralysis.
• Part B: Option B directly mentions "panic, entrapment and desperation" which aligns with "terrified; trapped" from Part A. Option A explains the cause of sleep paralysis (brain - muscle signal during dreaming) but not the feelings. Option C and D talk about waking up from sleep paralysis (not being able to be woken up easily and needing to be shaken) but do not address the feelings of terror and entrapment.

Answer:

Part A: C. terrified; trapped
Part B: B. "It is a feeling of panic, entrapment and desperation so horrifying that I have difficulty describing its magnitude"