Q 01/05

Arachnophobia is the fear of which creatures?

A) Snakes

B) Bats

C) Spiders

D) Birds

Answer · why

C) Spiders

It is among the most common phobias, affecting an estimated 3.5 to 6.1% of people, and it lent its name to a 1990 Steven Spielberg-produced 'thrill-om...

Q 02/05

Acrophobia is the fear of what?

A) Heights

B) Open spaces

C) Crowds

D) Flying

Answer · why

A) Heights

Along with spiders and snakes, it is one of the three most common specific phobias.

Q 03/05

Coulrophobia is the fear of what?

A) Colours

B) Cold

C) Cliffs

D) Clowns

Answer · why

D) Clowns

The word only appeared in the late 1980s or 1990s; a 2022 study found 54% of respondents felt at least some degree of it.

Q 04/05

The 'coulro-' in coulrophobia comes from a Greek word meaning what?

A) Painted face

B) Stilt-walker

C) Jester

D) Laughing mask

Answer · why

B) Stilt-walker

Ancient Greek had no clowns as such, so the coiners borrowed kolobathristes; Oxford Dictionaries only added the word in 2010.

Q 05/05

Someone with claustrophobia fears what?

A) Deep water

B) Loud noises

C) Confined spaces

D) Being alone

Answer · why

C) Confined spaces

The word comes from the Latin claustrum, 'a shut-in place'; crowded lifts and MRI scanners are classic triggers.