Fort Worth Police Department (FWPD) Practice Test

What does a person likely feel when someone in authority wishes to speak with them and they wonder what they've done wrong?

1. Excited

2. Anxious

3. Curious

4. Reclusive

The correct answer is: Anxious

When someone in authority wishes to speak with a person, it's common for that individual to feel anxious, particularly if they suspect they’ve done something wrong. This anxiety stems from uncertainty and apprehension about the conversation’s content, leading to feelings of worry about potential consequences or judgments. The authority figure's position can amplify these feelings, as individuals often associate them with power and decision-making that may directly impact their situation. In contrast, feelings of excitement usually arise from positive or uplifting circumstances, such as good news or a celebratory event. Curiosity may be present, but it's typically paired with a more neutral or positive expectation rather than dread or apprehension. Reclusiveness involves a tendency to withdraw from social interactions and does not accurately capture the immediate emotional response to authority figures in a potentially negative context. Thus, anxiety is the most fitting reaction in this scenario.