Comprehension Quiz

6 questions

0/6

Why do some experts compare airports to “thin places”?

They are physically small

They have weak internet connections

They are sacred religious sites

They blur the boundaries of time, place, and identity

What does the article suggest is a cause of increased antisocial behavior in airports?

New airport architecture

Cold weather

Stress, disorientation, and alcohol consumption

Lack of airport staff

How does anxiety affect behavior, according to the article?

It increases irritability and can lead to anger

It causes happiness

It has no effect on behavior

It improves decision-making

What does Freud’s theory contribute to the article’s explanation of airport behavior?

It explains how suppressed instincts may emerge in unstructured environments

It describes how time zones affect the brain

It promotes yoga in airports

It warns against thin places

According to environmental psychology, why might airports overwhelm people?

The air pressure is too high

There is too much food

People fear elevators

Sensory overload from noise, crowds, and stimuli

What possible benefit does the article mention about the disorienting nature of airports?

It can feel freeing and exciting for some people

It encourages healthy eating

It shortens travel times

It improves memory

Match Words to Their Contextual Definitions

Drag words to match with their definitions. Progress: 0/5 words attempted

You must attempt to move all words to complete the exercise.

Words

Definitions

The pursuit of pleasure as a goal

Confusion about time, place, or identity

Existing at a threshold or transitional phase

Based on natural impulses, not reason

Study of emotional effects of environments

Match Words to Their Contextual Synonyms

Drag words to match with their definitions. Progress: 0/5 words attempted

You must attempt to move all words to complete the exercise.

Words

Definitions

Control

Excess

Unclear

Hold back

Irritation

Discussion Questions

Have you ever experienced unusual behavior—your own or others'—in an airport? What might explain it?

Do you think limiting alcohol in airports would help reduce problematic behavior? Why or why not?

How do you respond to “liminal spaces” in life—moments between jobs, cities, or relationships? Are they stressful or freeing for you?

Between Worlds: Why Airports Make Us Act Strangely

June 10, 2025•5 min read•International•Intermediate