Terrorists use ___, which means to use fear as a tool to focus attention on their cause.

Terrorists use ___, which means to use fear as a tool to focus attention on their cause.

• A. Propaganda
• B. Extortion
• C. Fear mongering
• D. Vandalism

Answer: (C)

The question tests recognizing a term for using fear to influence people. Fear mongering means spreading alarm or exaggerated threats to sway opinions, behaviors, or to draw attention to a cause. In terrorism, portraying a situation as dire or imminent is used to pressure audiences, gain sympathy, or justify actions—this is the essence of fear mongering. Propaganda is broader messaging to shape beliefs and actions and may use fear among other tactics, but the specific aim of instilling fear to focus attention is the hallmark of fear mongering. Extortion involves threats to obtain something of value, not primarily about manipulating attention to a cause. Vandalism is property damage, not a tactic used to sway opinion through fear.

The question tests recognizing a term for using fear to influence people. Fear mongering means spreading alarm or exaggerated threats to sway opinions, behaviors, or to draw attention to a cause. In terrorism, portraying a situation as dire or imminent is used to pressure audiences, gain sympathy, or justify actions—this is the essence of fear mongering.

Propaganda is broader messaging to shape beliefs and actions and may use fear among other tactics, but the specific aim of instilling fear to focus attention is the hallmark of fear mongering. Extortion involves threats to obtain something of value, not primarily about manipulating attention to a cause. Vandalism is property damage, not a tactic used to sway opinion through fear.