Fear of crime
Choose the one correct answer.
It would come as a surprise to many that the concept of fear of crime is a recent invention. However, prior to the mid-1960s the term was never used, and certainly not in the sense we use it today. This may not on the face of it seem very significant; terms, ideas and language continually change. However, fear of crime is more than simply a term to describe a physical or psychological reaction to the threat or perceived threat of victimization. Rather, it is now seen as a quantifiable, measurable, social scientific object, a policy target and a political issue. Read the text and answer the multiple-choice question by selecting the correct response. Only one response is correct.
This information suggests that the key way in which the concept of fear of crime has changed is that _____
- Ait is now regarded as a measurable phenomenon, which can be addressed through government policies.
- Bbefore the 1960s it was linked to victimization without being linked to more commonly held views about violence.
- Cbefore the 1960s it referred to personal issues whereas now it refers to abstract issues. it was previously conceived in physical terms, whereas it is now seen in psychological terms.
Opens question #080123 in the RealPTE practice screen.
More Reading: Multiple Choice, Single Answer questions
Reading: Multiple Choice, Single Answer format (Pearson)
Pearson's name: Multiple Choice, Single Answer
| Prompt | Text up to 110 words |
|---|---|
| Time to answer | Not set per question (Part 2 lasts 23–30 minutes) |
| Skills assessed | Reading |
How it is scored
- Scored as either correct or incorrect.
Source: Pearson, PTE Academic & UKVI test format, Part 2: Reading, checked 9 October 2026.