Meaning: 'Reserved' means set aside for a particular purpose or person, in this case, a specific diagnosis for certain patients.

Wrong options:

• introverted: 'Introverted' is an adjective describing a personality type, which does not fit as it does not describe the nature of the diagnosis.
• affects: 'Affects' is a verb that does not grammatically fit in this context as it does not describe the diagnosis itself.
• result: 'Result' is a noun that does not fit grammatically as it does not describe the nature of the diagnosis.
• persist: 'Persist' is a verb that does not fit as it does not describe the diagnosis but rather the behavior of the patients.
• healthy: 'Healthy' is an adjective that describes a state of being, which does not fit as it does not describe the diagnosis.
• rides: 'Rides' is a verb that does not relate to the context of diagnosis and does not fit grammatically or contextually.
• spare: 'Spare' is an adjective that means extra or additional, which does not fit the context of a diagnosis.

Correct answer: persist

Explanation: The verb 'persist' indicates the ongoing nature of the patients' fears. It fits grammatically as it follows the subject 'fears' and aligns with the context of the sentence, which discusses the duration of these fears.

Meaning: 'Persist' means to continue firmly in a course of action despite difficulty or opposition.

Wrong options:

• introverted: 'Introverted' is an adjective that does not fit grammatically or contextually as it does not describe the action of fears.
• reserved: 'Reserved' is an adjective that does not fit as it does not describe the action of fears.
• result: 'Result' is a noun that does not fit grammatically as it does not describe the action of fears.
• affects: 'Affects' is a verb that does not fit in this context as it does not describe the duration of fears.
• healthy: 'Healthy' is an adjective that does not relate to the action of fears and does not fit grammatically.
• rides: 'Rides' is a verb that does not relate to the context of fears and does not fit grammatically or contextually.
• spare: 'Spare' is an adjective that does not fit as it does not describe the action of fears.

Correct answer: healthy

Explanation: The word 'healthy' is an adjective that describes the state of the patients after being reassured by doctors. It fits grammatically as it describes the noun 'them' and aligns with the context of discussing the patients' health status.

Meaning: 'Healthy' means being in good health or free from disease.

Wrong options:

• introverted: 'Introverted' is an adjective that describes a personality type and does not fit as it does not describe the health status of the patients.
• affects: 'Affects' is a verb that does not fit grammatically as it does not describe the state of the patients.
• result: 'Result' is a noun that does not fit grammatically as it does not describe the health status of the patients.
• persist: 'Persist' is a verb that does not relate to the health status and does not fit in this context.
• reserved: 'Reserved' is an adjective that does not describe health and does not fit in this context.
• rides: 'Rides' is a verb that does not relate to health and does not fit grammatically or contextually.
• spare: 'Spare' is an adjective that does not fit as it does not describe the health status of the patients.

Correct answer: affects

Explanation: The verb 'affects' indicates the action of hypochondria on individuals. It fits grammatically as it follows the subject 'hypochondria' and aligns with the context of discussing its impact on men and women.

Meaning: 'Affects' means to have an influence on or make a change in something.

Wrong options:

• introverted: 'Introverted' is an adjective that does not fit grammatically or contextually as it does not describe the action of hypochondria.
• reserved: 'Reserved' is an adjective that does not fit as it does not describe the action of hypochondria.
• result: 'Result' is a noun that does not fit grammatically as it does not describe the action of hypochondria.
• persist: 'Persist' is a verb that does not fit in this context as it does not describe the action of hypochondria.
• healthy: 'Healthy' is an adjective that does not relate to the action of hypochondria and does not fit grammatically or contextually.
• rides: 'Rides' is a verb that does not relate to the context of hypochondria and does not fit grammatically or contextually.
• spare: 'Spare' is an adjective that does not fit as it does not describe the action of hypochondria.

Correct answer: introverted

Explanation: The word 'introverted' is an adjective that describes a personality trait of certain individuals. It fits grammatically as it describes the noun 'traits' and aligns with the context of discussing personality types related to hypochondria.

Meaning: 'Introverted' refers to a personality type characterized by a focus on internal thoughts and feelings rather than external stimuli.

Wrong options:

• affects: 'Affects' is a verb that does not fit grammatically or contextually as it does not describe a personality trait.
• result: 'Result' is a noun that does not fit grammatically as it does not describe a personality trait.
• persist: 'Persist' is a verb that does not relate to personality traits and does not fit in this context.
• healthy: 'Healthy' is an adjective that describes a state of being and does not fit as it does not describe a personality trait.
• reserved: 'Reserved' is an adjective that describes a state of being and does not fit as it does not describe a personality trait.
• rides: 'Rides' is a verb that does not relate to personality traits and does not fit grammatically or contextually.
• spare: 'Spare' is an adjective that does not fit as it does not describe a personality trait.