Meaning: 'Debilitating' means causing a loss of strength or ability, making it difficult to function normally.

Wrong options:

• deviating: The word 'deviating' is an adjective that means straying from the standard or expected path, which does not fit the context of describing anxiety's impact.
• step: The word 'step' is a noun or verb that does not describe a quality of anxiety and is irrelevant in this context.
• whether: The word 'whether' is a conjunction used to introduce alternatives, which does not fit as it does not describe anxiety.
• trace: The word 'trace' is a noun or verb that refers to a small amount or to follow something, which does not apply to the description of anxiety.
• attack: The word 'attack' is a noun that refers to an event of sudden onset, which does not describe the nature of anxiety itself.
• regardless: The word 'regardless' is an adverb that means without paying attention to the present situation, which does not fit as it does not describe anxiety.

Correct answer: whether

Explanation: The word 'whether' is a conjunction that introduces alternatives, making it suitable for indicating the range of feelings being discussed. It connects the mild and severe feelings of unease, fitting grammatically and contextually within the sentence.

Meaning: 'Whether' is used to express a choice between alternatives, in this case, mild or severe feelings of anxiety.

Wrong options:

• debilitating: The word 'debilitating' is an adjective that describes a quality of anxiety, but it does not fit as it does not introduce alternatives.
• deviating: The word 'deviating' is an adjective that does not serve to introduce alternatives and is irrelevant in this context.
• step: The word 'step' is a noun or verb that does not relate to the introduction of alternatives and does not fit here.
• trace: The word 'trace' does not function as a conjunction and does not introduce alternatives, making it unsuitable.
• attack: The word 'attack' is a noun that refers to a specific event, which does not fit the context of discussing types of feelings.
• regardless: The word 'regardless' is an adverb that does not introduce alternatives and is not appropriate in this context.

Correct answer: attack

Explanation: The word 'attack' is a noun that refers to a sudden onset of anxiety symptoms. It fits grammatically as it serves as the subject of the phrase, and contextually, it aligns with the discussion of anxiety episodes.

Meaning: 'Attack' refers to a sudden occurrence of anxiety symptoms, often overwhelming in nature.

Wrong options:

• debilitating: The word 'debilitating' is an adjective and does not fit as a noun to describe an event related to anxiety.
• deviating: The word 'deviating' is an adjective that does not describe an event and is irrelevant in this context.
• step: The word 'step' is a noun or verb that does not relate to an event of anxiety and does not fit grammatically.
• trace: The word 'trace' does not refer to an event and is not suitable in this context.
• whether: The word 'whether' is a conjunction and does not serve as a noun to describe an anxiety event.
• regardless: The word 'regardless' is an adverb that does not describe an event and is not appropriate here.

Correct answer: step

Explanation: The word 'step' is a verb that means to take action or to move back. It fits grammatically as it serves as the action to be taken in response to anxiety, and contextually, it aligns with the idea of managing anxiety effectively.

Meaning: 'Step' means to take action or to move in a particular direction, in this case, to manage anxiety.

Wrong options:

• debilitating: The word 'debilitating' is an adjective that does not fit as a verb to describe an action taken in response to anxiety.
• deviating: The word 'deviating' is an adjective that does not describe an action and is irrelevant in this context.
• whether: The word 'whether' is a conjunction and does not serve as a verb to indicate action.
• trace: The word 'trace' does not function as a verb in this context and is not suitable for describing an action.
• attack: The word 'attack' is a noun that does not describe an action and is not appropriate here.
• regardless: The word 'regardless' is an adverb that does not describe an action and is not fitting in this context.