Civil Service Personality Practice Test

What does it mean if a person bottles up their feelings?

1. They express their feelings openly.

2. They avoid dealing with emotions entirely.

3. They keep their emotional state private.

4. They are honest with others about their feelings.

The correct answer is: They keep their emotional state private.

When someone bottles up their feelings, it means they are choosing to keep their emotional state private rather than expressing it openly or addressing it directly. This behavior often involves repressing emotions, which can lead to internal stress or emotional turmoil. Those who bottle up their feelings may feel overwhelmed yet choose to keep their struggles to themselves, believing that talking about them is unnecessary or even uncomfortable. The other options depict contrasting behaviors: expressing feelings openly suggests a willingness to share and communicate, which is the opposite of bottling up. Avoiding emotions entirely implies a complete disengagement from feelings rather than just keeping them private, while being honest with others signifies open communication and emotional transparency. Therefore, keeping one's emotional state private aligns perfectly with the concept of bottling up feelings.