Empathy—the ability to appreciate that a stranger struggling with a suitcase not only finds his situation(1)_____ but also needs help which, (2)_____ you are not incapable yourself, you can and do(3)______—is key to Simon Baron-Cohens thesis in "Zero Degrees of Empathy". He reckons that only those who can empathise with their fellow man and who(4)_____ act in a considerate way can hope to be without malice. Cruelty(5)_____ failing to empathise with others,(6)_____ through being inconsiderate or through wilfully ignoring their pain. Some people lack empathy(7)______, others switch it off when they are tired, stressed or(8)______—telling a child not to bother you because you are working,(9)_____—and experience regret for their harsh words when their empathy(10)_____. Those whose minds(11)_____ consider their fellow traveller are not bad but(12)______, Mr. Baron-Cohen argues. For some, there is a genetic (13)_____ for why crucial parts of their brains seem disengaged while other people suffer. For others, activity in those brain areas has been subdued by some awful(14)_____ in childhood. The author champions his own parents for instilling in him(15)_____ he calls an "internal pot of gold"—a measure of self-reliance and self-confidence which he thinks is(16)_____ for developing empathy. Children learn to consider the thoughts of other people(17)_____ the minds of those who (18)_____ them are safe places to enter. A child whose mother wishes he(19)_____ exist will not want to carefully consider the thought, and will fail to develop empathy(20)_____.
(1)

A. embarrassing
B. bewildering
C. rewarding
D. challenging