Understanding the Analogy

The question presents an analogy based on the increasing order of intensity. The symbol '→' signifies progression from a lower level to a higher level.

Analyzing Word Intensity

The first set of words, 'walk → jog → sprint', demonstrates increasing physical intensity or speed:

• Walk: Low intensity.
• Jog: Medium intensity.
• Sprint: High intensity.

The second set, 'bothered → ________ → daunted', requires a word that fits the same pattern of increasing emotional intensity or level of disturbance.

• Bothered: Indicates mild concern or slight disturbance.
• Daunted: Indicates significant intimidation or discouragement.
• The missing word should represent a state between mildly disturbed and significantly intimidated.

Evaluating Options

Let's examine the given options to find the word that fits the intermediate level:

• Phased: Relates to arrangement or gradual movement, not emotional state.
• Phrased: Relates to expressing something, not an emotional state.
• Fazed: Means disturbed, disconcerted, or troubled. This fits the intermediate level between 'bothered' and 'daunted'. Someone who is 'fazed' is more disturbed than merely 'bothered' but less intimidated than 'daunted'.
• Fused: Means to blend or join together, irrelevant to emotional states.

Therefore, 'fazed' appropriately fills the blank to maintain the analogy of increasing emotional intensity.

The completed analogy is: [bothered → fazed → daunted].