Which of the following describes the emotional response characterized by apprehension about future events?

The emotional response characterized by apprehension about future events is best described as anxiety. Anxiety involves a state of worry or unease about potential threats or negative outcomes that have not yet occurred. It manifests as an anticipatory feeling, reflecting concern over what might happen rather than focusing on immediate danger, which distinguishes it from fear. Fear is typically a response to a known or immediate threat, while anxiety may be more generalized and can be related to various situations or uncertainties.

In addition, the other terms, although related to an emotional response, do not specifically capture this sense of apprehension about future events: panic refers to an intense, sudden fear that can feel overwhelming, nervousness denotes a mild state of being unsettled or jittery, and while all these emotions can overlap to some extent, anxiety more precisely encompasses the persistent worry about future possibilities.