rattled?

[Dr.Appalayya]

The children who were doing their homework suddenly saw a snake with a hood; then, they were.....(rattled, panicked) How do you describe the mental condition of the children.

In similar case like that is:
The burglars who were packing the stolen goods suddenly saw the home owner standing before them. How do you describe the mental condition of the burglars.

[pyoung]

The children who were doing their homework suddenly saw a snake with a hood; then, they were.....(rattled, panicked) How do you describe the mental condition of the children.

In similar case like that is:
The burglars who were packing the stolen goods suddenly saw the home owner standing before them. How do you describe the mental condition of the burglars.

Dear Dr. Appalayya:

I think the children would be more likely to panic. 'Rattled' is used when something happens that causes one to lose one's composure, but it is less dramatic than 'panicked':
As I was speaking, the projector lost power and I was forced to go on without the visual component of my presentation. Needless to say, I was a bit rattled at first, but I got through it.'
As for the burglars, they may have been 'speechless', and/or 'stunned.' They may have begun to 'tremble in fear' or they may have regained their presence of mind quickly and fled through a window.

I hope this is helpful,

Petra

[Anglika]

The children who were doing their homework suddenly saw a snake with a hood; then, they were.....(rattled, panicked) How do you describe the mental condition of the children.

In similar case like that is:
The burglars who were packing the stolen goods suddenly saw the home owner standing before them. How do you describe the mental condition of the burglars.

Probably "Scared out of their wits".

The burglars are more likely to be rattled.

[konungursvia]

A snake with a hood is a cobra; petrified is the word I'd suggest.