empathy

Empathy sees the situation and feeling behind the mistake. In exams write feeling and situation.

Kezia fears her father because of his strict manner and scolding. However, she also longs for his affection and later understands that he cares for her. Thus, her feelings combine fear and affection; hatred or indifference does not describe her attitude accurately. Exam tip: Remember how Kezia’s view of her father changes from the beginning to the end of the story.

Lack of empathy increases fear in a relationship. In exams connect harsh reaction with lack of empathy.

Father makes Kezia safe during fear. In exams connect protective affection with empathy.

Kezia is a sensitive child who is already frightened by her father's strict manner. Her loneliness deepens her insecurity and fear, so option C is correct. The Macdonald family represents a warm family relationship for her; it is not the cause of her loneliness. Exam tip: connect a character's feelings with her behaviour and family environment.

At the end father's support changes her belief. In exams write understanding of love as the final result.

Empathy means understanding another person’s feelings and supporting them when needed. When Kezia is afraid, her father’s support makes her feel safe and helps her trust him. Increasing punishment would not reduce fear; it could create more distance in the relationship. Exam tip: Use ideas such as understanding feelings, support, safety, and trust in your answer.

Grandmother encourages Kezia to meet her father so that Kezia may overcome her fear and develop closeness with him. This shows Grandmother's caring, reconciliatory nature. Option B refers to the earlier pin-cushion incident, but it is not Grandmother's purpose. Exam tip: identify the motive behind a character's advice, not merely the event mentioned in the chapter.

A child's mind can be understood with patience and empathy. In exams write empathy and patience.

When Kezia has a nightmare, her father lets her sleep beside him and gently comforts her. She then feels his affection and protection behind his seemingly strict manner. It is not a punishment or a reminder of her mistake; it marks the beginning of her reduced fear of her father. Exam tip: Link this incident to Kezia's changing view of her father.

When feeling is ignored, fear and misunderstanding increase. In exams connect ignored feeling with misunderstanding.

Kezia tried to make a pin cushion for her father's birthday. She unknowingly tore up his important speech papers to fill it, which led to his anger and her punishment. However, viewed with empathy, the pin cushion represents her innocent and loving effort for her father, not her mistake. Exam tip: To identify an object's symbolism, focus on the character's intention behind it.

An empathetic answer does not view Kezia’s feelings in only one way. She fears her father because of his harsh manner, but after feeling safe in his arms during her nightmare, she also experiences love and closeness towards him. Therefore, blaming only the father gives an incomplete response. Exam tip: mention both a character’s actions and their changing feelings.

Towards the end of the story, Kezia realises that although her father is tired after work, he cares for her. This understanding reduces her fear and emotional distance from him. Option D is the opposite, because empathy reduces misunderstanding rather than increasing it. Exam tip: mention Kezia’s change from fear to understanding and affection.

Kezia’s dream brings out her fear. Because she sees her father as strict and frightening, the dream reveals her insecurity and suppressed fear of him. The Macdonald family episode helps Kezia understand a loving side of fatherhood; it does not explain the meaning of her frightening dream. Exam tip: Interpret a character’s dream by linking it to the character’s feelings and experiences.

Empathy increases belonging and trust in a family. In exams connect family empathy with bonding.

In the story, Kezia finds her father frightening because of his stern manner and scolding. However, when she has a nightmare, he takes her to his bed and comforts her, showing affection and concern. Therefore, he is not simply loveless; he expresses love less openly. The comparison with Macdonald shows a difference in parenting style, not an absence of love. Exam tip: mention both the father's strict outward manner and his hidden affection.

Kezia did not spoil her father’s speech papers deliberately; she used them to fill a pin-cushion for her grandmother. Her father’s anger and punishment made her more fearful of him. Thus, the lesson is that a child should not be punished before understanding the child’s feelings and intention. Option C promotes fear in the name of discipline, whereas the story highlights the need for empathy. Exam tip: Include ideas such as ‘understanding intention’ and ‘empathetic behaviour’ in your answer.

Kezia is frightened after a nightmare. Her father takes her into his arms, lets her sleep beside him, and makes her feel safe. This helps her realise that affection lies behind his stern manner. Option B refers to the incident when he was angry, not to the moment she understands his love. Exam tip: mention the nightmare and that her father let her sleep beside him.

Without empathy, loving intention is not seen. In exams write the difference between result and intention.