empathy

Option A is correct. Empathy involves trying to understand another person’s feelings and circumstances. In the story, Kezia begins to see that her father appears stern because of work pressure and family responsibilities. This understanding reduces her fear and resentment and helps her move towards forgiveness. Option B is incorrect because empathy does not mean accepting every action without thought. Exam tip: empathy creates understanding, and forgiveness can grow from that understanding.

At first, Kezia sees her father as stern and frightening because he speaks little and appears strict. Later, when he comforts her after a nightmare, she understands that his behaviour also contains care and affection. Thus, family love is not always expressed through words or gifts; it may be present in quiet care. Exam tip: notice how a character's opinion changes by the end of the story.

The title shows emotional growth through a child's view. In exams write the link between title and theme.

At first, Kezia fears her father because he appears strict and distant. When he comforts her during a nightmare, she begins to understand his love and tiredness. Thus, her fear changes into trust and affection. “Trust to doubt” describes the opposite change. Exam tip: Link Kezia’s change to her understanding of her father’s hidden care.

The punishment given to Kezia was harsh, so the reader understands her fear and hurt. However, the father later shows care by taking the tired Kezia into his arms and helping her sleep. Therefore, he should not be labelled as cruel on the basis of one incident alone. Option C is incorrect because later affection does not erase the harshness of the punishment. Exam tip: For character-based questions, use incidents from different parts of the story to reach a balanced conclusion.

At the end of the story, Kezia sleeps fearlessly against her father's chest. This scene symbolises the replacement of her earlier fear of her father with feelings of safety, affection, and trust. The option about distance from home is the opposite of the scene, which shows emotional closeness between father and daughter. Exam tip: In symbolism questions, identify the emotion that changes through the event.

She gradually moves beyond hasty judgement. In exams link empathy with fair understanding.

The final realization proves her changed viewpoint. In exams choose the statement as evidence.

Speaking little is not absence of love. In exams do not treat behaviour as final truth directly.

Understanding hard work increases respect for father. In exams connect compassion with understanding.

In ‘The Little Girl’, Kezia initially finds her father stern and frightening. However, when her mother is in hospital, he lets Kezia sleep beside him and cares for her, revealing his affection. Empathy therefore presents him neither as a perfect ideal nor as a villain, but as a human, complex person with both sternness and love. Exam tip: judge a character through actions in different situations.

She sees hidden labour and affection behind her father's behaviour. In exams connect the principle with the story.

Kezia later understands the affection hidden inside her father. In exams mention the difference between outward behaviour and inner feeling.

Empathy makes her judgement less one-sided. In exams make balanced vision the main point.

Kezia understood her father little so fear grew. In exams connect fear with lack of communication.

Behind the father's sternness there is also labour and responsibility. In exams do not judge a character from one event only.

At first, Kezia fears her father because of his strict manner, loud voice, and discipline. Her fear is based on an incomplete understanding of him. Later, when he comforts her after her nightmare, she recognises his affection and loneliness and begins to feel empathy for him. Thus, empathy helps her understand the love and weariness behind his behaviour. Exam tip: Remember Kezia’s emotional journey from fear to understanding and empathy.

When Kezia is frightened by the nightmare, her father lets her sleep beside him and makes her feel safe. She then realises that, despite his stern appearance, he loves and cares for her. Option A reflects his earlier strict behaviour, not the change caused by this incident. Exam tip: Remember this scene as the turning point in Kezia's view of her father.

Kezia tore up the papers of her father’s speech to fill the pincushion because she wanted to make him a birthday gift. Her act was therefore motivated by love and a wish to please him, not by rebellion or insult. However, destroying important papers without permission made the consequences serious. Exam tip: In character-based questions, distinguish a character’s intention from the result of the action.

Through that scene Kezia sees another possibility of father-child relation. In exams write the meaning of comparison.