empathy

Grandmother wanted Kezia to talk to her father so that her fear would lessen and understanding could grow between them. She encouraged Kezia to go to her father because conversation can reduce misunderstanding and emotional distance. The closest distractor is that Kezia should remain afraid, but Grandmother wanted to remove, not sustain, that fear. Exam tip: Use a character’s advice and actions to identify their attitude towards relationships.

Through empathy father can understand the child's feeling. In exams connect father empathy with child feeling.

Empathy means understanding another person's feelings and responding with sensitivity. Therefore, ignoring Kezia's fear shows a lack of empathy. Courage and self-confidence concern a person's own ability to face fear, whereas this question is about recognising someone else's emotions. Exam tip: When a question focuses on understanding a character's feelings, look for ‘empathy’.

After Kezia has a nightmare, her father lets her sleep beside him and holds her lovingly. For the first time, she feels his warmth, affection and protection, so option B is correct. It is not frightening or harsh because her father behaves gently and caring at that moment. Exam tip: Link this scene with Kezia’s changing view of her father.

In the story empathy means understanding feelings. In exams remember empathy equals feeling understanding.

Kezia is afraid of her father because of his strict manner. If her feelings and the intention behind her mistake had been understood earlier, she would have received empathy and reassurance, which could have reduced her fear. Love and trust might increase, but safety is not the central issue here. Exam tip: In character-based questions, connect the cause of an event with its emotional effect.

Empathy includes both listening and understanding. In exams write listening and understanding.

When Kezia had a nightmare, her father allowed her to sleep beside him and comforted her. This experience made her realise that, although he seemed strict, he loved her. The torn-papers incident had increased her fear of him; it did not reveal his hidden affection. Exam tip: identify the event that causes a character's change in feelings.

In ‘The Little Girl’, Kezia initially fears her father because she sees only his strict behaviour. Later, when he comforts her during a nightmare, she understands his care and love. Therefore, the lesson is that adults should understand children’s feelings, not increase their fear. Exam tip: support your answer with the incident in which Kezia’s father comforts her at night.

Through empathy Kezia feels closer to father. In exams write the final effect as trust and closeness.

Kezia did not cause damage deliberately. In exams write unknowing mistake and loving intention.

Empathy increases trust between father and daughter. In exams connect relationship improvement with empathy.

An empathetic person would recognise Kezia’s fear as a genuine emotion. In the story, she is frightened by her father’s stern manner and imposing presence; she is not pretending to gain attention or being mischievous. Exam tip: ‘empathetic’ means understanding another person’s feelings with sensitivity.

Listening carefully to Kezia shows an effort to understand her feelings and experiences, so it is an example of empathy. Punishment, anger, and jealousy do not show concern for another person’s feelings. Exam tip: actions that involve listening to and understanding a character usually indicate empathy.

Kezia unknowingly tore the papers kept for her father’s speech and used them to fill a pin-cushion. It would be wrong to focus only on the torn papers and the damage caused, because she did not intend to harm anything and was afraid of her father. Her intention and situation must also be considered. Exam tip: In empathy-based answers, mention the action as well as the person’s feelings and intention.

Grandmother wants to improve the bond between Kezia and father. In exams write Grandmother as an empathetic bridge.

A child feels safe when understood lovingly. In exams connect empathy with fear reduction.

Alice supports Kezia in a difficult moment. In exams treat supportive behaviour as empathy.

Understanding a child's feeling is empathy. In exams connect father's role with child feeling.

Macdonald plays with his children and shows them affection openly. Seeing him helps Kezia realise that a father can express warmth and love towards children. Therefore, “Playful and affectionate” is correct. “Disciplined but unemotional” is closer to Kezia’s early impression of her own father, not Macdonald. Exam tip: Remember Macdonald as the affectionate contrast to Kezia’s father.