Which option most correctly gives the root cause of the father-daughter misunderstanding?

Correct answer: Father's limited expression and Kezia's fear

The governing idea is that misunderstanding grows when communication is limited and fear fills the gap. Kezia’s father is not shown expressing affection openly, and his serious manner makes her interpret him through a child’s anxious imagination. She therefore notices his authority and anger more easily than his hidden care. The father also does not initially explain himself in a way Kezia can understand. Option A correctly identifies both sides of the problem: his limited expression and her fear. The other options are incidental details with no causal power in the relationship. The later contrast with the affectionate Macdonald family helps Kezia revise her view, but it does not replace the central causes stated in option A.