Which line shows a character's effect on others by prompting respect or fear?

• A. He avoided eye contact during the meeting, fidgeting nervously.
• B. When she entered the conference room, people stopped talking and sat up straighter.
• C. He hurried to finish his work before the deadline.
• D. Her desk was a mountain of color-coded folders; every pen was aligned perfectly with the edge of her notepad.

Answer: (B)

The line that shows a character’s effect on others by prompting respect or fear is about how people around her respond to her presence. When she enters the conference room, people stop talking and sit up straighter. That reaction signals that her presence commands attention and conveys authority or influence—others adjust their behavior because of who she is or how she carries herself.

This contrasts with the other lines, which depict the character’s own actions or traits rather than the way others respond to them. Avoiding eye contact and fidgeting reveals her nervousness, finishing work quickly shows diligence, and the perfectly organized desk highlights meticulousness—none of these demonstrate others changing their behavior in response to her.