Which line shows effect on others by prompting respect or fear?

• A. He muttered a quick apology while avoiding eye contact.
• B. When she entered, people stopped whispering and stood a little straighter.
• C. He steadied a friend during a fall.
• D. Her calendar was color-coded and neatly organized.

Answer: (B)

The idea is about social influence—how a person’s presence can cause others to change their behavior out of respect or fear. In this line, as she enters, the room quiets and people straighten up, showing that her presence prompts others to adjust their behavior. That kind of reaction—whispers stopping and posture becoming more formal—signals that she commands attention or authority.

The other lines don’t show that effect. One focuses on the speaker apologizing and avoiding eye contact, which is about her own behavior, not others’ reaction to her. Another shows someone helping a friend, which is an act of support, not a shift in how the group behaves toward her. The last describes organization, not social influence.