Which line shows insecurity through thoughts?

• A. He worried moments before presenting, thinking his notes might fail him.
• B. She commanded the group with confidence.
• C. He jumped into action to save someone.
• D. Her desk lay closed, unused.

Answer: (A)

The main idea is recognizing insecurity when it’s shown through a character’s inner thoughts. Insecurity is revealed by what a character thinks and worries about, not just what they do outwardly. The line that shows this does so directly: he worries moments before presenting, thinking his notes might fail him. Here, the word “worried” and the phrase “thinking his notes might fail him” lay bare his self-doubt and fear of doing poorly, which is exactly how insecurity is expressed through thoughts.

The other lines present outward behavior or states that don’t reveal inner doubt. One character speaks and acts with confidence, another takes decisive action, and the last describes an unused desk—none of these convey the character’s inner worries.