A child in Ms. Jones's class wears long sleeves and long pants in warm weather and has become withdrawn. What is this child probably being affected by?

• A. Neglect
• B. Physical abuse
• C. Illness
• D. Bullying

Answer: (B)

Wearing long sleeves and long pants in warm weather, along with withdrawal, can signal that a child is trying to hide injuries and is emotionally distressed. This pattern is a common indicator of physical abuse, where a child may feel scared or unsafe and guiltily withdraw from others. The clothing choice suggests an attempt to conceal marks, which aligns with harm from someone else rather than typical illness or distress from other causes.

Neglect would show different signs, such as consistently poor hygiene or lack of appropriate supervision. Illness would typically present with physical symptoms or persistent fatigue rather than a deliberate effort to cover the body. Bullying can cause withdrawal, but the specific attempt to conceal injuries through clothing is more strongly associated with physical abuse.