Direct or indirect

1. apprehensive and shy, kate felt awkward in social situations.

2. jamal quickly ran to the aid of the boy who had just been pushed by the bully.

What is the meaning of the word checking as it is used in this sentence from the second paragraph of the passage?

In the essay “drowning in dishes,” what is ironic about the fact that danial’s first position in his new job is the dishwashing station?

Mr. underwood's editorial defending tom robinson is surprising because he's described as not wanting to be near negroes it's a dangerous stance to take at that time he had been neutral during the trial he wasn't in the courtroom