Which practice best promotes active listening?

• A. Interrupt the speaker when you think you understand
• B. Show interest and repeat what you heard to confirm understanding
• C. Check your phone while listening
• D. Provide immediate feedback with distraction

Answer: (B)

Active listening centers on giving your full attention, understanding the speaker’s message, and confirming you’ve understood it correctly. Showing interest and repeating what you heard in your own words demonstrates that you are processing the message, helps catch any details you might have missed, and gives the speaker a chance to correct misunderstandings right away. This back-and-forth reinforces accuracy and shows respect, which makes communication more effective and builds trust.

Interjecting as soon as you think you understand interrupts the flow and can cause you to miss important information. Checking your phone while listening is a distraction that pulls focus away from the speaker. Providing feedback while distracted signals you’re not fully engaged, increasing the chance of miscommunication.