Active Listening and Paraphrasing Flashcards
7 cards from real Soft Skills - Communication practice questions. Tap to flip, then mark Knew It or Still Learning — missed cards come back until you master them.
Read the first 7 Active Listening and Paraphrasing flashcards as text
A client says, 'Nobody ever listens to my feedback.' An active listener would FIRST:
Answer: Acknowledge the client's frustration before asking for specifics
Acknowledging feelings first creates psychological safety, making it easier for the client to share concrete details afterward.
Which nonverbal behavior is LEAST supportive of active listening?
Answer: Crossing arms tightly and turning slightly away
Crossed arms and a turned-away posture signal defensiveness or disengagement, undermining the speaker's comfort.
You paraphrase a coworker's concern and they respond, 'Not exactly — what I meant was...' What should you do?
Answer: Listen carefully to their correction and paraphrase again
A correction from the speaker is valuable feedback; re-paraphrasing after clarification ensures mutual understanding.
The phrase 'What I'm hearing you say is...' is an example of which active listening technique?
Answer: Paraphrasing for clarity
This lead-in phrase signals to the speaker that the listener is about to restate their message in their own words to confirm understanding.
During a team meeting, someone shares a complex problem. The best active listening response is to:
Answer: Ask clarifying questions and reflect key points before responding
Asking clarifying questions and reflecting shows engagement and ensures your response addresses the actual issue.
Which scenario illustrates 'selective listening'?
Answer: A manager hears an employee's complaint but only retains the parts that confirm their existing opinion.
Selective listening occurs when listeners filter information to match preexisting beliefs, distorting the speaker's full message.
Why is it important to avoid interrupting when practicing active listening?
Answer: Interrupting signals that your thoughts are more important than the speaker's and disrupts their train of thought.
Interrupting undermines trust and prevents the speaker from fully expressing their idea, limiting the listener's ability to understand.