Which statement describes a practice NOT aligned with active listening?

• A. Paraphrasing to confirm understanding.
• B. Interrupting the speaker.
• C. Maintaining eye contact.
• D. Asking clarifying questions.

Answer: (B)

Active listening involves giving the speaker your full attention and responding in ways that show you understand and are engaged. Paraphrasing to confirm understanding helps you check that you’ve captured the speaker’s meaning, and it shows you’re processing what was said. Maintaining eye contact signals you’re focused and attentive. Asking clarifying questions helps you resolve any ambiguity and prevents assumptions from filling gaps in understanding.

The statement that does not fit active listening is interrupting the speaker. Interrupting disrupts the speaker’s flow, can cut off important details, and prevents you from hearing the complete message. It signals disinterest and makes it harder to accurately grasp what’s being communicated.

So, the option describing interruption is the one not aligned with active listening, while paraphrasing, eye contact, and clarifying questions are all consistent with it.