Unobtrusive signals that indicate you are listening are an active listening technique known as what?

• A. short interjections
• B. active listening mirroring
• C. Questioning
• D. Completing sentences

Answer: (A)

Short interjections are a quiet way to show you’re listening. When you say brief things like “uh-huh,” “I see,” or “go on,” you give the speaker immediate feedback that you’re following along without interrupting or steering the conversation. These tiny responses, known as backchannel cues, keep the speaker talking and help confirm you understand what’s being said.

This approach is preferable to more active techniques that push the conversation in a particular direction. Mirroring or paraphrasing would involve restating the content to show understanding, which is a more deliberate form of engagement. Questioning adds new inquiries that can change the flow or focus, and completing sentences takes control away from the speaker. Short interjections effectively signal listening while maintaining space for the speaker to continue.