Question

Which of the following is not a stage of active listening?

• A. Receiving
• B. Understanding
• C. Non-responding
• D. Evaluating

Hint:

To remember the stages of active listening in sequence, think of the acronym RURER: Receive, Understand, Remember, Evaluate, and Respond.

Answer 1

The Correct Option is C

Step 1: Understanding Active Listening:
Active listening is a structured, highly focused communication technique that requires the receiver to fully participate, interpret, and provide constructive feedback on what is being said. It is not a passive activity; it requires physical and cognitive engagement.

Step 2: Evaluating the Five Sequential Stages:
The process of active listening is generally categorized into five core phases:
• Receiving: The physical hearing of the audio signals and attending to the visual cues.
• Understanding: Processing the acoustic message to grasp its literal and contextual meaning.
• Remembering: Storing the interpreted information in memory for subsequent recall.
• Evaluating: Analyzing the message objectively, separating fact from opinion.
• Responding: Providing verbal or non-verbal feedback to confirm comprehension.

Step 3: Analyzing the Options:
Based on the five stages, “Responding” is the active feedback mechanism. Thus, its opposite, “Non-responding”, is a direct communication barrier and is not a stage of active listening. This makes (C) the correct answer.