(MCQ) 4 things all great listeners know

1. According to the video, why is good listening important?

• A. It helps people speak more clearly.

• B. It improves relationships and changes people's minds.

• C. It makes people more persuasive in arguments.

• D. It prevents misunderstandings completely.

Answer explanation

Key from transcript:
"Behavioral scientists have found that good listening is one of the most important things we can do to improve our relationships, develop our worldview, and potentially even change people's minds." (0:19-0:28)

Explanation: The video states that good listening strengthens relationships, helps shape our understanding of the world, and can influence others’ opinions.

2. What is a key feature of high-quality listening?

• A. Smiling and nodding at regular intervals.

• B. Showing attentiveness and understanding.

• C. Interrupting to ask many questions.

• D. Giving advice immediately.

Answer explanation

Key from transcript:
"Some recurring features include attentiveness, conveying understanding, and showing a positive intention towards the speaker." (0:47-0:52)

Explanation: Active listening requires both attentiveness and making the speaker feel understood, rather than just hearing their words.

3. Why is it not enough to just smile and nod while listening?

• A. Because it can make the speaker uncomfortable.

• B. Because it makes conversations longer.

• C. Because it is considered rude in some cultures.

• D. Because it does not show real understanding.

Answer explanation

Key from transcript:
"Researchers have found that merely smiling and nodding at set intervals doesn’t quite work." (0:58-1:00)

Explanation: Smiling and nodding without engaging in the conversation does not demonstrate actual comprehension or attentiveness.

4. What should you do before a conversation to show good listening skills?

• A. Turn off distractions like TV and phone.

• B. Prepare a list of responses.

• C. Make the conversation as short as possible.

• D. Ask the speaker to repeat every sentence.

Answer explanation

Key from transcript:
"Before even starting your conversation, remove any distractions in the environment. Turn off the TV, take off your headphones and put your phone away— far away." (1:40-1:52)

Explanation: Eliminating distractions allows you to focus entirely on the speaker, signaling respect and genuine interest.

5. What kind of questions should good listeners ask?

• A. Questions that test the speaker’s knowledge.

• B. Yes/no questions that keep the conversation short.

• C. Open-ended questions that help the speaker reflect.

• D. Questions that show disagreement with the speaker.

Answer explanation

Key from transcript:
"Look for natural pauses to ask open-ended questions that benefit the speaker, not just your curiosity. Questions like 'What happened next?' or 'How did that make you feel?' confirm that you’re following the story while also helping the speaker dive deeper into their own thoughts." (2:13-2:30)

Explanation: Open-ended questions encourage more detailed responses and help the speaker explore their own thoughts.

6. How can summarizing what the speaker says help?

• A. It shows you are paying attention.

• B. It helps correct the speaker’s mistakes.

• C. It makes the conversation more entertaining.

• D. It allows the listener to change the topic.

Answer explanation

Key from transcript:

"Another great way to show your understanding is by summarizing what you just heard and asking if you’ve missed anything." (2:36-2:41)

Explanation: Summarizing allows the listener to confirm their understanding and reassures the speaker that their message is being received accurately.

7. Why is planning your response while listening a bad habit?

• A. It makes you seem uninterested.

• B. It helps you remember the conversation.

• C. It prevents you from fully understanding the speaker.

• D. It makes you forget the main idea.

Answer explanation

Key from transcript:
"Planning out your response while the speaker is talking is a common way to miss what’s being said." (2:53-2:56)

Explanation: If you focus on formulating a response rather than actively listening, you risk misunderstanding or missing key points.

8. What should you do if you lose focus while listening?

• A. Pretend that you understood everything.

• B. Change the subject immediately.

• C. Ask the speaker to repeat what you missed.

• D. Stop talking for the rest of the conversation.

Answer explanation

Key from transcript:
"So try to stay present and if you lose focus, don't be shy about asking the speaker to repeat what you missed." (3:02-3:06)

Explanation: Requesting repetition shows that you value what the speaker is saying and want to understand it properly.

9. What is the main reason silence is important in a conversation?

• A. It makes the speaker feel uncomfortable.

• B. It gives time to reflect and respond thoughtfully.

• C. It helps the listener avoid talking too much.

• D. It signals that the conversation should end soon.

Answer explanation

Key from transcript:
"It’s okay to ask for a moment to formulate your response and taking a beat to think can help speakers reflect on their speech as well." (3:16-3:26)

Explanation: A brief silence allows both parties to organize their thoughts, leading to more meaningful discussions.

10. How does good listening encourage open-mindedness?

• A. It forces people to change their opinions.

• B. It prevents disagreements from happening.

• C. It allows the listener to control the conversation.

• D. It creates a safe and non-judgmental space.

Answer explanation

Key from transcript:
"Recent studies suggest that high-quality listening fosters open-mindedness by creating a non-judgmental and psychologically safe environment." (4:18-4:22)

Explanation: When speakers feel safe from criticism, they are more likely to openly share ideas and consider different viewpoints.