Which of the following is a key to active listening?

Active listening is a fundamental skill in effective communication, and one of its key components is fully concentrating on the speaker. This means giving the speaker your undivided attention and being present in the moment, allowing you to fully absorb and comprehend the message being conveyed. When you concentrate fully, you're more likely to understand the speaker’s perspective, emotions, and intentions, which enhances the quality of the interaction and fosters a more meaningful dialogue.

By engaging in active listening, you demonstrate respect and interest in what the speaker is saying, which can help build trust and rapport. This commitment to understanding the other person lays the foundation for effective communication, including providing thoughtful feedback and follow-up questions based on what was discussed.

The other options do not support the process of active listening as effectively: not making eye contact can create a sense of disengagement; formulating a response while the speaker is still talking can detract from your ability to truly understand their message; and interrupting, even with the intention of clarifying, can disrupt the flow of conversation and may lead the speaker to feel undervalued or misunderstood. Thus, fully concentrating on the speaker remains the cornerstone of active listening.