What technique helps confirm you correctly understood someone's message?

• A. Lecture
• B. Ignore
• C. Paraphrase
• D. Perseverate

Answer: (C)

Paraphrase is restating the speaker’s message in your own words to verify you understood the point. By reflecting the main idea and key details back to the speaker, you create a quick feedback loop: they can confirm you captured what they meant or correct any misinterpretations. This shows you’re actively listening and helps prevent miscommunication.

Other approaches don’t serve this purpose as well. Lecturing pushes your own content without checking comprehension. Ignoring misses the opportunity to confirm understanding altogether. Perseverating focuses on repeating the same thing, which doesn’t clarify meaning or invite confirmation. Paraphrasing keeps the conversation collaborative and clarifies understanding effectively.