What technique is used to ensure understanding by asking for clarification?

• A. Active listening
• B. Paraphrasing
• C. Summarizing
• D. Clarifying

Answer: (D)

Clarifying is the process of asking for more details to confirm you understand what someone means. It directly targets any ambiguity by inviting the speaker to explain or specify, so you can be sure of the intended message. For example, you might say, “Could you clarify what you mean by that term?” or “When you say X, do you mean Y?” This helps prevent miscommunication by turning vague statements into precise meaning.

While active listening involves giving full attention and engaging with the speaker, and paraphrasing or summarizing are ways of restating or condensing information, the specific action of asking for more detail to confirm understanding is clarifying. This makes it the best fit for the question.