Interpersonal & Communication Skills – Listening and comprehension skills

Assam Public Service Commission (APSC)

Combined Competitive Examination (CCE)

Preliminary Examination – General Studies Paper II (Objective Type, 200 Marks)

Topic: Interpersonal & Communication Skills

Sub-Topic: Listening and Comprehension Skills

MCQ 1

Listening is best defined as:
A. The ability to hear sounds
B. The process of receiving and interpreting messages
C. The act of speaking clearly
D. The use of body language only

Correct Answer: B
Explanation: Listening is an active cognitive process involving hearing, understanding, interpreting, and responding to messages—not merely hearing sounds.

MCQ 2

Which of the following best distinguishes listening from hearing?
A. Listening is involuntary, hearing is voluntary
B. Listening requires attention, hearing does not
C. Hearing needs interpretation, listening does not
D. Both are identical processes

Correct Answer: B
Explanation: Hearing is a physiological process, while listening requires mental focus and comprehension.

MCQ 3

Active listening mainly involves:
A. Speaking frequently
B. Interrupting politely
C. Paying attention and responding appropriately
D. Memorizing words

Correct Answer: C
Explanation: Active listening includes attention, understanding, feedback, and empathy.

MCQ 4

Which of the following is NOT a component of active listening?
A. Maintaining eye contact
B. Providing feedback
C. Formulating responses while the speaker is talking
D. Avoiding distractions

Correct Answer: C
Explanation: Preparing responses while listening reduces comprehension and attention.

MCQ 5

Comprehension in listening refers to:
A. Hearing loudly
B. Remembering exact words
C. Understanding the meaning of the message
D. Responding emotionally

Correct Answer: C
Explanation: Comprehension focuses on interpreting meaning, not just recalling words.

MCQ 6

Which barrier to listening arises from personal bias or prejudice?
A. Physical barrier
B. Psychological barrier
C. Environmental barrier
D. Linguistic barrier

Correct Answer: B
Explanation: Psychological barriers include biases, assumptions, and preconceived notions.

MCQ 7

Noise affecting listening is an example of:
A. Semantic barrier
B. Psychological barrier
C. Physical barrier
D. Cultural barrier

Correct Answer: C
Explanation: External disturbances like noise are physical barriers.

MCQ 8

Empathetic listening primarily aims to:
A. Judge the speaker
B. Solve problems immediately
C. Understand feelings and emotions
D. Prove one’s own point

Correct Answer: C
Explanation: Empathetic listening emphasizes emotional understanding and support.

MCQ 9

Which listening type focuses on evaluating facts and logic?
A. Appreciative listening
B. Empathetic listening
C. Critical listening
D. Passive listening

Correct Answer: C
Explanation: Critical listening involves analysis, evaluation, and judgment.

MCQ 10

Appreciative listening is commonly used when:
A. Solving disputes
B. Enjoying music or speeches
C. Giving instructions
D. Conducting interviews

Correct Answer: B
Explanation: Appreciative listening is used for pleasure and enjoyment.

MCQ 11

Which factor improves listening effectiveness?
A. Multitasking
B. Open-mindedness
C. Interrupting
D. Pre-judging the speaker

Correct Answer: B
Explanation: Open-mindedness enhances attention and understanding.

MCQ 12

Listening comprehension is most affected by:
A. Vocabulary knowledge
B. Writing skills
C. Handwriting speed
D. Physical strength

Correct Answer: A
Explanation: Understanding spoken language depends heavily on vocabulary and language familiarity.

MCQ 13

Which is a sign of poor listening?
A. Asking clarifying questions
B. Summarizing the message
C. Frequent interruptions
D. Maintaining eye contact

Correct Answer: C
Explanation: Interruptions indicate lack of attention and respect.

MCQ 14

Paraphrasing during listening helps to:
A. Distract the speaker
B. Show disagreement
C. Confirm understanding
D. Change the topic

Correct Answer: C
Explanation: Paraphrasing ensures accurate comprehension.

MCQ 15

Which of the following enhances comprehension?
A. Emotional reactions
B. Selective attention
C. Preconceived ideas
D. Noise

Correct Answer: B
Explanation: Selective attention helps focus on relevant information.

MCQ 16

Listening that involves minimum effort is called:
A. Active listening
B. Critical listening
C. Passive listening
D. Empathetic listening

Correct Answer: C
Explanation: Passive listening involves little engagement or feedback.

MCQ 17

Which stage of listening involves interpreting meaning?
A. Receiving
B. Understanding
C. Evaluating
D. Responding

Correct Answer: B
Explanation: Understanding is the stage where meaning is derived.

MCQ 18

In communication, feedback is important because it:
A. Interrupts communication
B. Confirms message reception
C. Increases noise
D. Delays response

Correct Answer: B
Explanation: Feedback verifies successful listening and comprehension.

MCQ 19

Which listening skill is crucial for conflict resolution?
A. Appreciative listening
B. Empathetic listening
C. Passive listening
D. Selective listening

Correct Answer: B
Explanation: Empathy helps reduce tension and build trust.

MCQ 20

Cultural differences can affect listening due to:
A. Language only
B. Differences in values and norms
C. Physical barriers
D. Writing styles

Correct Answer: B
Explanation: Cultural norms influence interpretation and response.

MCQ 21

Which practice improves long-term listening skills?
A. Speaking more
B. Regular self-evaluation
C. Ignoring feedback
D. Avoiding discussions

Correct Answer: B
Explanation: Self-evaluation helps identify and correct listening gaps.

MCQ 22

Listening for specific information is called:
A. Selective listening
B. Passive listening
C. Appreciative listening
D. Empathetic listening

Correct Answer: A
Explanation: Selective listening focuses on key details.

MCQ 23

Which non-verbal cue supports effective listening?
A. Frowning
B. Avoiding eye contact
C. Nodding occasionally
D. Checking phone

Correct Answer: C
Explanation: Nodding shows attention and encouragement.

MCQ 24

Mental fatigue affects listening by:
A. Improving focus
B. Reducing comprehension
C. Enhancing memory
D. Increasing empathy

Correct Answer: B
Explanation: Fatigue lowers attention and understanding capacity.

MCQ 25

Which of the following is a listener-related barrier?
A. Poor audio system
B. Speaker’s accent
C. Lack of interest
D. Noisy environment

Correct Answer: C
Explanation: Lack of interest reduces listening effectiveness.

MCQ 26

Effective listening in administration mainly helps in:
A. Faster decision making
B. Better public relations
C. Conflict reduction
D. All of the above

Correct Answer: D
Explanation: Good listening improves governance, trust, and efficiency.

MCQ 27

Which habit should be avoided for better listening?
A. Asking relevant questions
B. Taking mental notes
C. Daydreaming
D. Maintaining focus

Correct Answer: C
Explanation: Daydreaming causes loss of comprehension.

MCQ 28

Listening with the intent to reply rather than understand leads to:
A. Effective communication
B. Miscommunication
C. Active listening
D. Empathetic response

Correct Answer: B
Explanation: Premature response formation reduces accurate understanding.

MCQ 29

Which listening skill is most important during interviews?
A. Appreciative listening
B. Critical listening
C. Empathetic listening
D. Passive listening

Correct Answer: B
Explanation: Interviews require analysis and evaluation of responses.

MCQ 30

The primary goal of listening and comprehension skills is to:
A. Dominate conversations
B. Avoid speaking
C. Achieve accurate understanding
D. Memorize information

Correct Answer: C
Explanation: Effective listening ensures clear understanding and meaningful communication.

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