Which utterance is a typical example of back-channeling in conversation?

Which utterance is a typical example of back-channeling in conversation?

• A. Please continue with your explanation.
• B. I understand.
• C. Uh-huh.
• D. Now, tell me more about that.

Answer: (C)

Back-channeling is the listener’s brief feedback that shows you’re following along without taking over the turn. The utterance “Uh-huh” fits this exactly: it’s a short, unobtrusive acknowledgment that you’re listening and understanding enough to invite the speaker to continue. It doesn’t add new content or steer the conversation; it simply signals engagement and keeps the floor open for the speaker. The other phrases push the interaction in different ways. Saying “Please continue with your explanation” directly asks for more content, which shifts the dynamic from listening to prompting more speech. “I understand” asserts comprehension and can close the loop, which is more of a content-related response. “Now, tell me more about that” shifts the turn back to the speaker but with a directive to elaborate, again changing the balance of the exchange rather than just signaling listening.

Back-channeling is the listener’s brief feedback that shows you’re following along without taking over the turn. The utterance “Uh-huh” fits this exactly: it’s a short, unobtrusive acknowledgment that you’re listening and understanding enough to invite the speaker to continue. It doesn’t add new content or steer the conversation; it simply signals engagement and keeps the floor open for the speaker.

The other phrases push the interaction in different ways. Saying “Please continue with your explanation” directly asks for more content, which shifts the dynamic from listening to prompting more speech. “I understand” asserts comprehension and can close the loop, which is more of a content-related response. “Now, tell me more about that” shifts the turn back to the speaker but with a directive to elaborate, again changing the balance of the exchange rather than just signaling listening.