What should you do to improve informative listening skills?

• A. Keep an open mind, take notes, and ask appropriate questions.
• B. Ignore notes and rely on memory.
• C. Speak more than listen.
• D. Avoid asking questions.

Answer: (C)

To improve informative listening, focus on actively engaging with the speaker and the information being shared. Keep an open mind so you can absorb new data without preconceptions that might color your understanding. Take notes to capture key facts, figures, deadlines, and action items—this helps you remember details and reference them later. Asking appropriate questions clarifies anything that isn’t clear and reinforces your understanding, ensuring you’re accurately processing the message. This combination turns listening into a deliberate, learning-focused process.

Ignoring notes and relying solely on memory leads to missed details and potential misunderstandings. Speaking more than you listen disrupts the flow of information and prevents you from fully absorbing what’s being communicated. Avoiding questions shuts down opportunities to clarify and validate what you’ve heard, which can leave gaps in understanding.