The correct answer is "active listening". Active listening is the act of giving full attention to what someone is saying and being fully engaged in the communication process. It involves focusing on the speaker, understanding their message, and demonstrating that you are paying attention through verbal and non-verbal cues. To determine the correct answer to this question, you can carefully read and understand each option and identify which one aligns with the description of paying close attention to someone's communication. In this case, "active listening" is the most appropriate response.