Active listening includes which of the following components?

Active listening is a key component of effective communication and involves several important elements. Factual, emotional, and solution-based feedback is crucial because it encapsulates the essence of understanding and responding to a speaker. Factual feedback indicates that the listener has grasped the essential information being communicated, while emotional feedback acknowledges the feelings expressed by the speaker. Solution-based feedback means that the listener is engaged in finding a viable response to the speaker's concerns, which further reinforces the connection and understanding in the interaction.

The other components listed in the other choices do not align with the principles of active listening. Interruption and judgment hinder the listening process by causing distractions and preventing the speaker from fully expressing themselves. Similarly, making assumptions and exhibiting certainty can lead to misunderstandings and miscommunication, as they project the listener's biases onto the conversation. Lastly, listening, waiting, and ignoring does not capture the essence of active engagement, as ignoring contradicts the very nature of active listening, which is about being fully present and responding thoughtfully. Thus, the choice that emphasizes comprehensive feedback is aligned with the foundational practices of active listening.