Which of the following is not a communication barrier in a workplace?

The correct answer is C) Active listening, because it is a remedy for communication barriers, not a barrier itself. Noise, prejudice and improper medium all distort or block the message, so they are barriers.

• A) Noise is a physical barrier. It interferes with the channel, whether it is machinery sound in a factory or a crowded open office.
• B) Prejudice is a psychological barrier. A receiver who has already judged the sender filters the message before hearing it.
• D) Improper medium is an organisational barrier. Delivering a complex policy change by a casual message, or a sensitive grievance by email, weakens the message.

The core concept is the distinction between barriers (physical, semantic, psychological, organisational) and facilitators such as active listening, feedback and empathy. This links directly to GS-IV, where emotional intelligence and effective communication in public administration are recurring themes. The concept has not changed since the exam year.

Trap: Candidates pick B or D because they look like obvious problems, and then choose A by default. The real trap is seeing a positive skill, active listening, in a list of negatives and assuming it belongs there.