The term 'back-channeling' specifically refers to the use of verbal acknowledgments during a conversation to indicate that a listener is engaged and actively processing the information being shared. When a person uses phrases like "uh-huh," "I see," or "go on," they provide these cues to the speaker, signaling that they are listening and understanding the content being communicated. This practice helps to encourage the speaker and can enhance the overall flow of the conversation.
In contrast, the other options involve different aspects of communication. Body language, for instance, encompasses non-verbal gestures that may indicate agreement but do not represent the concept of back-channeling, which is strictly verbal. Repeating information for clarification is a technique used to ensure mutual understanding but does not serve the purpose of indicating active listening. Asking follow-up questions is a way to delve deeper into a topic, but it moves the conversation forward rather than simply providing acknowledgment of the speaker's points. Thus, while all these options relate to effective communication, it is the verbal acknowledgments that define back-channeling.