Which statement best reflects how the applicant demonstrated empathy for a friend?

Which statement best reflects how the applicant demonstrated empathy for a friend?

• A. I volunteered with a local charity for the elderly.
• B. I listened to my friend and let her know I understood how she was feeling about her dog's illness.
• C. I shared stories about my own pet to shift the focus.
• D. I organized a study group for a difficult class.

Answer: (B)

Empathy means listening with the intention to understand and validate another person’s feelings. In this example, the statement demonstrates empathic listening by hearing your friend and affirming that you understand how she feels about her dog’s illness. That acknowledgment lets her feel seen and supported, which is at the heart of empathy. The other actions show care in different ways—volunteering for a charity expresses general kindness, sharing personal pet stories can shift attention away from her emotional experience, and organizing a study group focuses on academic help rather than addressing her current emotional needs.

Empathy means listening with the intention to understand and validate another person’s feelings. In this example, the statement demonstrates empathic listening by hearing your friend and affirming that you understand how she feels about her dog’s illness. That acknowledgment lets her feel seen and supported, which is at the heart of empathy. The other actions show care in different ways—volunteering for a charity expresses general kindness, sharing personal pet stories can shift attention away from her emotional experience, and organizing a study group focuses on academic help rather than addressing her current emotional needs.