What action should you take if someone cannot understand you?

• A. Raise your voice
• B. Ignore and proceed
• C. Write a note asking for their preferred communication mode
• D. Use sign language

Answer: (C)

When someone cannot understand you, the goal is to establish a way for them to understand what you’re saying. Writing a quick note to ask for their preferred communication mode directly reveals the best method to use—whether it’s simple spoken language, written text, sign language, or another accommodation. This shows you’re prioritizing clear, respectful communication, which helps reduce confusion and keeps the interaction safer and more cooperative.

Raising your voice doesn’t improve understanding and can escalate tension, and ignoring the barrier and proceeding risks miscommunication and safety issues. Using sign language is helpful if you have that capability and the person uses it, but if you don’t know it, asking for their preferred method is the most reliable first step.