Before speaking, what should you listen for on the line?

• A. A constant buzzing only.
• B. A dial tone.
• C. Line idle or call signal.
• D. Visual indicator.

Answer: (C)

On a sound-powered line, you listen for the line status before you speak. The correct cue is a line that is idle or a call signal. Line idle means the circuit is free and no one is talking, so you can begin. A call signal indicates someone is waiting or the line is ready to be answered, so you respond. A constant buzzing isn’t a reliable or standard cue on these lines, dial tones aren’t produced by sound-powered systems, and a visual indicator won’t tell you audibly when to speak. So you listen for line idle or a call signal to know when it’s appropriate to talk.