What completes a standard sound-powered call?

• A. The caller ends by replacing the handset.
• B. The line ends in silence after a response.
• C. The receiving party responds and the caller ends by replacing the handset.
• D. The call is considered complete after a short acknowledgment beep.

Answer: (C)

In a standard sound-powered call, the exchange ends when two things happen in sequence: the person at the receiving end acknowledges what was said, confirming that the transmission was heard, and then the caller returns the handset to its cradle to release the line. This two-step ending makes sure both sides know the message was received and frees the circuit for others.

If there’s only a silent ending, or if the line is said to end after a quick beep, those don’t match how sound-powered sets are used—tone signals aren’t part of the normal operation, and silence alone doesn’t confirm understanding. Simply ending without the receiver’s acknowledgment could leave the communication unresolved or the line still tied up.