Final answer:
Passive listening is akin to passive reading, where the individual does not actively engage with the content, such as reading without comprehension. It is similar to the use of passive voice in writing, where the subject of the sentence is the recipient of the action rather than the doer.
Step-by-step explanation:
An example of passive listening can occur while reading. An instance of this would be if a person is reading material and, upon completing a page or paragraph, realizes that they have no recollection or understanding of what they've just read. This form of passive reading suggests that the individual has not engaged actively with the text to learn from it or build connections with other material. It can be equated to passive listening in a conversation where a listener hears the words but does not actively engage with the content or the speaker.
Passive voice is a common way to express instances of passive actions or reception of actions, which can relate to the concept of passive listening. For example, in the sentence 'The rainfall total was measured using standard practices,' the subject is not conducting the action but is the recipient of the action, illustrating a passive construction. Similarly, in listening, when the listener does not actively interpret or respond to the information, it represents a passive engagement with the content being presented.