Final answer:
To prove a quadrilateral is a parallelogram, showing that the diagonals bisect each other is an effective method. Although other properties can also indicate a parallelogram, this approach provides a direct geometric proof.
Step-by-step explanation:
To prove that a given quadrilateral is a parallelogram, one effective method is to show that the diagonals bisect each other. If the diagonals of a quadrilateral intersect at their midpoints, this indicates that both pairs of opposite sides are parallel and equal in length, satisfying the definition of a parallelogram. The options provided including 'opposite angles are congruent', 'diagonals bisect each other', 'all angles are right angles', and 'consecutive angles are supplementary' are all characteristics that could indicate a quadrilateral is a parallelogram, but showing the diagonals bisect each other is a direct approach with clear geometric proof.
Keep in mind the other properties as well for a comprehensive understanding. For instance, if all angles in a quadrilateral are right angles, then it is a rectangle, which is a special type of parallelogram. Similarly, if consecutive angles are supplementary, it supports the fact that the figure could be a parallelogram as the opposite sides are parallel. Remember that these properties might apply to specific cases or types of parallelograms.