Question

Why do people tend to cup their hands around listeners' ears when whispering to them?
Responses
A A cupped hand makes the sound echo so the listener can hear more clearly.A cupped hand makes the sound echo so the listener can hear more clearly.
B The ear cannot absorb sound waves produced by a whisper without a cupped hand.The ear cannot absorb sound waves produced by a whisper without a cupped hand.
C Solid objects, such as a cupped hand, can direct sound waves into the ear of the listener.Solid objects, such as a cupped hand, can direct sound waves into the ear of the listener.
D Sound waves from a whisper are short; they will not reach the ear unless guided by a hand.Sound waves from a whisper are short; they will not reach the ear unless guided by a hand.

Answer 1

C.

A cupped hand acts like a small reflector/funnel (a directional “horn”), concentrating and directing the weak sound energy from a whisper toward the listener’s ear. That increases the sound pressure at the ear and reduces dispersion and background noise — making the whisper easier to hear.