You will get an electric shock if you touch which of the following?

• A. Both wires of the circuit
• B. One wire of the energized circuit
• C. Ground
• D. A neutral conductor

Answer: (A)

A shock occurs when there is a complete path for current to flow from the energized source back to its return. Touching both wires of the circuit places your body between the hot (energized) conductor and the return path, creating a closed circuit and forcing current through you. Ground alone doesn’t complete a circuit under normal conditions, and a neutral conductor is at near earth potential, so touching it by itself typically won’t shock you unless another fault or path exists. That’s why touching both wires is the scenario that guarantees a shock in a standard setup.