Think about these questions, or answer them aloud.
In TOEIC Listening Part 3 you hear conversations between two or three people at work or in daily life, and each conversation has three questions. Some conversations come with a graphic, such as a schedule, a price list, an office directory or a weather forecast. One of the three questions then begins “Look at the graphic.”
In an earlier lesson you saw that the audio usually does not say the answer to this question directly. Here is why. The four answer options come from one column of the graphic. The speakers talk about a different column. Your job is to hear the information from one column and find the matching item in the other.
For example, the options are four prices, but the speakers never say a price. They say two hundred and fifty cards on the better paper. You find that row in the table and read the price.
| The speakers… | Example | What you do |
|---|---|---|
| mention a different column | “Let's get the express.” (options are platforms) | Find the express in the table, then read its platform. |
| use a position or order | “the session right after lunch” | Find the first time after lunch. |
| compare | “whichever is cheaper” / “the one that serves the most people” | Compare the rows and pick the one that fits. |
| describe or paraphrase | “the talk on money” = Budget planning | Match the meaning, not the exact words. |
| change a plan | “They're not on their usual floor this week.” | Cross out the obvious row and listen for the new one. |
| reject options | “Not the windy day, and not the cloudy one.” | Eliminate rows until one is left. |
| Time | Workshop | Room |
|---|---|---|
| 9.00 | Social media basics | Room 101 |
| 11.00 | Writing better emails | Room 204 |
| 1.30 | Managing small teams | Room 101 |
| 3.30 | Budget planning | Room 310 |
Look at the workshop schedule above. Read what a speaker says, then choose the answer.
| Quantity | Standard paper | Premium paper |
|---|---|---|
| 100 cards | $25 | $40 |
| 250 cards | $45 | $70 |
| 500 cards | $65 | $110 |
| 1,000 cards | $120 | $190 |
Read the three questions and the price list.
The options in question 2 are prices, so the speakers will probably talk about the quantity and the type of paper instead.
Notice that every distractor in question 2 matches something Rosa says. Only the final decision on both quantity and paper leads to the right cell.
| Departs | Arrives | Platform | Service |
|---|---|---|---|
| 8.15 | 9.40 | Platform 2 | Stopping |
| 8.45 | 9.55 | Platform 5 | Express |
| 9.10 | 10.35 | Platform 3 | Stopping |
| 9.30 | 10.40 | Platform 4 | Express |
Read the questions and the timetable first. Then listen and choose the best answer.
| Platter | Serves | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Sandwich selection | 10 people | £60 |
| Vegetarian wraps | 10 people | £55 |
| Salad bowls | 8 people | £48 |
| Hot pasta | 12 people | £75 |
Read the questions and the menu first. Then listen and choose the best answer.
| Floor | Occupant |
|---|---|
| Ground floor | Reception and café |
| Floor 1 | Atlas Travel |
| Floor 2 | Brightline Dental Clinic |
| Floor 3 | Corwin and Webb, lawyers |
| Floor 4 | Conference rooms |
Read the questions and the directory first. Then listen and choose the best answer.
| Day | Forecast | Temperature |
|---|---|---|
| Wednesday | Sunny | 24°C |
| Thursday | Heavy rain | 17°C |
| Friday | Cloudy | 20°C |
| Saturday | Strong winds | 19°C |
Read the questions and the forecast first. Then listen and choose the best answer.
Save words to review them later with flashcards.
“The express gets in before ten.”
“The train leaves from Platform 5.”
“Let's go with premium paper this time.”
“I'll put through two orders today.”
“We ordered a sandwich platter for the meeting.”
“Our budget is almost used up for this quarter.”
“Does anyone have a food allergy?”
“A courier is waiting at reception with a parcel.”
“Park in the loading area behind the building.”
“All visitors must sign in at the front desk.”
“The photos are for the new brochure.”
“The caterers will set up the tables on Wednesday.”
