TOEIC Listening Part 2: Overview, Tips And Tricks
Toeic Listening Part 2 (Question – Response) is not the most difficult section of the TOEIC test, however, it sometimes makes candidates confused. In this article, we will give you a close insight into the format of TOEIC Listening Part 2 as well as tips and tricks in this part.
1. Toeic Listening Part 2 Overview
1.1. Description of the task
After finishing TOEIC Listening Part 1, you will be transferred to Part 2. There are 25 questions in the listening part 2. In each question, you will listen to a question and then listen to 3 possible responses. Choose the correct response.
1.2. How to allocate time in listening part 2?
For each question, you can follow the steps below:
✓ Step 1: Listen to the question/ statement
✓ Step 2: Listen to 3 responses of the question (equivalent to 3 options A, B, C)
✓ Step 3: Choose the best response
✓ Step 4: Take advantage of the 5 second break between two questions to look at the next question.
1.3. Common types of questions
– Wh-question
Example:
When did Paul take off? – A week ago.
Who’s going to make the speech? – I will.
– Yes/ No question
Example:
Is there a way to get this done faster? – I’m afraid not.
Has he been here before? – Yes, several times.
– Preference question
Example:
Would you like some juice or water? – Either is okay with me.
Should we get together now or later? – Let’s meet later.
– Statement
Example:
I wonder if it’s okay to park there – I’m sure it’s okay.
The boss is waiting for you. – Oh? I wonder what he wants.
– Suggestions and Requests
Example:
Suggestion: How about watching a movie today? – Sure, what do you want to see?
Request: Could you give me a hand with these boxes? – Of course. Give me a second.
2. Tips to get high scores in Toeic Listening Part 2
Here are some helpful tips that you can apply in your TOEIC Listening part 2 and your TOEIC Listening test as well. Let’s take a quick look:
2.1. Wh-questions
a. Question with “When”
Question & Answer Patterns
Past
| Question Patterns | Answer patterns |
| ✓ When did Paul take off? | ✓ A week ago. |
| ✓ When was the form submitted? | ✓ Last week.
✓ Yesterday morning. ✓ At 7 o’clock. ✓ During ✓ While/ While S was |
Future
| Question Patterns | Answer patterns |
| ✓ When is the meeting? | ✓ At 8 o’clock. |
| ✓ When does John arrive? | ✓ By Wednesday. |
| ✓ Where will the conference end? | ✓ In an hour. |
| ✓ When are you going to start your project? | ✓ Not until
✓ Sometime tomorrow. |
| ✓ When are we supposed to get together? | ✓ Not for another week.
✓ This evening. ✓ As soon as ~. |
A response that does not answer the question directly may be given as the correct answer.
Example: When did you pick up your passport?
A. No, I didn’t drop it
B. It’s for Tuesday.
C. I had it delivered to my office.
| Vocabulary related to time
next week/month in 2 months in an hour right now not until 3.30 p.m 2 days ago by the end of this week a couple of weeks ago as soon as |
b. Question with “Who’
Question & Answer Patterns
Past
| Question Patterns | Answer Patterns |
| ✓ Who drew the portrait? | ✓ John did |
| ✓ Who called you this morning? | ✓ Mr. Lee.
✓ I think I’m not sure. ✓ Probably Ron |
Future
| Question Patterns | Answer Patterns |
| ✓ Who’s going to make the speech? | ✓ I will. |
| ✓ Who’s supposed to make the delivery today? | ✓ John already picked it up. |
| ✓ Who’s coming by this afternoon? | ✓ Sarah is. |
| ✓ Who will get the package from the mailroom? | ✓ Paul said he will. |
Present 1:
| Question Patterns | Answer Patterns |
| ✓ Who is your new partner? | ✓ One of the new staff members. |
| ✓ Who’s heading this project? | ✓ John did. I’m not sure |
Present 2:
| Question Patterns | Answer Patterns |
| ✓ Who has the report? | ✓ Susan does. |
| ✓ Who owns the folder on the table? | ✓ I think it belongs to Jane. |
| ✓ Who can work overtime tonight? | ✓ I already have plans tonight. |
| ✓ Who should I take to the party? | ✓ I don’t think.
✓ Jennifer is doing anything. |
Tips:
– The answer is often the name of the person.
Example:
Who will be helping you with the project?
=> Mr. Kevin will give me a hand.
– The answer may be an indefinite pronoun.
Example:
Who was assigned as the manager of the Mannheim Officers Club?
=> One of our employees.
=> A man in our other branch.
– The answer may be the name of the company, department or working position.
Example:
Who produced the cloth for your table?
=> A small design company made it.
Who is going to the conference this year?
=> The Human Resources department is chosen.
Who sent the report to the head office?
=> The sales manager did.
– The response may not answer the question directly.
Example:
Who’s using my screwdriver?
=> It’s on your toolbox.
Who owns the item from XZ company?
=> It’s in the drawer
| Vocabulary related to jobs and positions
manager assistant director head of the department president vice president board of director secretary supervisor executive officer chief executive officer (CEO) marketing consultant administrative assistant representative receptionist |
c. Question with “Where”
Question & Answer Patterns
Where + Noun
| Question Patterns | Answer Patterns |
| ✓ Where is your work? | ✓ At the corner. |
| ✓ Where are the tiles? | ✓ In the downtown area.
✓ Next to the mall. ✓ Near the desk. ✓ On the table. ✓ Over by your desk |
Where + Verb
| Question Patterns | Answer Patterns |
| ✓ Where did John put the report? ✓ ✓ Where do you go to work out now? | ✓ In the drawer.
✓ At the gym. |
| ✓ Where can I take my parents? | ✓ To the new restaurant. |
| ✓ Where will the conference be held? | ✓ In the lecture hall. |
A response that does not answer the question directly may be given as the correct answer.
Example:
Where is today’s paper?
=> Mr. Smith was looking at it this morning.
Where is that financing coming from?
=> Mostly foreign investors.
Where do you go for computer repairs?
=> Why? Is there something wrong with yours?
| Vocabulary related to places
in the conference room on the first floor on your desk in your mail box next to the bus stop across the street file cabinet in the drawer lecture hall next to the mall in the downtown area |
d. Question with “What”
What + Noun
| Question Patterns | Answer Patterns |
| ✓ What questions were thrown at you’? | ✓ The usual kinds. |
| ✓ What kind of a car did you get? | ✓ A sports car. |
| ✓ What are your plans for the summer? | ✓ I’m thinking of taking a trip to Europe. |
What + Verb
| Question Patterns | Answer Patterns |
| ✓ What is going on with the report? | ✓ It’s almost finished.
✓ It’s being copied right now. |
| ✓ What did you do over the weekend? | ✓ I went to a theater.
✓ I just stayed home |
| ✓ What should I do if Rob doesn’t show up? | ✓ Start the meeting without him.
✓ Don’t worry. He’ll show up. |
Tips:
– Pay attention to noun that follows “What”
Example:
What’s the bus fare to get to the airport?
=> It’ll be ten dollars.
What’s the deadline for your project?
=> It’ll be due on Monday.
– Pay attention to noun that follows “What kind/ type/ sort of”
Example:
What kind of accommodation do you want?
=> It’s kind of you to say that.
=> A hotel with an ocean view.
– Pay attention to verb that follows “What”
What are you waiting for?
=> It needs to be weighed.
=> I’m expecting an important phone call.
– The response may not answer the question directly.
Example:
What’s the cost of shipping?
=> It depends on the weight.
What time is the play supposed to start tonight?
=> It’s printed on the brochure.
e. Question with “How”
Means and Methods
| Question Patterns | Answer Patterns |
| ✓ How are you going to the head office tomorrow? | ✓ By car.
✓ I’m getting a lift with John |
| ✓ How do I get to the head office? | ✓ Try taking Highway 13. |
| ✓ How will you get the tickets? | ✓ From a friend. |
Quantities
| Question Patterns | Answer Patterns |
| ✓ How many people are coming to the party? | ✓ Around 50. |
| ✓ How much is the book? | ✓ Twenty dollars.
✓ I’m not sure. |
Durations
| Question Patterns | Answer Patterns |
| How long will it take to get there? | ✓ Roughly 2 hours.
✓ Two hours by car. |
Frequencies
| Question Patterns | Answer Patterns |
| How often do you come here? | ✓ Once a week.
✓ Every other day. ✓ Twice a month. |
How soon
| Question Patterns | Answer Patterns |
| ✓ How soon can you get the work done?
✓ How quickly do you want this? |
✓ Within an hour.
✓ As soon as possible. ✓ In an hour. ✓ By 5 o’clock today. |
f. Question with “Why”
Why + Verb
| Question Patterns | Answer Patterns |
| ✓ Why did you leave your position? | ✓ I didn’t get along with my boss. |
| ✓ Why do you walk to work? | ✓ I don’t have a car. |
| ✓ Why aren’t you eating? | ✓ I’m not very hungry. |
| ✓ Why has the plan been changed? | ✓ Some staff members can’t make it today. |
Why + Adjective
| Question Patterns | Answer Patterns |
| ✓ Why is the factory so far away? | ✓ The rent is too expensive in the city. |
| ✓ Why was Lynn not here this morning? | ✓ She went to the dentist. |
| ✓ Why are the stores so busy today? | ✓ They’re having a sale. |
Tips:
– Reasons and purposes may be described by “To + inf” or “For + noun”
Example:
Why did you go to the department store?
=> To buy a present for my friend.
Why do you have to leave early?
=> For a dentist appointment.
– Answer beginning with “Because” may be a trap
Example:
Why were you so late for the meeting?
=> Because the bus was earlier than usual. (x)
Why is the library closed today?
=> It closes every other Monday. (√)
– Questions may begin with other phrases instead of “Why”
Example:
What caused the noise?
What reason is Daniel going back to Canada?
What made you resign from the position?
How come you had a day off on Wednesday?
– Questions that begin with “Why don’t you/ we…” (making suggestions) may be answered by “Yes/ No”, but not “Because”.
Example:
Why don’t we meet at nine?
=> Because it’s too crowded. (x)
=> Yes, that sounds good to me. (√)
2.2. Yes/ No questions
a. Basic Yes/ No question
Is / Are / Was / Were
| Question Patterns | Answer Patterns |
| ✓ Is there a way to get this done faster? | ✓ I’m afraid not. |
| ✓ Was there any mail? | ✓ A little. |
| ✓ Are you going to take that? | ✓ Yes, I will. |
Does / Do / Did
| Question Patterns | Answer Patterns |
| ✓ Do you have any milk in stock? | ✓ Sorry, we’re out. |
| ✓ Did you get the work done’? | ✓ No, not yet. |
| ✓ Do you think we will get there on time? | ✓ Most likely not. |
Has / Have
| Question Patterns | Answer Patterns |
| ✓ Have you gone over the report? | ✓ Yes, twice. |
| ✓ Has he been here before? | ✓ Yes, several times. |
Will / Would
| Question Patterns | Answer Patterns |
| ✓ Will you be going to the mall today? | ✓ No, not today. |
| ✓ Would you like to take it with you? | ✓ Yes, if you don’t mind. |
Tips:
– Learn different “Yes, No” expressions
✓ Yes
=> I think so/ I believe so.
=> That’s what I heard.
=> Sure/ Of course/ Certainly.
✓ No
=> I don’t think so.
=> I hope not.
=> Not that I know of/ Not that I’m aware of.
– Auxiliary verb helps to identify tense and subject.
Has Thompson attended the annual conference in Boston?
=> I’m planning to go this year. (x)
=> No, he didn’t have time. (√)
b. Negative questions:
| Question Patterns | Answer Patterns |
| ✓ Aren’t we going to the theater today? | ✓ Yes, right after work.
✓ No, I just came. |
| ✓ Don’t you want to eat in today? | ✓ Yes, let’s order something to eat. |
| ✓ Wasn’t the seminar today’? | ✓ Yes, but it got canceled. |
| ✓ Doesn’t Peter know you? | ✓ No, we’ve never met. |
Tips:
– Assuming that there isn’t “Not” in negative questions
– Answering like basic Yes/ No question
Example:
Isn’t there a shortcut to the station?
Yes, it is/ No, it isn’t
c. Tag questions
Affirmative Stems, Negative Tags
| Question Patterns | Answer Patterns |
| ✓ This is John’s desk, isn’t it? | ✓ No, that belongs to Susan. |
| ✓ We’re getting closer, aren’t we? | ✓ Yes, we’re almost there. |
| ✓ Our new fax machine is here, isn’t it? | ✓ No, not yet. |
| ✓ You’ve checked out the store, haven’t you? | ✓ Yes, this morning. |
Negative Stems, Affirmative Tags
| Question Patterns | Answer Patterns |
| ✓ This is not yours, is it? | ✓ No, that’s Rick’s. |
| ✓ Dave never pays for anything, does he? | ✓ No, he’s always broke. |
| ✓ You’re not coming to work tomorrow, are you? | ✓ No, I’m staying home. |
| ✓ You haven’t looked over the report, have you? | ✓ In fact, I did |
Tips:
– If key words give right information about you, use “Yes”
– If key words give wrong information about you, use “No”
Example: You didn’t meet Charles, did you?
Yes, I did. (√)
No, I didn’t. (√)
Yes, I didn’t. (x)
No, I did. (x)
d. Embedded question
Embedded question contains another question inside it. Two questions are connected by a question word.
| Question Patterns | Answer Patterns |
| ✓ Do you know + question word…? | ✓ There’s a store on Hamilton Street. |
| ✓ Can you tell me + question word…? | ✓ Walk down a couple of blocks. |
| ✓ May I ask + question words…? | ✓ Sure, it will take a minute. |
2.3. Preference Question
Preferences for items
| Question Patterns | Answer Patterns |
| ✓ Would you like some juice or water? | ✓ Either is okay with me.
✓ Neither. I’d like some coffee instead. |
| ✓ Will you stay or go? | ✓ I’m going to stay. |
Preferences for time
| Question Patterns | Answer Patterns |
| ✓ Do you want to eat now or later? | ✓ I’m hungry right now. |
| ✓ Is the seminar today or tomorrow? | ✓ I think it’s tomorrow |
| ✓ Should we get together now or later? | ✓ Let’s meet later. |
Preferences for actions (I)
| Question Patterns | Answer Patterns |
| ✓ Do you want to do it now or later? | ✓ I’d rather take care of it right now. |
| ✓ Are you driving or getting a lift? | ✓ Actually, I’m thinking of taking the bus. |
| ✓ Have you heard from Jim; or are you still waiting for his call? | ✓ I talked to him this morning. |
Preferences for actions (II)
| Question Patterns | Answer Patterns |
| ✓ Can we go now, or do we have to wait for Paul? | ✓ I am in the middle of doing something right now
✓ We should wait for Paul. |
| ✓ Should I take care of it, or will you do it? | ✓ I’ll do it later. |
| ✓ Have you made the copies, or do you still have to do that? | ✓ I have not had the time to make the copies. |
2.4. Statement
| Question Patterns | Answer Patterns |
| ✓ I wonder if it’s okay to park there. | ✓ I’m sure it’s okay. |
| ✓ We have to pick up John now. | ✓ Okay, let’s take off. |
| ✓ Oh, so you decided to come after all. | ✓ Yes, my work finished earlier than I had expected. |
| ✓ The boss is waiting for you. | ✓ Oh? I wonder what he wants. |
Tips:
– Answer doesn’t always start with “Yes/ No”
Example: That cake looks delicious. => It’s my favorite.
– Answer may express the question with the same meaning.
Example: I don’t like to play tennis in summer. => Neither do I.
– Answer may be in the question type.
Example: It looks like it’s going to rain any minute. => Did you bring your umbrella?
2.5. Suggestions and Requests
Suggestions
| Question Patterns | Answer Patterns |
| ✓ Why don’t we check out the mall? | ✓ I’m sorry, but I can’t today. |
| ✓ How about watching a movie today? | ✓ Sure, what do you want to see? |
| ✓ Let’s go for a drive today. | ✓ Okay, but where do you want to go? |
Requests
| Question Patterns | Answer Patterns |
| ✓ Could you give me a hand with these boxes? | ✓ Of course. Give me a second. |
| ✓ Would you mind looking at this for me? | ✓ Okay, I’ll take a look later. |
| ✓ Do you happen to have an extra pen handy? | ✓ Sorry, this is the only one I have. |
3. Tricks in Toeic Listening Part 2
a. Direct questions are not often answered with Yes, or No or I don’t know. Look for options that use different words to express their meanings.
b. The question and answer are often in different tenses. Do not expect the tense to be always the same.
Example:
♦ Question: Are you going tonight?
♦ Answer: I will leave tomorrow.
c. Watch out for common distractors
– Same word – unrelated meaning
If you hear the same word in the question and the answer choices, be careful! It could be a distractor.
Example:
♦ Question: Has the sale improved profits?
♦ Answer: Yes, it is for sale.
– Similar sound – different/unrelated word
Sometimes the incorrect choices use words that sound similar to the ones in the recording.
Example:
♦ Question: Have you met the new staff?
♦ Answer: No, it’s not the same stuff.
That’s all the information about TOEIC Listening Part 2. If you are not ready to conquer the TOEIC test, let’s take our TOEIC practice test first!