TOEIC Tips

Part 4: Short Talks

Format

This part has ten short talks with a total of 30 questions.

For each talk there are three questions.

For each question there are four possible answers.

FormatYou hear the talks and read the

questions & answers.Choose the correct answer.Each talk is usually less than one

minute long with only one speaker.

Example Of An Item

Well it looks like a beautiful day in the city. The morning will start off with a little fog. But don’t worry, as the sun will come out later in the day we can expect all of that fog to be burnt away. We will enjoy a sunny afternoon with high temperatures.

Question:What kind of weather is predicted for the afternoon?a) Rapidly changing.b)  Rainy or snowy.c)  Warm and sunny.d)  Foggy and cool.

Question:What kind of weather is predicted for the afternoon?

c)  Warm and sunny.

Tactics

Listen carefully to the introduction to the talk; it will tell you what kind of talk it is; Listen to the following commercial.

Always look at the questions while you listen, don’t look away!!

Tactics

Begin answering the questions as soon as the talk is over, don’t wait for the tape.

If the next talk starts before you are finished move on.

Tactics

Preview the next set of questions if you have time.

Try to eliminate wrong answers.

Don’t leave any blanks. Guess if you don’t know.

Types Questions

Overview Questions Detail Questions Inference Questions

Overview Questions

These questions require you to have an overall understanding of the dialogs that you hear.

They usually ask about the main idea or purpose of the lecture, or about the speaker, the audience, or the location of where the talk is taking place.

Examples: Overview Questions

Who is speaking?What is the purpose of the

talk?What is happening in this

talk?

Examples: Overview Questions

Where is the announcement being made?

What kind of people would be interested in this talk?

PracticeOverview Questions

Attention shoppers! We will be offering pies in our bakery section on sale for the next 40 minutes. All pies will be on sale for will be discounted 30%. While there you can also check out our wide variety of freshly baked goods made especially for you. Thank you for making us your shopping choice.

Attention shoppers! We will be offering pies in our bakery section on sale for the next 40 minutes. All pies will be on sale for will be discounted 30%. While there you can also check out our wide variety of freshly baked goods made especially for you. Thank you for making us your shopping choice.

Q: Where is the announcement being made?

A: In a supermarket.

Attention shoppers! We will be offering pies in our bakery section on sale for the next 40 minutes. All pies will be on sale for will be discounted 30%. While there you can also check out our wide variety of freshly baked goods made especially for you. Thank you for making us your shopping choice.

Q: Who is speaking?A: A supermarket employee.

Attention shoppers! We will be offering pies in our bakery section on sale for the next 40 minutes. All pies will be on sale for will be discounted 30%. While there you can also check out our wide variety of freshly baked goods made especially for you. Thank you for making us your shopping choice.

Q: What is the purpose of the talk?

A: To tell shoppers about a sale.

Attention shoppers! We will be offering pies in our bakery section on sale for the next 40 minutes. All pies will be on sale for will be discounted 30%. While there you can also check out our wide variety of freshly baked goods made especially for you. Thank you for making us your shopping choice.

Q: What is happening in this talk? A: People are shopping while they listen.

Attention shoppers! We will be offering pies in our bakery section on sale for the next 40 minutes. All pies will be on sale for will be discounted 30%. While there you can also check out our wide variety of freshly baked goods made especially for you. Thank you for making us your shopping choice.

Q: What kind of people would be interested in this talk?A: People who like pies.

Detail Questions

Detail questions ask about specific points of the talk.

You still have to understand the total conversation.

Questions usually begin with…..

Who…?What…?Where…?

Why…?How…?How much?

PracticeDetail Questions

In a tragic accident Air flight 567, a Boeing 747, bound to London from New York crashed last night. Eyewitness’ say they saw the jet was over New York harbor at about 10:00 pm when they saw a trail of smoke from the airliner and then a fiery explosion thereafter. Immediately after, at 10:20 pm, the first wave of rescue teams showed up to the scene but no survivors were found. Two hundred and thirty five passengers and crew were on board.

In a tragic accident Air flight 567, a Boeing 747, bound to London from New York crashed last night. Eyewitness’ say they saw the jet was over New York harbor at about 10:00 pm when they saw a trail of smoke from the airliner and then a fiery explosion thereafter. Immediately after, at 10:20 pm, the first wave of rescue teams showed up to the scene but no survivors were found. Two hundred and thirty five passengers and crew were on board.

Q: Who saw the explosion?A: Eyewitness’

In a tragic accident Air flight 567, a Boeing 747, bound to London from New York crashed last night. Eyewitness’ say they saw the jet was over New York harbor at about 10:00 pm when they saw a trail of smoke from the airliner and then a fiery explosion thereafter. Immediately after, at 10:20 pm, the first wave of rescue teams showed up to the scene but no survivors were found. Two hundred and thirty five passengers and crew were on board.

Q: What did the rescue teams not find? A: Survivors.

In a tragic accident Air flight 567, a Boeing 747, bound to London from New York crashed last night. Eyewitness’ say they saw the jet was over New York harbor at about 10:00 pm when they saw a trail of smoke from the airliner and then a fiery explosion thereafter. Immediately after, at 10:20 pm, the first wave of rescue teams showed up to the scene but no survivors were found. Two hundred and thirty five passengers and crew were on board.

Q: Where was the flight going?A: London.

In a tragic accident Air flight 567, a Boeing 747, bound to London from New York crashed last night. Eyewitness’ say they saw the jet was over New York harbor at about 10:00 pm when they saw a trail of smoke from the airliner and then a fiery explosion thereafter. Immediately after, at 10:20 pm, the first wave of rescue teams showed up to the scene but no survivors were found. Two hundred and thirty five passengers and crew were on board.

Q: Why did the rescue team show up?A: To look for survivors.

In a tragic accident Air flight 567, a Boeing 747, bound to London from New York crashed last night. Eyewitness’ say they saw the jet was over New York harbor at about 10:00 pm when they saw a trail of smoke from the airliner and then a fiery explosion thereafter. Immediately after, at 10:20 pm, the first wave of rescue teams showed up to the scene but no survivors were found. Two hundred and thirty five passengers and crew were on board.

Q: How many people were killed? A: Two hundred and thirty five.

In a tragic accident Air flight 567, a Boeing 747, bound to London from New York crashed last night. Eyewitness’ say they saw the jet was over New York harbor at about 10:00 pm when they saw a trail of smoke from the airliner and then a fiery explosion thereafter. Immediately after, at 10:20 pm, the first wave of rescue teams showed up to the scene but no survivors were found. Two hundred and thirty five passengers and crew were on board.

Q: How long was the flight in the air?A: For about twenty minutes.

Inference Questions

The answers for these questions are not directly stated in the talk.

You have to draw a conclusion (an inference) – based on the information in the talk.

Inference Questions

What is probably true about…?What can be inferred from the

talk?What does the man/woman

mean?What can be said about…?What is probably true about…?

Different types of Talks

Public Announcements News, Weather, and Public Service Bulletins

Commercial Messages Business Talks Recorded Messages

Public Announcements

These talks are brief informational messages like those given to groups of people in public places.

- Airports - Stores- Airplanes - Sporting events- Schools - Parking lots.

ExampleNext Friday morning, we’ll be taking a field trip to the art gallery. This does not mean class will be cancelled. Everyone is expected to participate and critique the works of art for a homework assignment. The exhibition, The Four Modern Masters, is the largest collection of surreal paintings ever assembled, among which are several masterpieces. It showcases the work of Dali, Klee, Miro and Delveau. This is one exhibition not to be missed. We will leave the school at 9:30 and return at 1:00 after having had lunch near the art gallery. Please inform your parents and come properly dressed. Thank you.

Question

When will everyone return to school?a) At 9:30b) After 1:00c) After the exhibitiond) In the afternoon

Question

When will everyone return to school?

b) After 1:00

Question

What is the homework assignment?a) To go to the art galleryb) To participate in the field tripc) To talk about the exhibitiond) To write about the art

Question

What is the homework assignment?

d) To write about the art

News, Weather, and Public Service Bulletins

These talks are similar to the ones you might hear on the radio and television.

Questions usually ask what is being reported and about details given in the talk.

ExampleToday’s forecast calls for clouds, temperatures in the mid 30s and lots of humidity. The humidistat will show 95% this afternoon, but it will get much cooler this evening when rain showers are expected. Those showers will continue over the next few days with temperatures in the low 20s, but we should see some sun by Saturday. Next week shows promise of warmer weather with an average temperature of 30 degrees. Until then, an umbrella will probably be your best friend if you want to stay dry.

Question

How long will the showers last?a) For the next few daysb) Until next weekc) Until Saturdayd) Until this evening

Question

How long will the showers last?

c) Until Saturday

Question

What does the humidistat show?a) The temperatureb) 30 degreesc) The percentage of humidityd) This afternoon

Question

What does the humidistat show?

c) The percentage of humidity

Commercial Messages

These resemble the advertisements you might hear on the radio and television.

Questions often ask about the product being advertised, who would be interested in the product, and sometimes, how much it cost.

ExampleHi everyone! This is Dan from Dan Tanna’s Water Beds. If you’ve never slept on a water bed, then you’ve never slept. The orthopedic design of our beds makes them unbelievably comfortable. As you sleep, the motion of the water massages your muscles so you feel fresh and relaxed the next morning. We guarantee you’ll never wake up tired and sore again. We have twin, queen and king size beds with a vast array of frames and headboards. Our prices are low, and our staff is friendly. So if you want to sleep soundly and feel like a million bucks, come on down to Dan Tanna’s Water Beds.

Question

What makes the beds so comfortable?a) They’re filled with waterb) They massage your musclesc) The designd) The size

Question

What makes the beds so comfortable?

c) The design

Question

What is meant by, feel like a million bucks?a) To feel really goodb) To be relaxedc) To be richd) To sleep soundly

Question

What is meant by, feel like a million bucks?a) To feel really good

Business Talks

These talks are similar introductions or remarks made at business meetings, or to announcements made at work settings.

Questions often deal with the location, the speaker or the audience, as well as details brought up in the talks.

ExampleGood evening, everyone. Thank you all for coming to this gala tonight. I’d like to take a few minutes to talk about a man who has been with United Insurance for 40 years. This man, who has dedicated most of his life to ensuring others have peace of mind when their loved ones pass on, is Mr. Jack B. Nimble. Jack has been an asset to this company, which has tripled in size since he began working here. His dedication has helped us prosper over the years, and his compassion has allowed him to win his way into the hearts of his clients. I’ve known Jack for over three decades and it saddens me to see him go. A less stressful, more relaxing life awaits him though, and I’m sure he’ll enjoy every moment of his retirement.

Question

For what kind of insurance company did Jack work?a) United Insuranceb) Household insurancec) Life insuranced) Retirement insurance

Question

For what kind of insurance company did Jack work?

c) Life insurance

Question

How long has the man known Jack?a) Since the beginningb) 40 yearsc) 30 yearsd) Over 30 years

Question

How long has the man known Jack?

c) 30 years

Recorded Messages

These talks are similar to the recorded messages you might hear on the telephone and in other situations.

Questions usually focus the situation, the audience, and the details in the recording.

ExampleThank you for calling Bell island Ferry Company. The ferry leaves the mainland every hour on the hour and it leaves the island every hour on the half hour. The first ferry leaves the mainland at 9:00 A.M. and the last at 5:00 P.M. The first ferry leaves the island at 9:30 A.M. and the last at 5:30 P.M. You should be line for the ferry at least thirty minutes before the departure time. The trip takes 15 minutes each way. The round trip fare cost $12.00 or $7.00 for one way. Should you have any further questions about departure times or fares please hold on to the line. Thank you very much for choosing The Bell Ferry Company.

Question

Who would be most interested in this announcement?a) People working on the mainland.b) Fishermen.c) People who work or live on Bell

Island.d) The employees of The Bell Island Ferry Company.

Question

Who would be most interested in this announcement?

c) People who work or live on Bell Island.

Question

How can you hear this announcement?a) Go to the ferry terminal.b)  Call the ferry company.c)  Take a ride on the ferry.d)  Listen to the radio at 9:00 A.M.

Question

How can you hear this announcement?

b)  Call the ferry company.

Question

What’s the difference in price between a round trip and a one-way fare?

a)      $5.00b)      $12.00c)      $7.00d)      $17.00

Question

What’s the difference in price between a round trip and a one-way fare?

a)      $5.00

THE END