TOEIC® Listening Part 2: Question and Response Tips to Boost Your Score

The TOEIC® Listening Section, Part 2: Question and Response, can be tricky because it requires you to quickly understand the question and choose the best response from three options. But don’t worry, with the right strategies, you can improve your accuracy and confidence.

In this post, we’ll walk through essential tips to help you succeed in this section. And to make sure you’re ready, check out the practice question video!

1. Understand the Format

In Part 2, you’ll hear a question or statement followed by three response options (A, B, C). Your goal is to choose the most appropriate response. The key here is to listen carefully and think fast, since you’ll only hear the question and responses once.

2. Focus on the First Word

The first word of the question or statement often gives you a big clue. For example:

• Who asks about a person.
• When asks about time.
• What asks about an action or object.
• Where asks about a location.

By quickly identifying the question type, you can eliminate incorrect answers and focus on the best option.

3. Avoid Distractors

TOEIC often includes tricky “distractors,” which are response options that sound right but don’t actually answer the question. Stay sharp and listen carefully to avoid being misled. Distractors usually include:

• Answers that repeat words from the question but don’t logically follow.
• Responses that sound similar to the question but aren’t relevant.

4. Practice Short, Simple Responses

In Part 2, many correct answers are short and direct. Often, the most straightforward response is the right one. Make sure you are comfortable with common phrases like:

• “Yes, I did.”
• “At 3 PM.”
• “In the office.”

5. Watch Out for Negative Questions

If the question is negative (e.g., “Didn’t you go to the meeting?”), be aware that the expected answer might include clarification or a correction, like:

• “No, I didn’t, but I plan to attend later.”

6. Improve Your Listening Speed

Part 2 moves quickly. Practice listening to short questions and responses to improve your speed. The more you practice, the easier it will become to pick up on key information even in short audio clips.

7. Take Advantage of Practice Materials

Practice is key! Try listening to a variety of native English speakers with different accents to build your understanding. Our Famous James practice tests and videos use a variety of voices (even this practice question uses three different voices) to provide a great way to strengthen your listening skills.

Check out the video for a practice question in action!

By honing your listening skills and using these tips, you’ll improve your ability to respond accurately in TOEIC Listening Part 2. Keep practicing, stay focused, and remember—confidence is key!