TOEIC® Listening Part 1: Mastering Photographs – Strategies for Success

Part 1 of the TOEIC Listening section is all about photographs. You’ll listen to four statements about a picture, and your job is to pick the statement that best matches what’s happening in the image. This part of the test may seem simple, but it’s all about being attentive to details. Here are some key strategies to help you succeed in Part 1.

Tips for Success

1. Focus on the Whole Picture: Don’t just look at the main subject—take in the entire scene. Pay attention to the background, the objects, and any actions happening in the photograph. The correct answer might refer to something subtle that’s easy to miss.

2. Listen for Distractors: The test often includes statements with similar-sounding words or common situations that don’t match the photo. Be careful of statements that sound reasonable but don’t quite fit the image. Words that seem correct at first might actually be misleading.

3. Identify the Key Actions: Make sure to note what is happening in the picture. Who is doing what? The correct answer often describes an action, so focus on the activities taking place and the objects involved.

4. Use Elimination: If you’re not sure of the correct answer, use elimination to get rid of any statements that clearly don’t match the image. This approach will help you narrow down your choices and make an educated guess if needed.

Practice with Famous James Adventures!

To help you get comfortable with TOEIC Part 1, Famous James Adventures offers three different types of photographs in our practice materials:

1. Illustrations from the Famous James Adventure Series: These are colorful illustrations taken directly from the Famous James Adventures series. While reading the books may help you understand the context of these images, it’s not necessarily required for answering the practice questions. The goal is to help you feel more comfortable during the test by seeing familiar images from the Famous James world.

2. Color Photographs: Unlike the official TOEIC test, which uses black and white photos, we include color images in some of our practice sections. This is because part of learning English is enjoying the beauty of different cultures in vivid color. Practicing with these photos can make your preparation more engaging and enjoyable, helping you connect with the language in a more meaningful way.

3. Black and White Images: To give you a realistic TOEIC® experience, we also offer practice materials with black and white photographs, just like those used in the actual exam. These black and white sections are designed to get you fully prepared for what you will face on test day, giving you the familiarity and confidence you need.

Ready to Practice?

Practicing for Part 1 is all about exposure to different types of images and focusing on the details that matter most. Whether it’s colorful illustrations, vivid photographs, or the black and white pictures that match the TOEIC exam, our practice materials will help you develop the skills to confidently approach this part of the listening test. Start practicing today, and make sure you’re ready to spot every detail on test day! Try the practice video and see how you do.