🕵️ TOEIC Part 5 Strategy: Solve the Case with One Word
Part 5 questions might look short.
But they’re trickier than they seem.
Each sentence has a hole — and four options to fill it.
It’s like a mini mystery.
And the goal isn’t to read everything.
It’s to solve the case — fast.
🕵️♂️ Think Like a Detective, Not a Language Student
In school, we were told to read carefully, understand everything, and think deeply.
But on the TOEIC test, that will slow you down.
Imagine you're a detective. You walk into the room, and someone says:
“Here’s the scene. You’ve got 30 seconds. What’s your move?”
You don’t sit down to analyse every book on the shelf.
You scan for fingerprints. You look for key details.
You move fast, and you trust your training.
That’s Part 5.
🔍 What Kind of Clues Are You Looking For?
Each question gives you just enough information to make the right choice.
You don’t need to understand the full sentence — just the part that matters.
There are three main types of clues:
1. Grammar Clues
Look for word form, subject-verb agreement, prepositions, etc.
🧠 Clue: “The report ___ by the manager.”
🧩 Options: a. writes / b. wrote / c. is written / d. writing
💡 Answer: is written (passive form)
2. Logic Clues
You need to judge how parts of the sentence connect — like cause and effect, contrast, or condition.
🧠 Clue: “He was late, ___ he left early.”
🧩 Options: a. because / b. although / c. so / d. if
💡 Answer: although (contrast)
3. Vocabulary Clues
Some questions test your word choice — but always within a pattern or fixed phrase.
🧠 Clue: “We apologize ___ the delay.”
🧩 Options: a. on / b. to / c. for / d. at
💡 Answer: for
🧠 Strategy = Speed + Accuracy
Don’t try to understand every word.
Don’t translate.
Don’t reread the whole sentence 3 times.
Instead:
Look for the hole — what kind of word is missing?
Scan for clues — what part of the sentence controls the choice?
Choose the best option — trust your logic and keep moving.
It’s not about being perfect.
It’s about being effective.
🚨 Common Trap: Too Much Thinking
Most learners stuck in Part 5 are actually overthinking.
They treat every sentence like a reading test.
But Part 5 is really a judgment test.
The right answer is usually clear — if you don’t second-guess yourself.
✅ Your Part 5 Mission
If you want to improve:
Practice judging, not translating
Focus on patterns, not memorization
Use a timer — train for speed
Review mistakes by type (grammar / logic / vocabulary)
You don’t need more English.
You need better pattern recognition.
Train like a test-taker — not like a student.
Be the detective.
Get in, spot the clue, solve the case.
That’s how you win Part 5.
