🎯 TOEIC Part 4: Talks

Understand real-world English faster. Score higher with strategy.

In TOEIC Listening Part 4, you’ll hear one person speaking — like a tour guide, receptionist, or office worker.
Each talk has three questions.
There are 10 talks total → 30 questions.

This section checks how well you understand real-life spoken English in business and daily situations.
If you’re scoring in the 400–600 range, the right habits can make this one of your fastest gains.

1 – Know the Format and Flow

  • 3 questions per talk — you don’t need every word, just enough for the answers.

  • Preview questions quickly before the audio starts — it gives you a target.

  • Expect topics like announcements, meeting updates, travel info, event notices.

  • The first sentence often reveals the topic — don’t miss it.

  • Most talks follow a time order — track what happens first, next, last.

2 – Find the Purpose and Main Idea

  • Identify the speaker’s role — receptionist, driver, sales rep, instructor.

  • Ask: Why are they speaking? Giving instructions? Announcing a delay? Selling something?

  • Listen for transition phrases (“Let’s move on…”, “In conclusion…”) — they mark topic changes.

  • Note the tone — polite, frustrated, excited — it can change the meaning.

3 – Catch Details and Clues

  • Stay alert for numbers — time, date, price, quantity.

  • Use any visuals or charts — glance before listening.

  • Listen for signal words (“First…”, “So the plan is…”) to follow structure.

  • Watch for future plans — “What will the speaker probably do next?” is common.

  • Use context clues — the sentence before or after often fills gaps.

4 – Stay Steady Under Pressure

  • Use elimination — cut answers that don’t make sense.

  • Never leave blanks — guess if you’re unsure.

  • Let go of missed questions — refocus instantly.

  • Practice active listening — think about meaning as you hear it.

  • Train at real test speed with authentic TOEIC samples.

You don’t need perfect English for Part 4 — you need patterns, focus, and calm.
Train your ear, trust your logic, and listen with purpose.

For more strategies and resources to strengthen your Listening skills, visit the English Library Collection and get ideas you can apply to your Part 4 preparation.

A black-and-white photograph of a senior Western female executive standing behind a lectern, delivering a formal announcement to an unseen audience. She appears confident and composed, suggesting a company-wide message or leadership speech.
Q1 TOEICパート4はどんな問題ですか？ ラジオやアナウンスのように、1人の話者が話します。各トークの後に3つの質問に答えます。 What is TOEIC Part 4 about? One person speaks, like on a radio or in an announcement. You answer 3 questions after each short talk. Q2 トークはいくつあって、問題数は何問ですか？ トークは10個あり、それぞれに3問の質問があるので、合計30問です。 How many talks and questions are there? There are 10 talks. Each talk has 3 questions. So, 30 questions in total. Q3 音声が始まる前に質問を読んだ方がいいですか？ はい。事前に質問を読むことで、どこに注目すべきかが分かりやすくなります。 Should I read the questions before the audio starts? Yes. Previewing the questions helps you focus on what to listen for. Q4 最初の一文は重要ですか？ はい。最初の文でトークの話題が分かることが多いです。 Is the first sentence important? Yes. It usually tells you the topic of the talk. Q5 すべての単語を理解する必要がありますか？ いいえ。大事なのは主な内容、重要な情報、話し手の目的です。 Do I need to understand every word? No. Focus on the main idea, key details, and the speaker’s purpose. Q6 どんなトピックが出題されますか？ アナウンス、ビジネス会議、電話などがよく出ます。 What kinds of topics appear? Common ones include announcements, business meetings, and phone calls. Q7 話し手の口調や感情も大事ですか？ はい。話し手の感情（喜び、怒り、丁寧さ、驚きなど）もヒントになります。 Is tone or feeling important to understand? Yes. Tone can help you know if they’re happy, angry, polite, or surprised. Q8 答えが分からない場合、その問題を飛ばしてもいいですか？ いいえ。必ずどれかを選んでください。間違えても減点はありません。 Can I skip a question if I don’t know the answer? No. Always choose an answer. There’s no penalty for wrong answers. Q9 パート4では図や表は使われますか？ はい。スケジュールや図を使った問題もあります。 Are visuals or graphics used in Part 4? Yes. Some questions show schedules or charts you must refer to. Q10 消去法は使った方がいいですか？ はい。明らかに違う選択肢を消すと、正解率が上がります。 Should I use elimination to find the answer? Yes. Eliminate clearly wrong options to improve your chances.