TOEIC Listening Part 2: Question–Response — Expert Guide

In this part of the test, there’s no photo, no printed text — just a voice asking something, and three possible replies. You get one chance to hear it. That’s why Part 2 can feel like a trap waiting to happen. The good news? With the right strategies, you can make it one of your highest-scoring sections.

🎯 What Part 2 Really Tests

In the Question–Response section, you hear a short question or statement followed by three answer choices (A, B, C).
Your job: choose the response that makes sense in logic, tone, and natural English.

  • No text in the booklet — it’s all audio, played once.

  • Prompts can be questions or comments.

  • Correct answers are often subtle, not the “obvious-sounding” one.

⚠️ Common Challenges for Test Takers

  • Similar-sounding words: A distractor repeats a sound from the question but is unrelated.

  • Illogical answers: Grammatically fine, but wrong in meaning.

  • Echo traps: Copy a word from the prompt without answering it.

  • Unfamiliar phrases: Idioms, casual reductions (“gonna,” “lemme”) can cause hesitation.

  • Tricky WH- questions: “Where,” “When,” “Which,” “How” — especially when the clue is in prepositions or time.

  • Statement prompts: Require a reaction, not a literal answer.

🛠️ Step-by-Step Strategy

  1. Listen for intent — is it asking for action, information, or agreement?

  2. Predict before you hear the choices — answer it in your head first.

  3. Eliminate the wrong ones fast — mismatched tense, off-topic, or socially odd.

  4. Match tone — formal with formal, casual with casual.

  5. Prioritise logic over keywords — the best choice may share no words with the question.

  6. Avoid echo traps — repeated words ≠ correct answer.

  7. Commit and move on — hesitation costs you later.

🧠 Test Tips & Common Traps

  • Correct answers often avoid repeating the question’s key words.

  • Social awkwardness = usually wrong.

  • Totally unrelated options are there to distract — skip them fast.

  • If the question implies action, a plain yes/no is often incorrect.

  • Learn stock phrases: “Let me check,” “I’m not sure yet,” “It’s on the second floor.”

  • Pay attention to polite request forms (“Could you,” “Would you mind”) — they require a polite, indirect reply.

📌 Quick Example

Q: “When does the next train leave?”
❌ A: “Yes, I like trains.” (echo trap)
❌ B: “In the ticket office.” (wrong information type)
✅ C: “In about 10 minutes.” (logical, direct answer)

Final Word

Part 2 rewards quick thinking and clear listening. The more you practise recognising tone, intent, and natural English rhythm, the less you’ll be fooled by traps.

For more strategies and resources to sharpen your TOEIC listening logic, visit the English Library Collection and start mastering Part 2 with confidence.

FAQs for Sakura Q: What is TOEIC Listening Part 2? A: It’s the Question–Response section. You hear a question or short sentence, followed by 3 response choices. Choose the one that makes the most sense. Q: How many questions are in Part 2? A: There are 25 questions in this section. Q: Are the responses written in the test booklet? A: No. You must listen carefully — the options are not printed. Q: What makes a wrong answer in Part 2? A: Responses that sound similar but make no sense, echo words from the question, or are socially incorrect. Q: Can Sakura help me practise Part 2? A: Yes! Just say “Let's practise TOEIC Part 2” and Sakura will give you examples, explanations, or test-style practice. Q: What should I do if I miss part of the question? A: Don’t panic. Eliminate any obviously wrong answers and go with the one that fits the tone and logic. Q: What is an echo trap? A: It’s a response that uses a word from the question but doesn’t actually answer it. Example: Q: “Where are the reports?” → A: “Yes, they are reports.” Q: How should I deal with fast or unclear audio? A: Train your ears by listening to real English conversations or TOEIC samples. Focus on patterns and intent, not individual words. Q: Are there any grammar patterns I should know? A: Yes — modal verbs (“Could you,” “Would you”), WH- questions, indirect questions, and polite responses are common. Q: How do I know if a response is logical? A: Ask yourself: Does this sound like what a real person would say? If it sounds robotic or off-topic, it’s likely wrong.