TOEIC Part 2: How to Handle the Question-Response Section with Confidence

Improve your TOEIC Listening Score with Easy-to-Follow Tips

In TOEIC Listening Part 2, you’ll hear one question or short statement, then three possible responses.
No text. No repeats.
That’s why it feels fast — especially if your score is in the 400–600 range.

But with the right habits, Part 2 can go from “tricky” to one of your highest-scoring sections.

1 – Understand the Real Question

Not every question needs a direct answer.
If someone says, “Did you call Mr. Tanaka?” the best choice might be: “I left him a message this morning.”
It fits the situation — even without “Yes” or “No.”

Don’t chase single keywords. TOEIC will repeat them in wrong answers to mislead you.

2 – Let the First Words Guide You

The start of a sentence tells you a lot:

  • What / Where / When → Expect a place, thing, or time.

  • How long → Expect a time/duration.

  • Yes/No questions → The correct answer might explain, give a reason, or politely reject — not just “Yes” or “No.”

3 – Think in English, Not Japanese

You don’t have time to translate in your head.
Understand the meaning as you hear it.
Be alert for words that sound the same but mean different things (right = correct vs. right = direction).

4 – Don’t Fall for Familiar Sounds

A choice might contain a word or phrase you know — but if it doesn’t match the meaning, it’s wrong.
TOEIC loves “distractors” that sound nice but don’t fit.

5 – Use Functional Phrases

Phrases you’ve heard hundreds of times — “Let me check,” “That depends,” “I’ll take care of it” — often appear here.
Match the tone: formal voices need formal answers.

6 – Stay Fully Present

No text. One listen. Short gaps.
Train at real test speed — not slowed audio.
When one question ends, reset your focus immediately for the next.

7 – Always Choose

No penalty for wrong answers.
If unsure, pick the most natural-sounding reply. Usually, two answers will feel wrong, one will feel okay — that “okay” one is often right.

8 – Practice with Purpose

  • Listen to TOEIC-style audio at full speed.

  • Check the script afterwards.

  • Ask: What type of question was this? Why was this answer correct?

  • Repeat until the connection between question type → natural answer becomes automatic.

You can train your brain to catch meaning in seconds.
Stay calm, listen with purpose, and answer with logic — not guesses.

For more strategies and resources to strengthen your Listening skills, visit the English Library Collection and sharpen the exact skills Part 2 tests.

A black-and-white photograph of a woman gesturing clearly toward a window while speaking to a man who looks confused. They are in an office setting, and the window remains closed. Several books are stacked on the table between them.
❓ 応答問題に関するよくある質問 / TOEIC Part 2 FAQ Q: パート2では何回音声が流れますか？ A: 一度だけ流れます。繰り返しはありません。集中して聞いてください。 Q: How many times is the audio played in Part 2? A: Only once. There is no repeat. Focus carefully the first time. Q: 答えが "Yes" や "No" で始まらないことがあるのはなぜですか？ A: パート2の正解は、質問に対して直接答える必要はありません。関連する情報が自然に返ってくる場合があります。 Q: Why doesn’t the correct answer always begin with "Yes" or "No"? A: In Part 2, the correct response doesn't always directly answer the question. It might be a natural, related reply. Q: 聞こえた単語がそのまま正解になりますか？ A: 単語が一致していても、それが正解とは限りません。意味をよく考えて選びましょう。 Q: If I hear a word match, is that the correct answer? A: Not always. Just because a word sounds the same doesn’t mean it’s correct. Focus on meaning. Q: 応答の選択肢は画面に表示されますか？ A: いいえ。パート2では音声のみが流れます。表示はされません。 Q: Are the answer choices shown on the screen in Part 2? A: No. In Part 2, everything is audio only. Nothing appears on the screen. Q: 難しい単語が分からないときはどうすればいいですか？ A: 単語よりも意味と自然な流れに注目してください。消去法も有効です。 Q: What should I do if I don’t understand a difficult word? A: Focus on the overall meaning and natural flow. Use elimination to help. Q: 質問と応答の間はどのくらい短いですか？ A: とても短いです。0.5～1秒程度しかありません。タイミングに慣れておくことが重要です。 Q: How short is the gap between the question and answer? A: Very short—only about half a second to one second. You need to be ready for it. Q: 音声を聞いている間にメモを取るべきですか？ A: パート2ではメモを取る時間はありません。集中して耳で覚えることが大事です。 Q: Should I take notes during Part 2? A: No. There’s no time for note-taking in Part 2. Just focus on listening. Q: 練習のときは音声を遅くしてもいいですか？ A: 最初はゆっくりでもいいですが、最終的には本番と同じ速度で練習してください。 Q: Can I slow down the audio when I practice? A: It’s okay at first, but practice at real test speed as soon as you can. Q: まったくわからないときはどうすればいいですか？ A: 必ず何かを選びましょう。間違えても減点はないので、空欄にはしないでください。 Q: What should I do if I don’t understand anything? A: Always choose something. There’s no penalty for a wrong answer, so never leave it blank.