TOEIC Listening Part 3: Mastering Conversations

Part 3 can feel like it’s moving at double speed — multiple voices, changing topics, and only one chance to hear it. But once you know where to focus and what to ignore, it becomes a section where you can score big.

🎯 What Part 3 Tests

In this section, you’ll hear 13 short conversations, each followed by three multiple-choice questions (39 questions total).
The topics feel real — workplace updates, travel changes, shopping exchanges, meetings, and service situations.
Questions appear on-screen or in your booklet as you listen. Expect American, British, Australian, and Canadian accents.

👥 Two vs. Three Speakers

  • Two speakers (most common): manager & employee, receptionist & customer, colleagues.

  • Three speakers (added in 2018): meetings, conference calls, group planning.

Pro tip: In three-person conversations, the third voice might only speak once — but that single line can hold the answer. Never tune them out.

📝 Question Types You’ll Face

Each conversation can test:

  • Details — time, location, decision made.

  • Purpose — why they’re talking or meeting.

  • Next steps — what someone will probably do.

  • Attitude — how a speaker feels or reacts.

  • Function — what a phrase means in context.

  • Visual link — connecting the audio to a chart, schedule, or sign.

⚠️ Common Challenges

  • Not enough time to read all 3 questions before audio starts.

  • Struggling to track 3 different voices.

  • Many answers are implied, not directly stated.

  • Distractors repeat audio keywords but twist the meaning.

  • Accents and casual speech cause hesitation.

🛠️ Winning Strategy

  1. Scan Question 1 fast before audio starts.

  2. Identify roles — who’s leading, who’s asking, who’s reacting.

  3. Listen for changes — delays, reschedules, new plans.

  4. If there’s a visual, glance before listening.

  5. Use logic — “Let’s reschedule” means the meeting is postponed.

  6. Eliminate mismatches in tone, tense, or purpose.

  7. Move on quickly — don’t chase lost details.

🚫 Traps to Avoid

  • Picking an answer just because it repeats a word you heard.

  • Ignoring the “quiet” speaker — they might deliver the key fact.

  • Misreading intent phrases — “I’ll handle that” is a promise, not past action.

  • Getting distracted by numbers or names that don’t matter.

  • Assuming the last sentence always hides the answer — it doesn’t.

Final Word

Part 3 rewards preparation. The more you practise identifying speaker roles, catching changes, and linking information to visuals, the more this section turns from chaos into control.

For more strategies and resources to boost your TOEIC conversation skills, visit the English Library Collection and start mastering Part 3 with confidence.

FAQs Sakura Can Answer Q: What is TOEIC Listening Part 3? A: It’s the conversation section. You hear two or three people talk and answer three questions about each conversation. Q: How many questions are there in total? A: There are 13 conversations with 3 questions each, so 39 questions. Q: How do I deal with 3 speakers? A: Focus on who says what. One speaker might speak only once — but their comment may be the answer. Q: Are the answers always directly spoken? A: No. Some questions ask what is implied or what will happen next. Q: What if I don’t understand the accent? A: Practice listening to different English accents: American, British, Australian, and Canadian. Don’t panic — focus on the meaning. Q: Are the visuals difficult? A: Not really. Just look at the chart or schedule before the audio starts. Listen for times, items, or decisions that match it. Q: Can Sakura help me practice this? A: Yes! Ask Sakura for two- or three-person conversations. She can give practice questions, ask comprehension checks, and explain tricky answers. Q: What’s the most common mistake students make? A: Choosing an answer that uses the same words from the audio — but doesn’t match the speaker’s real meaning. Q: What should I focus on first? A: Who the speakers are, what they want, and any problems or changes in the conversation.
Black and white photo of two people having a conversation at an airport.