TOEIC Listening Part 4: Mastering Short Talks
Part 4 of the TOEIC Listening Test features short talks given by a single speaker. This section can be challenging because there’s no back-and-forth conversation and no visual support from multiple voices. But with clear strategy and awareness of common traps, you can approach this part with clarity and confidence.
What is Part 4 of the TOEIC Listening Test?
You will hear 10 short talks
Each talk is spoken by 1 speaker only
Each talk has 3 questions (30 questions total)
The audio plays once only
Questions appear in your test booklet or on screen
Topics include announcements, voicemails, instructions, advertisements, etc.
What Makes Part 4 Challenging?
▶ Only one speaker — no dialogue clues
▶ Sentences can be longer or more formal
▶ Key information is often spread out — not grouped together
▶ Distractors repeat words from the audio but twist the meaning
▶ Some answers require inference, not direct quotes
▶ Visual aids are sometimes used (charts, schedules, etc.)
Question Types in Part 4
Each talk is followed by 3 multiple-choice questions. They may ask you:
What is the speaker’s purpose (e.g. giving instructions, apologizing, announcing something)
A specific detail (When? Where? What was said?)
What will happen next (inference)
What is the tone or attitude of the speaker
What a phrase means (“I’ll follow up on that” = promise, not past action)
How the audio relates to a visual (schedule, form, table)
Strategy: How to Master Part 4
Skim the first question before the audio begins
Figure out the context: Is this a voicemail? A meeting? A flight announcement?
Listen for the speaker’s role and who they’re talking to
Focus on the beginning and end — they often contain key points
Eliminate choices that sound similar but are illogical
For visual questions, scan the graphic before the audio starts
If you miss one, don’t panic — refocus for the next question
Common Traps and Mistakes to Avoid
❌ Choosing answers that use identical words but don’t match the true meaning
❌ Ignoring the first sentence — it often sets the tone or context
❌ Confusing emotional tone (e.g. urgency vs. rudeness)
❌ Misreading speaker intent (some talks are sales, others are warnings)
❌ Getting tricked by visual choices that look right but aren’t mentioned
❌ Assuming the final sentence contains the answer — not always true
Real-World Examples You Might Hear
A train station announcement about platform changes
A voicemail from a team leader asking for follow-up
A weather update or traffic report
A hotel front desk giving check-out instructions
A product advertisement
A presentation summary
A public service warning (e.g., construction delays)