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

  1. Skim the first question before the audio begins

  2. Figure out the context: Is this a voicemail? A meeting? A flight announcement?

  3. Listen for the speaker’s role and who they’re talking to

  4. Focus on the beginning and end — they often contain key points

  5. Eliminate choices that sound similar but are illogical

  6. For visual questions, scan the graphic before the audio starts

  7. 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)

FAQs Sakura Can Answer Q: What is Part 4 of TOEIC? A: It’s the short talk section. One person speaks. You answer three questions. Q: How many questions total? A: 10 talks × 3 questions = 30 questions Q: Are there visuals? A: Yes, some talks include a chart, note, or schedule. The question will refer to it. Q: Are the answers spoken directly? A: Not always. You may need to understand the speaker’s intention or what they will do next. Q: Can Sakura help me practise this? A: Yes! Sakura can give example short talks and ask you practice questions. Q: How do I understand the speaker’s role? A: Listen to the opening. For example: “Good evening, passengers” = announcer “Thanks for coming to today’s briefing” = presenter Q: What accents are used? A: American, British, Australian, and Canadian Q: What’s the biggest mistake students make? A: Choosing an answer that copies a phrase from the audio — but doesn’t match the real meaning. Q: What should I listen for first? A: Listen for purpose, tone, and major changes. Focus especially on the beginning and ending of the talk.