TOEIC Listening Practice: Short Talks

The TOEIC Listening and Reading test is a test designed to measure your abilities in the English language. It is separate from the TOEIC Speaking and Writing exam because it only tests your English comprehension in two areas: Listening and Reading (which seems apparent). The Listening portion is subdivided into four sections: Photographs, Question – Response, Conversations and Short Talks. The questions below are samples of the Short Talks section, or Part 4 of TOEIC Listening. To see examples for the rest of the Listening and Reading test, take a peek here at even more TOEIC Listening Practice. And if you need more information about TOEIC Reading, here are the details. 

TOEIC Listening Short Talks Example 1

You will hear:

Questions 71 through 73 refer to the following announcement.

(Woman): Managers, I'd like to thank you for coming to our staff meeting this morning. As you know, the company has been experiencing financial difficulties lately, resulting in the loss of many of our valuable employees, people who have worked under your management. Although we hope that a continuation of layoffs will not be necessary to recoup our status, we may have another round of dismissals in the near future. If we must continue the layoffs, I will need a list of two people from each department whom you could afford to lose if necessary. I know this isn't easy, and it may not happen. I just want to make you aware that it is a possibility. Any questions?

You will then hear:

71. Where did this speech take place?

You will read:

71. Where did this speech take place?
(A) In the boardroom
(B) In a staff meeting
(C) In a teleconference
(D) In the break room

You will hear:

72. What is the purpose of the woman's speech?

You will read:

72. What is the purpose of the woman's speech?
(A) To tell people they are being laid off
(B) To tell managers to lay people off
(C) To warn managers that a lay off may be coming
(D) To regain company morale by announcing bonuses.

You will hear:

73. What does the woman ask the managers to do?

You will read:

73. What does the woman ask the managers to do?
(A) Select two people from their department to possibly lay off.
(B) Warn the people in the department that they're losing their jobs.
(C) Come in an extra day to make up for the failing work force.
(D) Cut back their own hours to make up for the monetary losses.

Answers For Short Talks Example 1 Questions

TOEIC Listening Short Talks Example 2

You will hear:

Questions 74 through 76 refer to the following announcement.

(Man) Thanks for agreeing to meet with me, Mr. Finch. I know as the head of Finance, you're a busy man. I'd like to talk with you about our new hire in Accounting. She is doing great! She comes into work on time, stays late when I need her to, and consistently does a great job on whatever assignments I provide her. I know that you said her position was not permanent, but I'd truly like you to consider hiring her on full-time. She would be a valuable asset to our company because of her willingness to go the extra mile. I wish I had ten employees just like her. If you consider bringing her on, I'll take full responsibility for getting her over to Human Resources, and training her so she's the best she can be. Will you consider it?

You will then hear:

74. In which department does the new hire work?

You will read:

74. In which department does the new hire work?
(A) Human Resources
(B) Finance
(C) Accounting
(D) None of the above

You will then hear:

75. What does the man want?

You will read:

75. What does the man want?
(A) The new hire to be a full-time employee.
(B) A new intern to help with the workload.
(C) The manager to increase his pay.
(D) The manager to fire the new hire.

You will then hear:

76. What things has the new hire done to earn the manager's admiration?

You will read:

76. What things has the new hire done to earn the manager's admiration?
(A) Asked for more responsibility, organized a fund-raiser, and instituted new policies.
(B) Come into work on time, listened to her coworkers, and implemented changes to the old systems.
(C) Asked for more responsibility, organized meetings, and filed office papers.
(D) Come into work on time, stayed late when necessary, and gone the extra mile.

Answers For Short Talks Example 2 Questions