Selecting Natural Responses

Introduction

Part 2 is the second part of Section I: Listening. It contains 25 questions, about 12 % of the 200 questions on the test, and each question has only three options instead of four. You hear a short question or statement, then three possible responses: (A), (B) and (C). Nothing is printed in the test book for this part; you only look at the answer sheet. You choose the response that sounds most natural in a real conversation.

Part 2 has no passage to follow and no picture to study. It is a test of fast, accurate comprehension of spoken English, and of a skill that is easy to underestimate: knowing what a natural reply looks like. A clever candidate can lose points here because they translate each word instead of asking, "What would a person say next?" A strategic candidate can gain points even when a few words are missed, because many wrong answers can be recognized by their form rather than their meaning.

After this lesson you will be able to:

• identify the question type from the first one or two words;
• predict the shape of a natural answer;
• recognize direct, indirect and "non-answer" responses that are correct;
• avoid sound-alike, same-word and wrong-tense traps;
• handle tag questions, negative questions, choice questions, statements and requests;
• use a "keep the first words in memory" technique when the speaker talks fast.

Learning objectives

1. Describe the format and timing of Part 2.
2. Classify each question by its opening words (Wh-words, auxiliary verbs, statements).
3. Match each question type with the kinds of reply that fit.
4. Name the six classic traps and detect them in practice.
5. Understand why indirect answers ("I'll have to check") are often correct.
6. Apply an elimination routine in about 8 seconds per item.

1. The task and the timing

You hear the question once, then the three options, each once. The gap between items is very short, only a few seconds, so you cannot dwell on one item. If you lose the thread, mark a guess immediately and be ready for the next.

Because there are only three choices, a random guess has a one-in-three chance, better than in the four-option parts. Never leave a blank.

Part 2 also tests register. The speakers are colleagues, customers, managers and friends. The language is polite, workplace-oriented and informal: schedules, meetings, equipment, deliveries, travel, orders, directions and invoices.

2. The golden rule: listen to the first words

The first one to three words of the question tell you what kind of answer is expected. Decide on the type, then listen to the options through that filter.

Wh-questions

Three important features:

1. The answer to a Yes/No question never begins with a Wh-type fact. If the question is "Did you send the invoice?", the answer "At the front desk" is wrong.
2. A Wh-question never has a plain Yes/No answer. If you hear "Where is the meeting?" and the first words of an option are "Yes, I did," eliminate it at once. This is the fastest elimination in Part 2.
3. The answer may be indirect. For "Who is going to lead the training?" a correct answer can be "I haven't seen the schedule yet." It does not name a person, but it is a normal way to say "I don't know."

Yes/No questions

These start with Do, Does, Did, Is, Are, Was, Were, Have, Has, Can, Could, Will, Would, Should. Answers can start with Yes/No, but frequently do not:

• "Did you finish the report?" → "Yes, I sent it this morning." / "Not yet." / "I'm still working on it." / "Mr. Kim has it."

All of them are correct types of answer: they all address the question of whether the report is finished.

Choice questions

They offer alternatives with or: "Would you like tea or coffee?" The answer chooses one ("Coffee, please"), rejects both ("Neither, thanks"), or accepts either ("Either is fine").

Trap: repeating one of the choices in a different sentence that does not answer ("The coffee machine is broken" can be a trap, or in a particular context a valid indirect answer; check relevance).

Tag questions and negative questions

"The presentation starts at nine, doesn't it?" is a Yes/No question in disguise. "Haven't you met our new director?" is a negative question. Treat both as Yes/No questions: the answer addresses whether the thing is true.

Statements

Part 2 often presents a statement instead of a question: "The copier is out of paper." Natural responses are a reaction, an offer, a follow-up, or an explanation:

• "I'll get some from the storeroom."
• "Oh, I filled it an hour ago."
• "There's more in the cabinet."

Requests, offers and suggestions

• "Could you send me the agenda?" → "Sure, I'll e-mail it now."
• "Would you like some help with those boxes?" → "That would be great."
• "Why don't we reschedule the meeting?" → "That's fine with me."

These are answered with agreement, refusal or a condition ("Only if Mr. Ito is free").

3. The six classic traps

1. Sound-alike. An option contains a word that sounds like a word in the question but has a different meaning. Question: "Where is the copy room?" Wrong answer: "I'd like a coffee, please." Typical pairs: right/write/light, desk/disk, copy/coffee, file/fire, sale/sail, week/weak.
2. Same word repeated. The option repeats a key word from the question but does not answer. Question: "When is the deadline?" Wrong: "The deadline is very important." The best answers often use different words, because natural conversation avoids repeating.
3. Wrong question word. The reply fits a different Wh-word. Question: "Who ordered the supplies?" Wrong: "Yesterday afternoon." (answers when).
4. Wrong tense or person. Question: "Did Ana attend the seminar?" Wrong: "Yes, I will go next week." The tense does not fit. Question: "Is he coming?" Wrong: "I'm leaving at six." The person differs.
5. Related but irrelevant. The answer is on the same topic but ignores the question: "How much is the shipping?" → "The package is heavy." Related vocabulary does not equal an answer.
6. Yes/No to a Wh-question. Already seen: eliminate immediately.

Exam tip. The first option that sounds right is not necessarily correct. Because (A), (B) and (C) are read in sequence and (C) is the last thing you hear, many candidates answer (C) automatically when they are confused. Instead, keep a note of what you eliminated.

4. What counts as a natural, indirect answer?

A typical Part 2 shift is the indirect response. In real life, speakers say "I don't know", "Ask someone else", "It depends" and "Let me check". These are correct whenever they logically respond to the question.

If you hear an unknown word, ask: "Does this sound like what a colleague would say?" If yes, it is a strong candidate.

5. The elimination routine

1. Hear the first words. Name the type: Who? Where? Yes/No? Statement?
2. Hold a simple answer pattern in your head: person, place, time, yes/no, offer.
3. Hear (A). Is it relevant? Accept, reject or "maybe".
4. Hear (B). Same.
5. Hear (C). Same.
6. Choose the best "accept". If two "maybe" remain, choose the one that is more natural and does not repeat the same words as the question.
7. Mark the answer and listen to the next first words. Do not replay in your mind.

6. Worked example 1: a When question

Audio. Question: "When will the new training schedule be posted?" (A) On the bulletin board in the break room. (B) Probably by the end of the week. (C) No, I haven't had time to train.

Reasoning.

1. The question starts with When, so we expect a time.
2. (A) answers where the schedule will be posted. It reuses the idea of "posted" but gives a place. ✘ Wrong question word.
3. (B) gives a time. ✔
4. (C) starts with No, which cannot answer a Wh-question, and repeats "train" from "training" (same-word trap). ✘

Answer: (B).

Why not (A)? It is tempting because it is a well-formed sentence about the schedule. The lesson: a fluent sentence on the topic is not an answer if it responds to a different question word.

7. Worked example 2: a Yes/No question with an indirect answer

Audio. Question: "Has the client confirmed the order yet?" (A) Yes, she ordered the same thing last time. (B) I'm still waiting for her e-mail. (C) The confirmation is on the second shelf.

Reasoning.

1. This is a Yes/No question (Has). It asks whether the order is confirmed.
2. (A) begins with Yes, but then talks about a past order and does not confirm anything now. The tense does not match (a past habit versus a present result). ✘
3. (B) means "not yet" and gives a reason. ✔ A typical indirect "no".
4. (C) uses confirmation (a repeated word) and talks about an object location. ✘ Related but irrelevant.

Answer: (B).

8. Worked example 3: a statement

Audio. Statement: "The projector in Conference Room B isn't working." (A) I'll ask the technician to take a look. (B) The conference starts at ten. (C) No, I don't have a projector at home.

Reasoning.

1. A statement about a problem invites an offer or a reaction.
2. (A) offers a solution. ✔
3. (B) reuses conference in a different meaning (sound/word trap) and gives a time. ✘ Does not respond.
4. (C) starts with No, a reply to a Yes/No question, and shifts to "at home". ✘

Answer: (A).

9. Worked example 4: a choice question

Audio. Question: "Should we meet in the morning or in the afternoon?" (A) I'm free after two. (B) Yes, we should. (C) The meeting was productive.

Reasoning.

• (A) chooses the afternoon by giving a time ("after two" falls in the afternoon). ✔ It does not repeat the exact word but it selects an alternative.
• (B) "Yes" does not choose between alternatives. ✘
• (C) The topic is similar but the tense and meaning do not respond. ✘

Answer: (A). Choice questions are often answered with a detail that implies one of the options.

10. Common structures to recognize quickly

The Would you mind trap

"Would you mind closing the window?" asks permission or a favor. "Not at all" and "Of course not" mean I don't mind; I will do it. "Yes" is ambiguous and rarely appears as the correct answer. Candidates sometimes hear "Not at all" and think it is negative. Learn it as positive.

11. Vocabulary and context

Part 2 uses everyday business topics. Group your vocabulary by theme:

• Meetings and schedules: agenda, postpone, reschedule, attend, be held, minutes, deadline, availability.
• Office equipment: copier, projector, supplies, cabinet, break room, printer cartridge.
• Orders and deliveries: shipment, invoice, receipt, refund, backorder, estimate, quote.
• Travel: itinerary, boarding pass, delay, reservation, layover, round trip.
• People and roles: supervisor, colleague, client, supplier, applicant, receptionist, technician.
• Directions and places: around the corner, across from, down the hall, upstairs, next to, on the way.

Practice by writing, for each theme, three typical questions and three natural replies (one direct, one indirect, one refusal). This builds the pattern recognition that Part 2 rewards.

12. Frequent pitfalls

• Answering a different question. Because the options are read quickly, you may remember the topic of the question but forget the question word. Say the question word silently ("WHO") and keep it.
• Falling for the repeated word. When your ear catches a familiar word in an option, treat it with suspicion.
• Looking for a "perfect" reply. The right option is usually "good enough" and fits naturally.
• Over-reacting to missed words. If you miss the end of the question, use the first words and the options' form.
• Pausing after a missed item. The audio continues; refocus on the next first words.
• Ignoring politeness. In requests, a polite acceptance ("Certainly") is better than a blunt correct-sounding fact.

13. Mini case study with solution

Situation. Marco prepares for the TOEIC for a promotion at an export company. On his practice Part 2, he scores 15/25. He keeps a log of his errors:

1. "Who is organizing the sales conference?" He chose: "It's in Chicago this year."
2. "Could you e-mail me the revised contract?" He chose: "Yes, the contract is on my desk."
3. "Isn't the shipment supposed to arrive today?" He chose: "Shipping is expensive."
4. "Would you like to review the budget now or after lunch?" He chose: "Yes, I would."
5. "Why is the warehouse closed?" He chose: "No, it opens at eight."

Tasks. Identify the trap and give a better reply.

Solution.

1. Wrong question word. "In Chicago" answers where. A good reply: "Ms. Perez from the events team."
2. Same word repeated / does not respond. A request needs acceptance or refusal. Good reply: "Sure, I'll send it in a few minutes."
3. Related but irrelevant (sound/word association). The negative question asks whether the shipment arrives today. Good reply: "It was delayed until tomorrow."
4. Yes to a choice question. A choice needs a choice. Good reply: "After lunch would be better."
5. Yes/No to a Wh-question. A reason is needed. Good reply: "There's a power outage in the area."

Training plan. For two weeks Marco does 25 items a day. After each set, he labels each mistake with one of the six traps and rewrites the correct answer. He also trains his ear for the first words by pausing the audio after the first two words and predicting the answer type. His score rises to 21/25 because errors are now systematic rather than random.

Key terms

• Wh-question: starts with who, what, when, where, why, how, which, whose.
• Yes/No question: answered by affirmation or negation, with or without the words yes or no.
• Tag question: a statement with a short question at the end ("…, isn't it?").
• Indirect response: a reply that does not literally answer but is logical ("I'll check").
• Distractor: a wrong option designed to be attractive.
• Sound-alike trap: a similar-sounding word with a different meaning.
• Register: the level of formality in language.

Summary checklist

• Part 2 has 25 items, three options, nothing printed.
• I decide the question type from the first words.
• I eliminate Yes/No answers to Wh-questions immediately.
• I accept indirect answers such as "I'll check" and "Ask Ms. Chen".
• I distrust options that repeat a word from the question.
• I check tense, person and question word.
• I handle choice questions with a selecting answer.
• I guess and move on when unsure, and never leave a blank.

Official sources

• ETS, About the TOEIC Listening and Reading Test: https://www.ets.org/toeic/about/listening-reading.html (opens in a new tab)
• ETS, TOEIC Listening and Reading Examinee Handbook: https://www.ets.org/pdfs/toeic/toeic-listening-reading-test-examinee-handbook.pdf (opens in a new tab)
• ETS, test taker information: https://www.ets.org/toeic/test-takers/listening-reading/about.html (opens in a new tab)