TOEIC Part 4 — Short Talks
TOEIC Part 4 presents 10 short monologues — announcements, advertisements, broadcasts, business talks — each followed by three printed questions. Talks are typically 30–45 seconds long.
Format
Audio plays once. Questions and answer choices are printed in the booklet. Some talks include a visual (schedule, map, chart) referenced by one of the questions. Total time: roughly 15 minutes.
Common pitfalls at the 600–800 band
- Format-locked listening. Test takers who memorize answers from one announcement format (e.g., flight announcements) get tripped up when the talk is in a different format (radio broadcast, voicemail).
- Numbers in talks. Part 4 talks frequently include several numbers (dates, prices, durations); the question typically asks about one of them. Test takers who don't note all numbers in real time guess.
- Speaker tone and intent. The third question for a talk often asks about speaker tone or intent. Test takers focused on factual content miss the tone cue.
High-scorer strategy
- Pre-read questions, just like Part 3. The 8-second pause between talks is enough time to scan all three questions for the next one.
- Take ultra-short notes on numbers. A small mark in the booklet next to a date or price is enough — you only need to remember it for 30 seconds.
- Listen for opening + closing framing. Most TOEIC Part 4 talks state the topic in the first sentence and the speaker's intent in the last; the middle is supporting detail.
Common questions about TOEIC Part 4
What kind of talks are in TOEIC Part 4?
TOEIC Part 4 talks include announcements (airports, stores, offices), advertisements, news broadcasts, weather reports, and business meeting introductions. There are 10 talks per test, each 30–45 seconds long, followed by 3 questions.
Is TOEIC Part 4 harder than Part 3?
TOEIC Part 4 is generally harder than Part 3 because the talks are denser with factual content and have no second speaker to repeat or clarify information. Test takers who score above 350 on Listening typically distinguish themselves in Part 4 accuracy rather than Part 3.
Can I take notes during TOEIC Part 4?
Yes, on the paper-based test you can make small marks in the test booklet to aid memory of numbers, dates, or speaker roles. On the digital test, scratch paper is provided. Excessive note-taking is counterproductive — the talks are too short to transcribe.
Related guides
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