PART 3: CONVERSATIONS

These are the directions for Part 3 of the TOEIC®test. Study them now. If you
understand these directions now, you will not have to read them during the test.

PART 3

Directions:You will hear some conversations between two people. You will be asked to answer
three questions about what the speakers say in each conversation. Select the best response to
each question and mark the letter (A), (B), (C), or (D) on your answer sheet. The conversations
will not be printed in your test book and will be spoken only one time.

STRATEGY OVERVIEW

LANGUAGE STRATEGIES

In this chapter, you will learn how certain words will help you identify the purpose of a
question. These are the purposes you will learn about:
• identifying time
• identifying people
• identifying intent
• identifying the topic
• identifying a reason
• identifying a location
• identifying an opinion
• identifying stress and tone
The words you will learn in this chapter will help you develop strategies to choose the
correct answer.

TEST STRATEGIES

In Part 3, like in Parts 1 and 2, some answer choices are designed to trick you. They are
written to seem like the correct answer. You must learn to recognize the way the answer
choices may seem correct:
• Some choices have words that sound similar to the correct answer.
• Some choices have words like the correct answer, but with a different meaning.
• Some choices have words used in a different context.

58 LISTENING COMPREHENSION
 • Some choices have incorrect details.
• Some choices make incorrect inferences.
• Some choices have irrelevant details.
Look at these examples:

Example 1
SPEAKER A: The prices at this restaurant are low, but the food's always cold.
SPEAKER B: I know, and the people who work here aren't very friendly.
SPEAKER A: Let's eat somewhere else.
What do they say about the restaurant?
(A) The people are friendly. (incorrect detail)
(B) The prices are low. (correct answer)
(C) The food is old. (sounds like correct answer)
(D) The service is slow. (sounds like correct answer)

Example 2
SPEAKER A: I'd like to book a flight to Santiago.
SPEAKER B: Certainly. When would you like to fly?
SPEAKER A: Next Monday. Can you make a hotel reservation for me, also?
What is Speaker B's occupation?
(A) Travel agent. (correct answer)
(B) Pilot. (incorrect inference)
(C) Hotel manager. (incorrect detail)
(D) Librarian. (incorrect inference)

Example 3
SPEAKER A: How's your accounting class, Marvin?
SPEAKER B: The teacher's interesting, but the work is really hard.
SPEAKER A: Well, at least you're not bored.
What does Marvin say about his class?
(A) It's boring. (incorrect detail)
(B) The chairs are hard. (word used in a different context)
(C) There's too much work. (incorrect detail)
(D) The teacher is interesting. (correct answer)

IMPORTANT NOTE:
This chapter focuses on learning strategies for Part 3 of the TOEIC. In this chapter there
is only one question for each conversation. This one question focuses on a particular
strategy. The Strategy Review at the end of this chapter has three questions for each
conversation just like the TOEIC.

CONVERSATIONS 59
 On the TOEIC test, one of the three questions for a conversation may ask about time.
For example:
When will he go?
How often does she come?
How long will they stay?

TIP

Read the questions and the answer choices quickly before you listen to the
conversation. When you listen to the conversation, listen for answers to the
questions about time.

Example 1

SPEAKER A: You're expecting Jeff Tuesday morning, right?

SPEAKER B: No, he won't be here tomorrow. Not until the day after.
SPEAKER A: At least he'll be here for Wednesday night's reception.

When is Jeff coming to visit? CD CD © ®

(A) Today.
(B) Tomorrow.
(C) Tuesday.
(D) Wednesday.
The correct answer is (D). Tomorrow is Tuesday, and he is coming the day after on
Wednesday. Choice (A) tries to confuse you with the similar sounding word today for
day. Choice (B) is mentioned as the day he is NOT coming. Choice (C) is the original
day he was to have come, but he is not coming on Tuesday.

Example 2

SPEAKER A: Is this a daily or a weekly newsletter?

SPEAKER B: Neither. It's a monthly.
SPEAKER A: Once every four weeks. That's enough time to read it.

How often does the newsletter come out? CD CD © ®

(A) Every day.
(B) Once a week.
(C) Once every other week.
(D) Once a month.
The correct answer is (D). The newsletter is a monthly. It is delivered once a month.
Choice (A) means daily, which is mentioned, but Speaker B says it's not a daily. Choice

60 LISTENING COMPREHENSION
 (B) means weekly, which is mentioned, but Speaker'B says it is not a weekly. Choice (C)
is incorrect because it says every other week.
Look for these words in a question that asks about time:

when
how often
how soon
how long ago
what time

Practice: Identifying Time

e DIRECTIONS: Listen to the conversation and then choose the statement that best
answers the question.

1. When did the package arrive? CD ® © ®

(A) This morning.
(B) Two days ago.
(C) Last Tuesday.
(D) On Friday.
2. How long ago did the speakers visit Paris? CD ® © ®
(A) A month ago.
(B) Two months ago.
(C) Ayear ago.
(D) Eight years ago.
3. When will Mark start his new job? CD ® © ®
(A) This afternoon.
(B) On Monday.
(C) In eight days.
(D) In two weeks.
4. How often does the woman travel to Tokyo? CD ® © ®
(A) Once a month.
(B) Four times a month.
(C) Once a year.
(D) Four times a year.
5. How soon will the contract be ready? CD ® © ®
(A) By morning.
(B) By this afternoon.
(C) In three days.
(D) In nine days.

CONVERSATIONS 61
 6. How long ago did the man buy the cell phone? CD CD © ®
(A) A week ago.
(B) Three weeks ago.
(C) Ayear ago.
(D) Five years ago.
7. When will the conference take place? CD CD © ®
(A) This afternoon.
(B) Tomorrow.
(C) On Friday.
(D) Next month.
8. How often does Tim order office supplies? CD CD © ®
(A) Every two days.
(B) Once a week.
(C) Every ten days.
(D) Once a month.
9. How soon will the car be ready? CD CD © ®
(A) This afternoon.
(B) Tomorrow.
(C) The day after tomorrow.
(D) On Friday.
10. How long has the woman been waiting? CD CD © ®
(A) Ten minutes.
(B) Fifteen minutes.
(C) Thirty minutes.
(D) Forty minutes.

62 LISTENING COMPREHENSION
On the TOEIC test, one of the three questions for a conversation may ask about people
and their occupations. For example:
Who are the speakers?
What is his job?

TIP

Read the questions and the answer choices quickly before you listen to the
conversation. When you listen to the conversation, listen for answers to the
questions about people.

Example 1

SPEAKER A: I've made your hotel reservations and reconfirmed your flights.
SPEAKER B: What about transfers from the airport to the hotel?
SPEAKER A: I can get you a car and driver, or you could take a taxi.

What is the first speaker's occupation? CD®©®

(A) A chauffeur.
(B) A hotel clerk.
(C) A flight attendant.
(D) A travel agent.
The correct answer is (D). Choice (A) is associated with car and driver, which is
mentioned in a different context in the conversation. Choice (B) is associated with hotel
reservations. Choice (C) is associated withflights.

Example 2

SPEAKER A: Laura, can you help me figure out how many chairs we need for the
seminar?
SPEAKER B: You should direct all your questions to John. He's the one in charge of
this event.
SPEAKER A: Sorry. I just thought since you're the office manager, you would know.

Who is responsible for organizing the event? CD®©®

(A) Laura.
(B) The director.
(C) John.
(D) The office manager.
The correct answer is (C). Choice (A) mentions Laura, but she says she is not in charge.
Choice (B) tries to confuse you with the similar-sounding word director for direct.
Choice (D) is Laura's occupation, and she has said she is not in charge.

CONVERSATIONS 63
 Look for these words in a question that asks about people:'

who
whom*
whose
job
name
*rarely used on the TOEIC test

Practice: Identifying People

e DIRECTIONS: Listen to the conversation and then choose the statement that best
answers the question.

1. Who received a promotion? 0 CD © ®

(A) Only Pat.
(B) Only Sam.
(C) Both Sam and Jim.
(D) Sam, Jim, and Pat.

2. What is Ms. Fujita's job? 0 CD © ®

(A) She's the director.
(B) She's the accountant.
(C) She's the director's assistant.
(D) She's the accountant's assistant.
3. Who is the man talking to? 0 CD © ®
(A) A waitress.
(B) A grocery store clerk.
(C) A friend.
(D) A specialist.
4. Who left the telephone message? 0 CD © ®
(A) An accountant.
(B) A painter.
(C) A telephone operator.
(D) An office manager.
5. Whose office is at the end of the hall? 0 CD © ®
(A) Cindy's boss's office.
(B) Cindy's office.
(C) John's boss's office.
(D) John's office.

64 LISTENING COMPREHENSION
6. What is the new accountant's name? ® ® © ®
(A) Bill.
(B) Bob.
(C) Mr. Wilson.
(D) Mrs. Ortega.
7. What is Frank's profession? ® ® © ®
(A) He's a lawyer.
(B) He's an economist.
(C) He's a student.
(D) He's a professor.

8. Who is in the hospital? ® ® © ®

(A) Marsha.
(B) Jim.
(C) Linda.
(D) Jim's wife.
9. Whose car is parked by the front door? ® ® © ®
(A) Martin's car.
(B) Sandy's car.
(C) The secretary's car.
(D) The director's car.
10. What is the woman's job? ® ® © ®
(A) She's a bank teller.
(B) She's a police officer.
(C) She's a bus driver.
(D) She's a mail carrier.

CONVERSATIONS 65
 On the TOEIC test, one of the three questions for a conversation may ask about a
person's intent to do something. For example:
What will she do?
What does she plan on buying?

TIP

Read the questions and the answer choices quickly before you listen to the
conversation. When you listen to the conversation, listen for answers to the
questions about intent.

Example 1

SPEAKER A: I'm going to the electronics store after lunch. Do you want to go?
SPEAKER B: Sure. Are you getting something for your computer?
SPEAKER A: No, I just need to pick up a new battery for my phone.

What does Speaker A want to purchase? CD ® © ®

(A) Food.
(B) A computer.
(C) A battery.
(D) Aphone.
The correct answer is (C). Choice (A) uses the word food, which is associated with lunch
but isn't what she's going to buy. Choice (B), computer, is mentioned in something for
your computer, but she says that's not what she will buy. Choice (D), phone, is
mentioned, but it is the battery, not the phone itself, that she will buy.

Example 2

SPEAKER A: Could you answer the phone for me this afternoon?

SPEAKER B: Of course. Are you going to be in a meeting?
SPEAKER A: No, I have to leave a little early to get to the bank before it closes.

What does she want to do? CD ® © ®

(A) Buy clothes.
(B) Go to the bank.
(C) Go to a meeting.
(D) Answer the phones.
The correct answer is (B). Choice (A) tries to confuse you with the similar-sounding
word clothes for closes. Choice (C), go to a meeting, is mentioned, but she says that she
isn't going to do that. Choice (D) is what she asks her colleague to do.

66 LISTENING COMPREHENSION
 Look for these words in a question that asks about ihtent:

plan
going to
will
probably

Practice: Identifying Intent

e DIRECTIONS: Listen to the conversation and then choose the statement that best
answers the question.

1. What do the speakers plan to do this Sunday? CD CD ® ®

(A) Watch a baseball game.
(B) See a movie.
(C) Go to a concert.
(D) Visit the capital.
2. What will the man probably do? CD CD ® ®
(A) Buy a new rug.
(B) Buy new furniture.
(C) Paint the old furniture.
(D) Get another office.
3. What is the woman going to do? CD CD ® ®
(A) Eat a pizza.
(B) Pick up her office.
(C) Put things in order.
(D) Make a delivery.
4. What will the man probably have? CD CD ® ®
(A) Some ice cream.
(B) Some hot tea.
(C) Some cold cuts.
(D) Some iced tea.

5. What form of transportation will the speakers use? CD CD ® ®

(A) Train.
(B) Walking.
(C) Bus.
(D) Cab.
6. How will the woman pay? CD CD ® ®
(A) With a money order.
(B) With a credit card.
(C) With cash.
(D) With a check.

CONVERSATIONS 67
 7. What will the worn.an probably do? CD CD © ®
(A) Turn off the air-conditioning.
(B) Open the window.
(C) Turn on the air-conditioning.
(D) Close the window.
8. What will them.an do? CD CD © ®
(A) Buy a new machine.
(B) Fix the old machine.
(C) Plug the machine in.
(D) Use his coworker's machine.
9. What does the worn.an want to do? CD CD © ®
(A) Look at the movie schedule.
(B) Borrow some paper.
(C) Read the news.
(D) Buy a newspaper.
10. What will the worn.an probably buy? CD CD © ®
(A) A sweater.
(B) A skirt.
(C) A suit.
(D) A dress.

On the TOEIC test, one of the three questions for a conversation m.ay ask about the
topic. For example:
What are they talking about?
What is the problem.?

TIP

Read the questions and the answer choices quickly before you listen to the
conversation. When you listen to the conversation, listen for answers to the
questions about the topic.

68 LISTENING COMPREHENSION