TOEIC Listening Practice: Graphic Questions in Parts 3-4

One of the most unique challenge areas in today’s TOEIC listening test is graphic questions. These are found in Part 3 (Conversations) and Part 4 (Short Talks), and involve using spoken information to work with visual information like price lists, floor plans, timetables, and charts. If you want to get a maximum score in your upcoming TOEIC listening test, it is imperative to undertake specific graphic task TOEIC listening practice.

In the conventional TOEIC listening test, the test takers are exposed to fast-paced conversations and monologues where the correct answer may depend on integrating the spoken passage with the graphic. To master the high accuracy of TOEIC part 3 listening requires an understanding of how the audio and graphic interplays. The audio does not tell you what you are reading on the page, but rather names one item and the visual gives you the answer. With the appropriate business graphics, candidates can listen to these connections every day, which helps them recognize them in the actual TOEIC listening test.

Here you will learn how graphic questions are formatted in ETS’s published sample test, how to practice with 8 practice sets (24 questions total) that include HTML visual tables, learn what the exact connections are between the audio and visual and, most importantly, learn strategies to avoid three traps that come up often. All sets on this page are LUME practice material, not official TOEIC test questions. For a more general preparation, work through free TOEIC Part 3 practice questions on conversations, check out free TOEIC Part 4 practice questions on talks, consult our extensive TOEIC cheat sheet, and check out what you can expect from your initial tests with official test solutions on our TOEIC preparation portal.. To get the best score for TOEIC listening test, the best way to master TOEIC listening part 3 is to follow structured TOEIC listening practice.

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What a graphic question is?

Graphic items come with three questions about one spoken passage and one visual (ETS TOEIC Listening & Reading sample test, ets.org, checked 26 October 2026: Part 3 Questions 41-43 and Part 4 Questions 80-82). The graphic sets in a TOEIC listening test will assess the multi-modal understanding of the students, where they need to be able to hold the information in their ears and scan what they see.

For example, in the ETS sample test, candidates hear a conversation between two colleagues about ordering a laptop and an extra monitor, and look at a printed catalog list of screen sizes and prices. The three questions follow a pattern:

Question 41: Asks about a request or topic in the audio only (in the sample: “What does the woman ask the man to do?”).

Question 42: Asks about a detail in the audio only (in the sample: “What problem does the man mention?”).

Question 43: The prompt starts with “Look at the graphic.” (in the sample: “Look at the graphic. What size screen will the man order?”).

In both graphic sets in the ETS sample test, the third question asks you to use the visual, while the first two rely on the audio alone. However, entries that fixate on the picture when the questions 41, 42 are spoken tend to miss the main clues in the audio in TOEIC listening part 3. Effective TOEIC listening practice enables you to listen for the whole context while retaining the graphic in the periphery of your mind until the cross-referencing cue is called out. Balance is key in part 3 of the TOEIC listening test in real conditions.

ETS Sample Structure vs Standard Items

Question Position	Question Type in Graphic Set	Visual Dependency	Primary Skill Tested
First Item (e.g., Q41)	Topic / Request Question	Audio Only	Main idea identification in TOEIC listening part 3
Second Item (e.g., Q42)	Detail Question	Audio Only	Tracking supporting details during the TOEIC listening test
Third Item (e.g., Q43; usually the graphic question)	Look at the graphic Question	Audio + Visual Integration	Cross-referencing spoken clues with table rows/columns

The 3 question format that is consistent throughout the TOEIC listening practice builds up the mental agility to switch between listening-only and visual cross-referencing. For TOEIC listening part 3, it is important to master this sequence to avoid being overwhelmed, and to also prepare the candidates for the challenging speed of the actual TOEIC listening test.

Part 3 graphic sets: 5 conversations with a price list, booth directory, departure board, seminar schedule and sales table

Here are 5 original Part 3 conversations that LUME has created (LUME practice material, not ETS questions). Three multiple choice questions (with one explicit ‘Look at the graphic’ question), a complete transcript, the answer key, and an audio to visual link explanation are included with each set. These sets can also be used in your regular TOEIC listening practice and can significantly boost your performance in TOEIC listening part 3.

Set 1: Price List (Corporate Catering Packages)

Visual: GreenGarden Catering Packages

Package Name	Price per Person	Minimum Guests	Included Dessert
Bronze Buffet	$18.00	20	Fresh fruit platter
Silver Banquet	$24.00	25	Lemon cheesecake
Gold Deluxe	$32.00	30	Chocolate lava cake
Platinum Gala	$45.00	40	Artisanal pastries

Questions 1-3

What event are the speakers planning?

(A) An annual shareholder meeting

(B) A retirement celebration for a department director

(C) A quarterly client appreciation luncheon

(D) A product launch press conference

What constraint does the woman emphasize?

(A) The venue must be booked by tomorrow.

(B) The total food budget cannot exceed twenty-five dollars per attendee.

(C) All meals must be entirely vegetarian.

(D) The delivery must arrive before 11:00 A.M.

Look at the graphic. Which package will the speakers most likely order?

(A) Bronze Buffet

(B) Silver Banquet

(C) Gold Deluxe

(D) Platinum Gala

Transcript

Man: Brenda, have you had a chance to review the catering quotes for Director Higgins’ retirement celebration next Friday? We’re expecting about twenty-eight guests in Conference Room B.

Woman: Yes, I looked over the GreenGarden menu this morning. Their menu looks impressive, but management set a strict spending cap: our expenditure cannot exceed twenty-five dollars per person, including dessert.

Man: In that case, we should select the highest-tier option that remains within that financial limit, especially since our guest count easily satisfies their minimum requirement. I’ll place the order this afternoon.

Answers & Audio-to-Visual Explanation

• 1. (B) The man states they are organizing “Director Higgins’ retirement celebration next Friday.”
• 2. (B) The woman emphasizes that “our expenditure cannot exceed twenty-five dollars per person.”
• 3. (B) Audio names X, visual gives Y: The audio sets a cap of $25 per person and says to choose the highest-tier option within it. In the price list, Bronze ($18) and Silver ($24) are under $25, and Silver is the highest of them. The 28 guests also meet Silver’s 25-guest minimum. Gold ($32) and Platinum ($45) are over the cap. For TOEIC questions of part 3, the candidates should be familiar with the criteria such as budget limits, so they should practice TOEIC listening regularly to get familiar with that skill before appearing for the actual TOEIC listening test.

Set 2: Booth Directory (Tech Exhibition Hall)

Visual: Hall C Exhibition Booth Directory

Booth Number	Location Zone	Square Footage	Assigned Equipment
Booth 101	Main Entrance	200 sq ft	1 Video wall
Booth 102	North Corridor	150 sq ft	2 Display monitors
Booth 103	Next to Food Court	250 sq ft	4 Demonstration kiosks
Booth 104	Service Exit Corner	120 sq ft	1 Display monitor

Questions 4-6

Why is the man concerned about their current booth location?

(A) The rental fee is too high.

(B) Foot traffic is blocked by a service exit.

(C) The space is too small for their interactive product kiosks.

(D) The audiovisual equipment is malfunctioning.

What does the woman suggest doing?

(A) Requesting a booth transfer from the floor manager

(B) Canceling their attendance at the expo

(C) Leaving half of the equipment in the warehouse

(D) Sharing a booth with a competitor

Look at the graphic. Which booth does the woman recommend requesting?

(A) Booth 101

(B) Booth 102

(C) Booth 103

(D) Booth 104

Transcript

Man: Susan, we just received our booth assignment for next month’s Robotics Expo in Hall C. They placed us in Booth 104, but it only has one hundred twenty square feet! We have four interactive demonstration units coming from our Munich lab; there’s simply no way they will fit in that narrow space.

Woman: That’s definitely a problem. Let me look at the updated exhibition layout on the organizer’s portal. It shows that the vendor assigned to the space right next to the food court just withdrew yesterday. That booth is substantially larger and already wired for four kiosks. I suggest we contact the floor manager immediately and ask to switch before another exhibitor claims it.

Man: Excellent idea. I’ll send the request now.

Answers & Audio-to-Visual Explanation

• 4. (C) The man explains that Booth 104 is only 120 sq ft and cannot accommodate their “four interactive demonstration units.”
• 5. (A) The woman suggests asking the floor manager to switch booths, and the man agrees.
• 6. (C) Audio names X, visual gives Y: The audio says ‘the space right next to the food court’ which can accommodate four kiosks. The Location Zone “Next to Food Court” is Booth 103, which has a size of 250 sq ft with the capacity of 4 Demonstration kiosks. In the TOEIC listening test, students are often presented with spatial diagrams in TOEIC listening part 3, and during TOEIC listening practice, students need to be able to correlate the verbal prompts with the actual space planning configuration.

Set 3: Departure Board (Airport Commuter Express)

Visual: Express Transit Line 4 Departure Schedule

Service Code	Departure Time	Destination	Platform
EXP-12	08:15 A.M.	Financial District	Platform 1
EXP-14	08:35 A.M.	Tech Park Central	Platform 3
EXP-16	08:50 A.M.	Harbor Marina	Platform 2
EXP-18	09:10 A.M.	International Terminal	Platform 4

Questions 7-9

Where are the speakers traveling to?

(A) The municipal courthouse

(B) The Financial District

(C) The Harbor Marina

(D) Tech Park Central

What caused the delay in the speakers’ schedule?

(A) A canceled flight

(B) Heavy highway congestion

(C) A delayed client breakfast meeting

(D) A lost transit card

Look at the graphic. Which platform should the speakers proceed to?

(A) Platform 1

(B) Platform 2

(C) Platform 3

(D) Platform 4

Transcript

Woman: David, our meeting with the venture capital partners at Tech Park Central begins at 9:30. Because our client’s breakfast ran twenty minutes late, it’s already 8:25!

Man: Don’t worry. The commuter train station is right across the street. Looking at the digital board, there’s an express train running directly to Tech Park in about ten minutes.

Woman: That gives us just enough time to validate our passes. Let’s head straight down the stairs to the assigned platform so we don’t miss boarding.

Answers & Audio-to-Visual Explanation

• 7. (D) The woman explicitly mentions their upcoming meeting at “Tech Park Central.”
• 8. (C) The woman explains that “our client’s breakfast ran twenty minutes late.”
• 9. (C) Audio names X, visual gives Y: The audio states that the time is 8:25 A.M. and they need a train to “Tech Park Central” departing in “about ten minutes” (8:35 A.M.). The graphic shows the 08:35 A.M. train to Tech Park Central, and it leaves from Platform 3. In TOEIC listening part 3, students are likely to find timetable problems; and with thorough TOEIC listening training, students can easily connect the departure times in actual TOEIC listening test.

Set 4: Seminar Schedule (Professional Development Seminars)

Visual: Leadership Seminar Afternoon Workshop Schedule

Time Slot	Seminar Topic	Guest Instructor	Training Room
1:00 P.M. – 2:00 P.M.	Conflict Resolution Strategies	Dr. Elena Rostova	Room 204
2:15 P.M. – 3:15 P.M.	Cross-Functional Team Agile	Marcus Sterling	Room 310
3:30 P.M. – 4:30 P.M.	Executive Data Storytelling	Priya Sharma	Room 108
4:45 P.M. – 5:45 P.M.	Negotiation in Global Markets	Arthur Pendelton	Room 215

Questions 10-12

What does the man ask the woman about?

(A) Which sessions she plans to attend

(B) Directions to the auditorium

(C) Recommendations for lunch venues

(D) The schedule for the keynote speech

What skill does the woman want to improve?

(A) Public speaking in large auditoriums

(B) Visualizing business analytics for senior management

(C) Resolving interpersonal disagreements among staff

(D) Managing remote software engineering teams

Look at the graphic. Which room will the woman most likely visit?

(A) Room 108

(B) Room 204

(C) Room 215

(D) Room 310

Transcript

Man: Sophia, are you attending any of the professional development breakout sessions this afternoon? The schedule has four different modules listed on the board.

Woman: Yes, I definitely need to work on how I present complex analytics to our corporate executives. I always struggle to turn dense spreadsheets into compelling visual narratives. The instructor leading that topic has great industry reviews.

Man: That sounds very useful. I’m attending the agile teamwork module right before yours, so I’ll probably see you in the hallway around three o’clock.

Answers & Audio-to-Visual Explanation

• 10. (A) The man asks which breakout sessions the woman is attending and mentions the modules on the schedule.
• 11. (B) The woman says she needs to learn how to “present complex analytics to our corporate executives” and turn spreadsheets into visual narratives.
• 12. (A) Audio names X, visual gives Y: The woman says that her topic is “Executive Data Storytelling” (how to present complex analytics to executives). The graphic shows that Executive Data Storytelling is in Room 108 from 3:30 P.M. to 4:30 P.M. The key to understanding the seminar time management in TOEIC listening part 3 is to identify the main topic; frequent TOEIC listening helps to achieve high accuracy in the TOEIC listening test.

Set 5: Sales Results Table (Regional Branch Performance)

Visual: Northern Region Q3 Sales Targets vs. Actuals

Branch Office	Q3 Target ($)	Q3 Actual Sales ($)	Target Surpass Margin
Newcastle	$400,000	$420,000	+5%
Manchester	$600,000	$690,000	+15%
Leeds	$500,000	$610,000	+22%
Sheffield	$350,000	$378,000	+8%

Questions 13-15

What is the topic of the conversation?

(A) Annual employee performance bonuses

(B) Quarterly regional revenue results

(C) Opening a new distribution warehouse

(D) Upgrading sales management software

What does the regional director plan to do next month?

(A) Relocate the corporate headquarters

(B) Host an awards banquet for the top-performing branch

(C) Reduce quarterly quotas for all branches

(D) Audit the Manchester accounting department

Look at the graphic. Which branch achieved the highest target surpass margin?

(A) Newcastle

(B) Manchester

(C) Leeds

(D) Sheffield

Transcript

Woman: Greg, have you reviewed the finalized third-quarter revenue figures for our northern territory branches? The summary metrics were just uploaded to the executive portal.

Man: Yes, and overall performance was solid. While Manchester generated the largest total sales volume, another branch recorded the highest percentage above its assigned quota, which is remarkable given the competitive market there.

Woman: That’s impressive. The regional director announced that she will host a special celebratory banquet for the team with the top margin when she visits next month.

Answers & Audio-to-Visual Explanation

• 13. (B) The speakers are discussing the “finalized third-quarter revenue figures for our northern territory branches.”
• 14. (B) The woman states the regional director will “host a special celebratory banquet for the team with the top margin.”
• 15. (C) Audio names X, visual gives Y: The man says Manchester had the largest sales volume but that another branch had the highest percentage above its quota, without naming it. The Target Surpass Margin column in the graphic shows Leeds at +22%, ahead of Manchester (+15%), Sheffield (+8%) and Newcastle (+5%). TOEIC listening part 3 requires knowing how to compare the metrics, and during listening practice, practice the percentage chart to improve performance in the TOEIC listening test.

Part 4 graphic sets: 3 talks with an agenda, weather table and loading bay directory

Part 4 consists of short talks by one speaker, such as announcements, business presentations and telephone voicemails (ETS sample test, Part 4 directions: “talks given by a single speaker”). When writing a monologue in Part 4 graphic sets, one must keep track of the monologue while keeping the visual in mind. There are 3 original Part 4 sets created by LUME below. When combined with the TOEIC listening part 3 drills you will have a full preparation for all parts of the TOEIC listening test. Long listening stamina is created by practising listening to a variety of speakers in dedicated TOEIC listening practice.

Set 6: Agenda (Corporate Technology Summit)

Visual: Morning Conference Program (printed before today’s change)

Time	Presentation Title	Keynote Speaker	Room
09:00 A.M.	Cybersecurity Compliance Protocols	Vanessa Cruz	Hall B
10:15 A.M.	Artificial Intelligence in Supply Chains	Dr. Robert Chen	Auditorium A
11:30 A.M.	Cloud Infrastructure Migration	Kenji Takahashi	Room 201
01:00 P.M.	Enterprise Data Governance	Sarah Jenkins	Auditorium A

Questions 16-18

Who is the speaker addressing?

(A) Software engineering interns

(B) Conference attendees

(C) Facilities maintenance staff

(D) Board of directors

What change to the schedule is announced?

(A) The morning coffee break has been extended.

(B) Two morning presentations have changed order.

(C) A presentation has been swapped to an afternoon slot.

(D) The entire conference has been moved online.

Look at the graphic. Which room will host the 10:15 A.M. session?

(A) Auditorium A

(B) Hall B

(C) Room 201

(D) Main Foyer

Transcript

Speaker: Good morning, everyone, and welcome to the ninth annual Enterprise Technology Summit here at the convention center. Before we begin our opening remarks, I have an important logistical update regarding our morning schedule. Due to an unexpected flight delay arriving from Seattle, Ms. Vanessa Cruz was unable to reach the hall in time for her planned 9:00 A.M. slot. Consequently, Dr. Robert Chen has graciously agreed to deliver his keynote first, and Ms. Cruz will deliver her presentation on cybersecurity protocols starting promptly at 10:15 A.M. in her originally scheduled venue. Please refer to your printed badges for lunch vouchers, and we hope you enjoy today’s insightful discussions.

Answers & Audio-to-Visual Explanation

• 16. (B) The speaker welcomes “everyone to the ninth annual Enterprise Technology Summit here at the convention center.”
• 17. (B) The speaker explains that, because of a flight delay, Dr. Chen will speak first and Ms. Cruz will present at 10:15 A.M.
• 18. (B) Audio names X, visual gives Y: Ms. Vanessa Cruz’s talk will be on cybersecurity protocols, which will be “promptly at 10:15 A.M. in her originally scheduled venue.” The printed program lists Ms. Cruz’s talk on Cybersecurity Compliance Protocols in Hall B, so her new 10:15 A.M. session is in Hall B. The program’s 10:15 A.M. row (Dr. Chen, Auditorium A) is out of date, which is why choice (A) is wrong. Part 4 TOEIC listening test’s task of following agenda changes is similar to the cross-referencing task of TOEIC listening part 3, and the ability to follow multiple tasks during TOEIC listening practice is what is required here.

Set 7: Weather Table (Logistics Shipping Advisory)

Visual: Regional Marine Transport Weather Advisory

Route Zone	Forecast Condition	Wind Speed	Freight Action
Zone 1 (Inner Bay)	Light rain	15 km/h	Normal operations
Zone 2 (Coastal Channel)	Dense fog	25 km/h	Speed reduction
Zone 3 (Offshore Shoals)	Severe gale warning	65 km/h	Service suspended
Zone 4 (Southern Strait)	Moderate chop	30 km/h	Normal operations

Questions 19-21

What is the speaker’s primary purpose?

(A) To announce port closure for annual maintenance

(B) To inform cargo vessel captains about weather-related shipping adjustments

(C) To train new commercial harbor pilots

(D) To report quarterly marine shipping revenues

What are captains in the coastal channel instructed to do?

(A) Return immediately to the dry dock

(B) Anchor until emergency tugboats arrive

(C) Reduce vessel cruising speeds

(D) Divert all cargo to southern harbors

Look at the graphic. In which zone are all freight operations suspended?

(A) Zone 1

(B) Zone 2

(C) Zone 3

(D) Zone 4

Transcript

Speaker: Attention all commercial vessel operators and harbor pilots, this is the daily maritime operations dispatch for Friday, October 16. A fast-moving low-pressure system is currently sweeping across our maritime transit sectors. While vessels navigating the inner bay will experience only minor precipitation, severe gale warnings have just been issued for the offshore shoals, where wind velocities are exceeding sixty-five kilometers per hour. For safety reasons, maritime authorities have officially suspended all commercial freight transit through that sector until tomorrow morning. Furthermore, captains navigating the coastal channel must enforce strict speed reductions due to persistent dense fog. Please maintain continuous radio contact on Channel 16 for live updates.

Answers & Audio-to-Visual Explanation

• 19. (B) The speaker broadcasts a dispatch informing vessel operators about weather-related operational adjustments.
• 20. (C) The speaker states that captains in the coastal channel (Zone 2) must “enforce strict speed reductions.”
• 21. (C) Audio names X, visual gives Y: The audio specifies that authorities have suspended transit through the sector with “severe gale warnings… exceeding sixty-five kilometers per hour.” Winds 65 kmph and “Severe gale warning” are shown as “Zone 3 (Offshore Shoals)” on the graphic and Freight Action is indicated as “Service suspended.” TOEIC listening test focuses on predictive listening in Part 4 and the link between maritime vocabulary and condition tables in Part 4, while comprehensive TOEIC listening practice deepens your predictive listening in Part 4 and Part 3.

Set 8: Loading Bay Directory (Distribution Warehouse)

Visual: Westside Logistics Terminal Loading Bay Directory

Bay Identifier	Cargo Category	Operating Gate	Priority Handling
Bay A	Dry Packaged Goods	Gate 1	Standard
Bay B	Temperature-Controlled Dairy	Gate 2	Express
Bay C	Heavy Industrial Machinery	Gate 4	Standard
Bay D	Hazardous Chemical Solvents	Gate 5	High Security

Questions 22-24

Who is the intended recipient of this message?

(A) A warehouse maintenance technician

(B) A commercial freight delivery driver

(C) A corporate safety inspector

(D) A customer service representative

What should the driver do first on arrival?

(A) Weigh the empty trailer on the scale

(B) Obtain a signature from the warehouse supervisor

(C) Submit shipping manifests at the security kiosk

(D) Park outside the facility perimeter

Look at the graphic. Which gate should the driver enter?

(A) Gate 1

(B) Gate 2

(C) Gate 4

(D) Gate 5

Transcript

Speaker: Hello, Marco, this is Danielle calling from the dispatch desk at Westside Logistics Terminal. I’m leaving this message regarding your incoming trailer shipment carrying the fresh yogurt and cheese consignment from our dairy supplier. When you arrive at our facility on Highway 9, please check in at the main security booth first to hand over your signed shipping manifests. Because your shipment consists of temperature-controlled dairy items, you have been assigned express priority unloading. Security will direct your truck directly to the gate assigned specifically for refrigerated goods so our warehouse crew can transfer the cartons into cold storage immediately. Call me if you experience any highway delays.

Answers & Audio-to-Visual Explanation

• 22. (B) The caller addresses Marco, a freight driver transporting an incoming trailer shipment.
• 23. (C) The speaker tells the driver to “check in at the main security booth first to hand over your signed shipping manifests.”
• 24. (B) Audio names X, visual gives Y: The audio says the shipment is temperature-controlled dairy but never names a gate. In the directory, Temperature-Controlled Dairy is handled at Bay B, through Gate 2. High frequency items in the Warehouses are on TOEIC listening test and by focusing on TOEIC listening practice, test takers will be able to process spatial directions as easily as they can in TOEIC listening part 3.

Each item: transcript, visual, answer, and the ‘audio names X, visual gives Y’ link

To work through graphic questions in a systematic way, it helps to see how the audio and the visual fit together. In these practice sets the spoken clue and the answer usually use different words: the audio names one detail, and the graphic gives the answer. Part 4 and TOEIC listening part 3 both check whether you can combine what you hear with what you see.

Graphic questions combine two steps: first, listen for the clue the speaker names (a name, a time, a budget limit); second, find that clue in the graphic and read across to the item the question asks for.

Analysing items in this way helps you see how correct answers are built, when performing TOEIC listening practice.

The Audio-to-Visual Mapping Blueprint

The one-to-one correspondence between the spoken clue and the visual clue in all 8 practice sets contained in this guide is summarized in the table below to show how the spoken clue is directly correlated to the visual clue to provide the correct answer in Part 3 and Part 4 in the TOEIC listening section:

Set & Graphic Type	Audio Names (Clue X)	Visual Column Checked	Target Answer (Value Y)	Correct Option
Set 1: Price List	Spending cap: max $25/person; highest tier	Price per Person & Menu Tier	Silver Banquet ($24.00)	(B)
Set 2: Booth Directory	Adjacent to food court; room for 4 kiosks	Location Zone & Equipment	Booth 103 (250 sq ft)	(C)
Set 3: Departure Board	Departing for Tech Park Central in ~10 mins (8:35 A.M.)	Departure Time & Destination	Platform 3	(C)
Set 4: Seminar Schedule	Presenting complex data stories to executives	Seminar Topic & Afternoon Time	Room 108 (3:30 P.M.)	(A)
Set 5: Sales Results Table	Highest surpass margin above assigned quota	Target Surpass Margin	Leeds (+22%)	(C)
Set 6: Agenda	Rescheduled session on cybersecurity at 10:15 A.M.	Speaker & Room (original program)	Hall B	(B)
Set 7: Weather Table	Winds >65 km/h; severe gale warning; suspended	Wind Speed & Freight Action	Zone 3 (Offshore Shoals)	(C)
Set 8: Loading Bay Directory	Temperature-controlled dairy products; express	Cargo Category & Priority Level	Gate 2 (Bay B)	(B)

Why Verbatim Matching Fails

Note that in Set 1 the audio says “twenty-five dollars”, but no package costs $25; the answer is Silver at $24. In Set 3 the audio says “Tech Park Central”, but the question asks for the platform number (Platform 3). This distinction should be ingrained in the minds of candidates taking part in the TOEIC listening test.

If the word-for-word match of a number or name is also provided in an answer choice, it is often a distracter in TOEIC listening part 3. The key to mastering the TOEIC listening is to check the column of the picture, not the spoken word. Developing this cross-referencing habit can help candidates avoid common distractors and improve overall performance in the TOEIC listening test. TOEIC listening practice for TOEIC listening part 3 gets rid of the tendency to find exact matches.

Three mistakes on graphic items

Three mistakes come up often on graphic items in listening part 3 and part 4 of the TOEIC. Knowing these traps and practising with timed graphic sets can help you avoid them on test day.

Mistake 1: Answering from Audio Alone (Ignoring the Graphic)

Many students try to solve the graphic questions only on the basis of the narration in the tape while listening to the TOEIC test. Standard listening questions ask about information that is explicitly stated in the listening passage. But a graphic question will have the correct answer deliberately removed from the audio.

• The Trap: For Set 8, the speaker doesn’t say the words “Gate 2”. If you are passive listening and waiting to hear a gate number, then nothing will be audible and you should guess in your TOEIC listening test.
• The Correction: When you see “Look at the graphic” in your pre-reading window in part 3 of TOEIC listening, look for the column with the answer choices. Next, tune in to the attributes of the other column in the dialogue. If the speaker says “dairy” your eyes need to go across the row to find gate 2, since the dairy is temperature controlled. This automatic reflex is developed through regular TOEIC listening practice.

Mistake 2: Reading the Wrong Row (Misinterpreting Numerical Constraints)

In graphic items, there are several identical rows which are used to test the attention required to quantitative qualifiers like minimum, maximum, before, after, or greater than in the TOEIC listening test.

• The Trap: In Set 1, a test taker hears the woman say “twenty-five dollars” and rushes to Bronze Buffet, which is under the cap. They miss the man’s qualification: “select the highest-tier option that remains within that financial limit.” Silver ($24) is closer to the limit than Bronze ($18), so choosing Bronze loses the mark.
• The Correction: When you practise your TOEIC listening, get used to circling or writing comparative adjectives such as lowest, highest, earliest, latest and adjacent. When there are several rows that meet the condition, these words decide which row is the condition’s true row. This is an important skill to acquire in listening part 3 of the TOEIC, because it saves you from making costly mistakes.

Mistake 3: Choosing the Spoken Word (The Verbatim Distractor Trap)

On the TOEIC listening test, words that are spoken in the conversation can be used as decoys, so a spoken word does not prove an answer choice.

• The Trap: In Set 2, the man is complaining about being assigned Booth 104 (“They placed us in Booth 104”). An inattentive candidate hears the words “Booth 104”, recognizes the answer choice (D) and bubbles it right away on their TOEIC listening test. But the question asks which booth the woman recommends requesting, and that is Booth 103.
• The Correction: Don’t select an answer choice just because you hear the word in the audio. TOEIC listening part 3 is usually about the problem or the canceled entity or the rejected alternative. The solution that is obtained by cross-referencing the graphic is the correct answer. On the TOEIC listening test, these verbatim distractors are a problem that can be resolved by TOEIC listening practice.

Tactical Execution Rules for High Scores

• In the Directional Pauses: In the ETS sample test script, the pause after a regular question is 8 seconds and the pause after a “Look at the graphic” question is 12 seconds (ETS sample test, checked 26 October 2026). Practice reading the questions in the title and column headings and the questions themselves before the audio starts in this window. The first step before studying this part of the TOEIC is important for achieving success in part 3 of the listening section.
• Follow the First Two Questions in Real Time: Answer Questions 1 and 2 as the speakers discuss topics. Avoid looking at the picture when you are in the middle of a conversation until you get to the problem or the transition in the TOEIC listening part 3.
• Do the Horizontal Eye Sweep: Once you hear Clue X in the audio, sweep your eyes over that row or column to find Value Y, and bubble your answer before the next audio prompt begins for your TOEIC listening test.

Teaching these strategies in regular practice sessions with the students, applying an analytical approach to each TOEIC listening test, and understanding the complex nature of TOEIC listening part 3, can help you handle graphic items with more confidence. Targeted TOEIC listening practice can make graphic questions in Part 3 and Part 4 easier to handle.

Related practice resources

• Free TOEIC Part 1 Practice Questions (Photographs)
• Free TOEIC Part 2 Practice Questions and Answers
• TOEIC Question Bank: All 7 Parts With Answers

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