Part 3
Part 3
Part 3
PART 3: CONVERSATIONS
Directions: You will hear conversations between two or more people spoken only one time.
The conversations will not be printed in your text book. You will see three questions on each
conversation and four possible answers. Choose the best answer to each question and fill in the
corresponding oval on your answer sheet.
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 a reason
• identifying a location
• identifying an opinion
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.
LANGUAGE STRATEGIES
In this chapter, y o u will learn how certain words will help you identify the purpose of
a question. These are the purposes you will learn about:
• identifying tim e
• identifying people
• identifying intent
• identifying a location
• identifying an opinion
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 answ er choices are designed to trick you. They
are written to seem like the correct answer. You must learn to recognize the w ay the
answer choices m ay 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.
• Some choices have incorrect details.
CONVERSATIONS 5
Look at these examples:
Example 1
Spea k er A: The prices at this restaurant are low, but the food's always cold.
Spea k er B: I know, and the people who work here aren't very friendly.
Spea k er 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 answ er)
(C) The food is old. (sounds like correct answer)
(D) The service is slow. (sounds like correct answer)
Example 2
Some questions include a graphic that is related to the conversation. You will
have to use information from both the conversation and the graphic to answ er
the question.
Example 3
Spea k er A: Did you sign up for any classes at the Business Institute this
semester?
Spea k er B: Yes. I'm taking Accounting.
Spea k er A: I took that class last year. It was very good.
when
how often
how soon
how long ago
what time
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
S peaker A : Tomorrow's Tuesday. That's when Jeff's coming, right?
S peaker B: No, he won't be here until Wednesday afternoon.
S peaker C: Good. S o he can still go to the reception that evening.
When is Jeff coming to visit? CjD (2 ) (JL)
(A) Today
(B) Tomorrow
(C) Tuesday
(D) Wednesday
The correct answer is (D) - Speaker B says the Jeff will be here on Wednesday. Choice
(A) confuses similar-sounding words today and Tuesday. Choices (B) and (C) are when
Speaker A thinks Jeff is coming, but Speaker B corrects this.
Practice: Identifying Time
d ir e c tio n s : Listen to the conversation and then choose the statement that best answers
the question.
2. How long ago did the speakers visit Paris? ® CjD C£) CD
(A) A month ago
(B) Two months ago
(C) A year ago
(D) Eight years ago
6. How long ago did the man buy the cell phone?
(A) A week ago
(B) Three weeks ago
(C) A year ago
(D) Five years ago
IDENTIFYING PEOPLE
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?
Look for these words in a question that asks about people:
who
whom*
whose
job
name
*rarely used on the TOEIC test
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
Driver Schedule
Monday Joe
Tuesday Abdul
Wednesday Lee
Thursday Pierre
Look at the graphic. Who will pick up Ms. Cho? (A ) (JL ) <3D (5 )
(A) Joe
(B) Abdul
(C) Lee
(D) Pierre
L o o k for th e se w o r d s in a q u e s tio n t n a t asics a o o u t p e o p le :
who
whom*
whose
job
name
‘ rarely used on the TOEIC test
TIP
Read the questions and the answer choices quickly b efore you listen to the
conversation. When you listen to the conversation, listen for answers to the
questions about people.
Example 1
S peaker A: Ms. Cho is arriving by plane on Monday morning.
S pea k er B: Someone should pick her up at the airport. Who's available for that?
S pea k er A: Check the driver schedule. There should be someone on duty then.
S pea ker B: Right. I see who it is. I'll let him know Ms. Cho's arrival time.
Driver Schedule
Monday Joe
Tuesday Abdul
Wednesday Lee
Thursday Pierre
60 LISTENING COMPREHENSION
Example 2
S peaker A: Laura, can you help me figure out how many chairs we need for the
seminar?
S peaker B: Y ou should direct all your questions to John. He's the one in charge of this
event.
S peaker A: S o rry . I ju st th o u g h t s in c e y o u 're the o ffice m an ag er, you w o u ld kn ow .
0 d ir e c tio n s : Listen to the conversation and then choose the statement that best answers
the question.
Building Directory
@ d ir e c tio n s : Listen to the conversation and then choose the statement that best answers
the question.
Building Directory
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?
Look for these words in a question that asks about intent:
plan
going to
will
probably
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
S pea k er A: I have to run down to the office supply store after lunch. Does anyone
want to go with me?
S pea k er B: S o rry , I c a n 't . I h a v e to sta y h e r e to an sw er th e p h o n e .
S pea k er C: I'll go. I w a n t to se e w hat k in d o f p rin ters th e y h a v e in stock.
S pea k er A: Great. It'll be n ic e to have your company. I just need to get pick up some
envelopes.
Example 2
Practice: Identifying Intent
Model A $300
Model B $500
Model C $750
Model D $1000
54 LISTENING COMPREHENSION
What form of transportation will the speakers use?
(A) Train
(B) Walking
(C) Bus
(D) Cab
On the TOEIC test, one of the three questions for a conversation may ask about the topic.
For example:
What are they talking about?
What is the problem?
Look for these words in a question that asks about the topic:
talking about
discussing
about
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.
Example 1
Example 2
S pea ker A: Give me vour number and I'll call von latpr
Practice: Identifying the Topic
d ir e c tio n s : Listen to the conversation and then choose the statement that best answers
the question.
On the TOEIC test, one of the three questions for a conversation may ask about a reason
for doing something. For example:
Why is he going?
Why is she speaking softly?
Look for these words in a question that asks about a reason:
why
purpose
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 reason.
Example 1
S peaker A: Maria, I hear you're moving away. Did you get a new job?
S peaker B: No, I'm going back to school. I'm going to get a degree in economics.
S peaker A: Oh, yes. I hear the university in that city is very good.
Example 2
S peaker A: Two sweaters come to $120. Would you like them gift wrapped?
S peaker B: N o thanks. But I'd like to use this coupon for the ten percent discount.
S peaker A: Sorry. You can't use this. See? Today's the 26th.
S peaker B: Oh, I hadn't noticed. Well, here's my credit card.
WoxAmxwvy D epartm ent
Stare/
COUPON
10% off any item in clothing department
Look at the graphic. Why can't Speaker B use the coupon? (A) QD CID OD
(A) It has expired.
(B) It is for a different item.
(C) It is from a different store.
(D) It is not for credit card purchases.
The correct answer is (A). Choice (B) is incorrect because the coupon is for clothing and
Speaker B is purchasing clothing (sweaters). Choice (C) is not mentioned by the speaker;
Choice (D) repeats credit card, but that is not the reason given for rejecting the coupon.
0 d ir e c tio n s : Listen to the conversation and then choose the statement that best answers
the question.
Admission: $25
6. What is the purpose of the man's phone call? (A) CjD (3D (JD
(A) To wish Wanda a happy birthday
(B) To find out if Wanda is busy
(C) To invite Wanda to dinner
(D) To ask Wanda for some help
IDENTIFYING A LOCATION
On the TOEIC test, one of the three questions for a conversation may ask about the
location. For example:
Where are the speakers?
Where is the hotel?
Look for this word in a question that asks about location:
where
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 location.
Example 1
Example 2
-J-i
Shopping M all
Store A Store B
|Store C
Shoe Store I
Store D Movie
Theater
^ d ir e c tio n s : Listen to the conversation and then choose the statement that best answers
the question.
Arrivals
Blue Line Track 10
Yellow Line Track 15
Red Line Track 20
Green Line Track 25
^ d ir e c tio n s : Listen to the conversation and then choose the statement that best answers
the question.
Arrivals
Blue Line Track 10
Yellow Line Track 15
Red Line Track 20
Green Line Track 25
72 LISTENING COMPREHENSION
Where does the conversation take place?
(A) In a hotel
(B) At an airport
(C) In a parking garage
(D) At a store
On the TOEIC test, one of the three questions for a conversation may ask about a
speaker's opinion. For example:
Wha: is her opinion about cooking?
What does the speaker think about soccer?
Look for these words in a question that asks about an opinion:
think of
opinion
say about
believe
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 an opinion.
Example 1
A:
S pea k er I think I'll like working with the new manager. He's very efficient.
S peaker B: I agree with you Max. He really knows how to get things done.
S peaker C: He's also really friendly, so much nicer to work with than our former boss.
S peaker A: True, but I'm most impressed by his experience and his ability to organize
our work. Efficiency is really important, I think.
W hat is Max's opinion of the manager? (T) (IT) (7 ) (W)
(A) He's agreeable.
(E) He's friendly.
(C) He's efficient.
(D) He's inexperienced.
The correct answer is (C). Choice (A) tries to confuse you by using agreeable, related
to but different in meaning from agree. Choice (B) is the opinion of Max's friend. Choice
(D) sounds similar to what Max said but actually has the opposite meaning.
Example 2
a A . T ' ~ -------- 1 ^1- 1 1
Practice: Identifying an Opinion
d ir e c tio n s : Listen to the conversation and then choose the statement that best aaswers
the question.
On the TOEIC test, one of the three questions for a conversation may ask about the
meaning of a word or phrase in the context of the conversation. Words and phrases may
have different meanings depending on how they are used. For example:
I got the pens and notebooks you asked for.
She spoke quickly, but I goi what she meant.
In the first example, got means bought or obtained. In the second example, got means
understood.
Look for these phrases in a question that asks about meaning in context:
What does the woman mean when she says . . . ?
What does the man imply when he says . . . ?
Why does the woman say . . . ?
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 meaning in context.
Example 1
S peaker A: I'm running down to the supply store because we're completely out of
paper for the printer. Do we need anything else? Envelopes?
S peaker B: There are five boxes in the supply closet.
S pea ker A: Oh, OK. I'll just get the paper, then.
0 d ir e c tio n s : Listen to the conversation and then choose the statement that best answers
the question.
1. What does the woman mean when she says, "You did”?
(A) She is surprised the man bought the coat.
(B) She wants to know what the man bought.
(C) She is happy the man bought the coat.
(D) She agrees the man got a good price. ,
2. What does the man mean when he says, "How's the conference room?"
(A) He wonders if there are. enough chairs in the conference room.
(B) He thinks the conference room is a good place for the meeting.
(C) He is concerned about the condition of the conference room.
(D) He wants to know the exact size of the conference room.
4. Why does the man say, "The subway runs until midnight"?
(A) To ask for a favor
(B) To explain a reason
(C) To make a suggestion
(D) To give instructions
conversations 77
5. Why does the woman say, "Would you"?
(A) To ask for advice
(B) To accept an offer
(C) To make an invitation
(D) To request an explanation
6. What does the woman mean when she says, "I have it"?
(A) She has already made the photocopies.
(B) She has money to pay for the photocopies.
(C) She has figured out a solution to the problem.
(D) She knows why the photocopier has broken down.
GRAM M AR T IP
V O C A B U L A R Y T IP
Two-word Verbs with Back
Two-word verbs with back are quite common in conversation. They usually mean return.
Verb Meaning
be back return to a place
call back return a phone call
pay back return money
fly back return to a place by plane
0 Listen to the conversations. You will answer three questions about each
d ir e c tio n s :
conversation. Choose the best answer to each question. Listen again and see if you can
recognize how a choice tries to confuse you.
Office Directory
Department Director
Accounting Alma Gordon
Marketing Lee Chang
Production Mary Kim
Design Joe Griffin
3. Look at the graphic. Who will help with the job interviews? CD CD CD CD
(A) Alma Gordon
(B) Lee Chang
(C) Mary Kim
(D) Joe Griffin
11. How does the woman feel about her new job? ® ® © ®
(A) She likes it.
(B) She's bored.
(C) She feels terrible.
(D) She's uncomfortable.