A Conversation Between University Students About Daily Problems
Listening Part 2: Listen to a Conversation
As the name suggests, you will hear a conversation between two people. The topics vary widely and may include daily life, meals, social situations, education, hobbies, services, health issues, household chores, and travel.
Although the previous TOEFL also included conversation-based questions, the new TOEFL Part 2 focuses much more heavily on everyday life. Since the older version of the TOEFL was composed almost entirely of academic contexts, you may be surprised by the types of topics you hear in this section.
How to Tackle Part 2?
Before we move on to practice questions, let’s review some effective strategies for tackling Listening Section Part 2. Perhaps the most challenging aspect of this section is the limited time you have to select your answer: you are given only 20 seconds for each question.
Within that short time frame, you must read all four options and choose the most appropriate one.
No Need to Take Notes
The conversation in Part 2 is very short. In fact, it usually lasts less than 30 seconds, often around 20 seconds. Because of its length, you generally don’t need to take notes. Instead, you should focus fully on understanding the audio.
Focus on the Problem Mentioned in the Conversation
In the new TOEFL Listening Section Part 2, some questions require you to identify the problem mentioned in the conversation. Therefore, if one of the speakers refers to a specific issue, make sure you clearly remember what it is.
Focus on What the Speaker Will Do Next
Many questions require you to infer what one of the speakers will do next. The key information often appears at the very end of the conversation. Therefore, do not lose focus until the audio finishes.
Limited Time Window for Selecting an Option
As mentioned above, you will have only 20 seconds to answer each question. This time includes reading the instructions and the answer choices, and then selecting the correct one.
Practice Questions
Answers and Transcriptions
Listening 1 (Question 1 and 2)
Transcription
Woman: Are you heading to the post office?
Man: I was, but I just found out the campus one closed early today.
Woman: Really? I thought it stayed open until five.
Man: Usually, yes. But there was a sign saying it closed at three for staff training.
Woman: That’s bad timing.
Man: Yeah. I need to send this package to my sister today so it gets there by Friday.
Woman: What about the branch near the shopping street?
Man: I can’t. My shift at the bookstore starts at four-thirty, and it’s too far away.
Woman: Then you may want to use the parcel locker at Central Station.
Man: I didn’t know you could send packages from those.
Woman: You can. My roommate uses one all the time.
Man: That could work, as long as I can pay there.
Woman: You can. The machine takes cards.
Man: Great. I’ll go there now.
Answer for Question 1
Question: What problem does the man have?
Answer: C
Key evidence from the conversation:
- Man: “I was, but I just found out the campus one closed early today.”
- Man: “Usually, yes. But there was a sign saying it closed at three for staff training.”
These lines show that the man planned to use the campus post office, but he discovered that it had closed earlier than usual. That is the main problem he is dealing with in the conversation. Therefore, the best answer is C. He can’t use the campus post office.
Answer for Question 2
Question: Why can’t the man go to the other post office?
Answer: A
Key evidence from the conversation:
- Woman: “What about the branch near the shopping street?”
- Man: “I can’t. My shift at the bookstore starts at four-thirty, and it’s too far away.”
The woman suggests using another post office, but the man explains that he cannot do that because he has to go to work soon and the other branch is too far away. Therefore, the best answer is A. It is too far from his workplace.
Listening 2 (Question 3 and 4)
Transcription
Woman: You look frustrated. Are you still getting ready for your weekend hiking trip?
Man: Not really. I lost my transit card, and the temporary one stops working tonight.
Woman: Can’t you just add another week to it online?
Man: No. The student discount only transfers in person.
Woman: Then why not go to the station office after class?
Man: I was going to, but they changed the counter hours because of track repairs. It closes at four now.
Woman: That’s earlier than usual.
Man: Yeah, and my dentist appointment ends around three-forty-five on the other side of town.
Woman: So you probably won’t make it there in time.
Man: Right. And if I don’t fix this today, I won’t have a working student pass tomorrow.
Woman: My brother replaced his lost student card through the transit app last month.
Man: I thought that app was only for checking balance.
Woman: They added video verification recently, so now you can request a digital pass right away.
Man: Perfect. I’ll do that before I leave for my appointment.
Answer for Question 3
Question: Why does the woman mention her brother?
Answer: B
Key evidence from the conversation:
- Woman: “My brother replaced his lost student card through the transit app last month.”
- Woman: “They added video verification recently, so now you can request a digital pass right away.”
The woman mentions her brother as evidence that there is another solution besides going to the station office in person. She is offering the man a practical alternative by showing that the app can now be used to replace the card. Therefore, the best answer is B. To suggest another way to replace the transit card.
Answer for Question 4
Question: What will the man probably do next?
Answer: C
Key evidence from the conversation:
- Woman: “They added video verification recently, so now you can request a digital pass right away.”
- Man: “Perfect. I’ll do that before I leave for my appointment.”
At the end of the conversation, the woman explains the new app feature, and the man immediately accepts that solution. His final line shows a clear decision. Therefore, the best answer is C. Apply for a digital pass on the app.
