PrepTOEIC
Listening · Part 1

TOEIC Part 1 (photographs): format, traps and strategy

The first Listening part: pick the sentence that best describes a photo. The shortest one — a good warm-up if you prepare for it.

The PrepTOEIC team4 min read

Overview

Section
Listening
Questions
6
Tests
Describing images

What it assesses

You see a photo and hear four short statements (A–D). You pick the one that most accurately describes the image. The statements are not written: it's all spoken.

Format and flow

6 photos, one correct statement out of four each time. The audio plays once. On PrepTOEIC, Part 1 is done "blind", just like the exam.

Common traps

  • Words that sound alike but are unrelated (distractors);
  • Statements that are generally true but wrong for THIS image;
  • Focusing on a detail and missing the main action.

Strategy

  • Scan the image before the audio: who, what, where, which action;
  • Eliminate options as you go;
  • Watch out for homophones and verb tenses.

Find out your real level in 15 min

The free placement test pinpoints your level and generates your personalized path.

Take the level test