Loading…

TOEFL iBT · Listening · L1

TOEFL iBT Listening: Listen and Choose a Response

Listen and Choose a Response is the first Listening task on the 2026 TOEFL iBT. You hear one short spoken question or statement, which is not shown in writing, then choose the most natural reply from four written options. It tests whether you catch the speaker's meaning, intent and everyday expressions, not just the words.

Items
About 15–19 (Listening is adaptive)
Audio
One short spoken line, heard once, no transcript
Options
4 written replies; choose one
Focus
Literal and implied meaning, intent, common spoken phrases
Section
Listening, about 29 minutes and about 47 items in total

How it works

  1. 1A picture of the speaker appears and the line plays once.
  2. 2Four written replies appear on screen.
  3. 3You choose the reply that would best continue the exchange.
  4. 4The next item starts; you cannot replay the audio.

Sample question

Original sample · not from an official test

You hear (not shown on screen): "I can't believe the library's closed again this weekend."

  1. AI know. Let's try the study room in the student center.
  2. BYes, I've already returned it.
  3. CThe library has three floors.
  4. DBecause the books are due on Monday.
Show answer

Answer: I know. Let's try the study room in the student center.

The speaker is complaining, so the best reply agrees and offers an alternative. The other options mention the library or books but do not respond to the frustration, which is what the line is really about.

Tips that work

  • Listen for the function of the line: complaint, request, invitation, suggestion or question. Pick the reply that answers that function.
  • Pay attention to tone. "Great, another quiz" said flatly is not good news, and the right answer will reflect that.
  • Distrust options that simply repeat a word you heard. Echoed vocabulary is a common trap here.
  • Read all four options quickly before choosing; two can look reasonable until you compare them.

Common mistakes

  • Answering a yes/no question literally when the speaker is really making a request.
  • Spending too long on one item and losing focus for the next audio.

Questions candidates ask

Can I read the question in Listen and Choose a Response?

No. You only hear the spoken line. The four reply options are written, but the prompt itself is audio only and plays once.

How many items are in this task?

The 2026 test blueprint targets about 15–19 items. Because Listening is adaptive, the exact number can vary.

Is there a replay button?

No. Every Listening recording plays once, so it helps to practice with audio you cannot pause. EnglishHub's practice sets follow the same one-play rule.

Other TOEFL iBT Listening tasks

TOEFL iBT overviewTOEFL iBT Listening: all partsTOEFL iBT full mock testsTOEFL iBT articles on the blog