TOEFL Listening
Past Questions

24+ verified Listening past questions for TOEFL. Step-by-step worked answers in 5 Nigerian languages.

Start practicing →See pricing

Listening topics (2)

Lectures
2 questions
Conversations
0 questions

Sample Listening past questions

1. TOEFL Listening uses:

  • A. Casual chats
  • B. Academic lectures and conversations
  • C. Songs
  • D. News only

Answer: B

2. While listening, candidates may:

  • A. Not take notes
  • B. Take notes
  • C. Stop the audio
  • D. Replay sections freely

Answer: B

AI Explanation

**The reasoning** In standardized listening exams (JAMB, WAEC, NECO), the format is strict but fair. You hear the audio **once** while it plays continuously — you cannot pause, rewind, or replay. However, examiners know that listening and remembering everything is hard, so **taking notes is always allowed and encouraged**. Jotting down key points, numbers, names, or dates helps you answer questions after the audio stops. This is standard practice in all major exams. **Why the wrong options tempt you** - **A (Not take notes)** sounds like a rule, but it's the opposite — you *should* take notes! - **C (Stop the audio)** and **D (Replay sections)** sound helpful, but exam conditions don't allow this. The audio runs straight through, no second chances. Many students panic thinking they must memorize everything without writing — that's the trap. **Quick takeaway** In listening exams, your pen is your best friend: **the audio plays once, but you can write down whatever helps you remember.**

3. In a lecture, a signal like 'in conclusion' indicates a:

  • A. New topic
  • B. Summary
  • C. Question
  • D. Joke

Answer: B

4. Note-taking during a lecture helps you:

  • A. Sleep
  • B. Remember key points
  • C. Talk
  • D. Leave

Answer: B

5. A lecture's purpose is usually stated:

  • A. At the very end
  • B. Near the beginning
  • C. Never
  • D. In the title only

Answer: B

6. 'On the other hand' signals a:

  • A. Conclusion
  • B. Contrast
  • C. Example
  • D. Repetition

Answer: B

7. Good note-taking captures:

  • A. Every word
  • B. Key ideas
  • C. Nothing
  • D. Only dates

Answer: B

8. A speaker's tone tells you their:

  • A. Address
  • B. Attitude
  • C. Age
  • D. Name

Answer: B

9. In TOEFL Listening, lectures are typically how long?

  • A. 1–2 minutes
  • B. 3–5 minutes
  • C. 6–8 minutes (about 500–800 words)
  • D. 15 minutes

Answer: C

AI Explanation

TOEFL academic lectures run roughly 3–5 minutes and contain dense content like a real college class.

10. Note-taking during TOEFL Listening is:

  • A. Forbidden
  • B. Allowed and encouraged
  • C. Only for the lecture, not conversations
  • D. Done on the screen

Answer: B

AI Explanation

Test-takers receive scratch paper and are encouraged to take notes during ALL listening passages.

11. If a TOEFL Listening question asks 'Why does the professor say X?', it tests:

  • A. Vocabulary
  • B. Speaker's purpose / function of statement
  • C. Grammar
  • D. Pronunciation

Answer: B

AI Explanation

Function questions assess the purpose or attitude behind a specific spoken statement (often replayed).

12. When a speaker says 'However...', listeners should expect:

  • A. A continuation of the previous idea
  • B. A contrast or contradiction
  • C. An example
  • D. A definition

Answer: B

AI Explanation

Signal words like 'however', 'on the other hand', 'in contrast' introduce contrasting information.

13. 'Detail' questions in TOEFL Listening test:

  • A. Main idea
  • B. Specific facts mentioned in the talk
  • C. Speaker's gestures
  • D. Background music

Answer: B

AI Explanation

Detail questions ask about specific information stated in the lecture or conversation.

14. The phrase 'in a nutshell' means:

  • A. In a complicated way
  • B. In a brief summary
  • C. Inside a peanut
  • D. Very loudly

Answer: B

AI Explanation

'In a nutshell' is an idiom meaning 'briefly' or 'in summary' — frequently used by professors.

15. A 'connecting content' question requires you to:

  • A. Match elements (e.g. theories with their authors) into a chart
  • B. Pronounce words
  • C. Write essays
  • D. Translate

Answer: B

AI Explanation

Connecting-content questions test relationships shown in matching tables (theory↔author, cause↔effect).

16. If a professor's tone is 'sceptical', they sound:

  • A. Fully agreeing
  • B. Doubtful or unconvinced
  • C. Angry
  • D. Bored

Answer: B

AI Explanation

Sceptical tone = doubting. Often signalled by hedge words ('I'm not sure that...', rising intonation).

17. 'Inference' in TOEFL Listening means:

  • A. Repeating what's said
  • B. Drawing a logical conclusion from what was implied
  • C. Translating
  • D. Defining terms

Answer: B

AI Explanation

Inference questions ask you to deduce what's logically implied, not directly stated.

18. If a student says 'I'd rather not', it likely means:

  • A. Strong agreement
  • B. Polite refusal
  • C. Confusion
  • D. Anger

Answer: B

AI Explanation

'I'd rather not' is a polite way to decline or express reluctance.

19. The phrase 'on second thought' indicates:

  • A. Speaker is reconsidering or changing their view
  • B. Speaker is angry
  • C. Second meeting
  • D. Math operation

Answer: A

AI Explanation

'On second thought' signals that the speaker has reconsidered and may change their statement.

20. When a student says 'Could you go over that again?', they mean:

  • A. Repeat/explain it once more
  • B. Skip the topic
  • C. Speak louder
  • D. Sit down

Answer: A

AI Explanation

Go over again = repeat/explain again. Common phrase signalling the listener didn't fully grasp something.

21. Heard: 'That's a piece of cake.' Meaning:

  • A. A pastry
  • B. Something very easy
  • C. A difficult task
  • D. A treat

Answer: B

AI Explanation

Idiom meaning 'very easy' — common in conversational TOEFL Listening.

22. 'Office-hours' conversations in TOEFL typically discuss:

  • A. Sports
  • B. Academic issues — grades, assignments, course selection
  • C. Cooking
  • D. Travel

Answer: B

AI Explanation

Office-hours scenarios usually involve a student–professor exchange about coursework, grades, or research.

23. The phrase 'pull an all-nighter' means:

  • A. Sleep through the night
  • B. Stay up all night studying or working
  • C. Travel overnight
  • D. Cancel a meeting

Answer: B

AI Explanation

Common student idiom — staying up all night, usually to finish an assignment or study.

24. When a professor says 'Let's circle back to that', they mean:

  • A. Move on permanently
  • B. Return to the topic later
  • C. Repeat literally
  • D. Draw a circle

Answer: B

AI Explanation

'Circle back' = come back to a topic later, often after addressing more urgent matter first.

Start practicing Listening

Get AI breakdowns on every answer. Free to start.

Practice now →