TOEFL iBT® · Listening · 2026
TOEFL Listen and Choose a Response: how the task works
Listen and Choose a Response is one of the Listening task types in the 2026 TOEFL iBT® test. You hear a short spoken prompt and pick the reply that fits best. Here's the format, an original worked example, and tips — then try it in a free full-length mock.
Listening is the second section of the test, after Reading. It has 47 items in total, is two-stage adaptive and takes about 29 minutes. Speakers use accents from three regions — North America, the United Kingdom and Australia — and every item is machine-scored multiple choice.
What the task is
Listen and Choose a Response plays a short spoken question or statement — the opening line of a brief exchange. You only hear it — there's no text on screen — and then you read four possible replies and choose the one that fits best.
The prompts come from campus life and short social exchanges — the quick, everyday back-and-forth you would have with a classmate, a tutor or a member of staff.
A worked example
This is our own illustration of the format (not an official test item).
You hear (audio only — not shown on screen):
"Excuse me — do you know if the library stays open late during exam week?"
Choose the most appropriate response:
- A. "It's just past the science building."
- B. "Yes — it's open until midnight all week." ✓ correct
- C. "I returned those books yesterday."
- D. "The exam was harder than I expected."
The spoken prompt is a yes/no question about opening hours. Only option B answers it directly and fits the situation; the others reply to a different question or ignore what was asked.
How many items, and how it's scored
- 15–19 items — the Listening section includes 15 to 19 Listen and Choose a Response questions.
- Machine-scored multiple choice.
- CEFR A1–B2 — the entry-level range of the Listening task types.
- Part of the 47-item, two-stage-adaptive Listening section, which takes about 29 minutes.
What the questions ask you to do
To choose the best response, you need to:
- grasp both what is said and what is meant;
- know everyday words and set expressions;
- handle simple grammar, such as how questions are formed;
- sense which reply fits the situation socially;
- pick up on the sounds, stress and intonation of spoken English; and
- work out the speaker's role or the situation from a few words.
How to prepare
- Listen for the type of prompt. Is it a question, a request, an offer or a complaint? The right reply depends on what was actually said.
- Remember only one reply truly answers it. The wrong options often respond to a slightly different question — a classic trap.
- Learn everyday formulaic phrases — "Would you mind…", "How about…", "I'd better…" — and the natural replies that go with them.
- Tune your ear to intonation and stress. The same words can be a genuine question or a surprised reaction; the melody tells you which.
- Because it is audio-only, note the key word (a place, a time, a name) as you listen — you cannot re-read the prompt.
- Practise with realistic audio. A free full-length mock includes Listen and Choose a Response in the 2026 format.
Practise Listen and Choose a Response free
Take a full-length practice mock built to the 2026 TOEFL iBT® format — including the Listening section — and get a predicted 1–6 band. No card required.
Avermond Test Prep is an independent preparation service. TOEFL® is a registered trademark of ETS. This product is not endorsed or approved by ETS. Task descriptions and item counts reflect ETS's published January-2026 TOEFL iBT test specifications and may be subject to minor revision before launch.