TOEFL iBT® · Listening · 2026
TOEFL Listen to a Conversation: how the task works
Listen to a Conversation is one of the Listening task types in the 2026 TOEFL iBT® test. You hear two people talking and answer questions about what they said. 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 to a Conversation plays a short conversation between two speakers. You then answer two questions about it — so across the 10 items you will hear about five conversations.
The conversations cover everyday, non-academic situations — the ordinary business of student life: sorting out a service or appointment, shopping and travel plans, health or housing, hobbies and entertainment, or making social arrangements.
A worked example
This is our own illustration of the format (not an official test item).
You hear (a conversation between two speakers):
Maya: I'm thinking of taking the coastal train to Brighton on Saturday instead of driving.
Tom: Good idea — parking there is a nightmare on weekends. Just book the ticket early; the cheap fares sell out.
Maya: I'll do it tonight. Do you want to come along?
Tom: I can't — I'm helping my sister move house. Maybe next time.
1. Why does Maya prefer to take the train?
- A. The train is cheaper than driving.
- B. Parking in Brighton is difficult on weekends. ✓ correct
- C. She does not own a car.
- D. The coastal route is more scenic.
2. What will Tom most likely do on Saturday?
- A. Travel to Brighton with Maya.
- B. Book train tickets for both of them.
- C. Help his sister move house. ✓ correct
- D. Stay home and rest.
Question 1 checks an important detail; question 2 asks you to predict a speaker's future action from what was said. Each conversation carries two questions like these.
How many items, and how it's scored
- 10 items — two questions for each of about five conversations.
- Machine-scored multiple choice.
- CEFR A2–C1.
- Part of the 47-item, two-stage-adaptive Listening section, which takes about 29 minutes.
What the questions ask you to do
Across the conversations, the questions require you to:
- identify main ideas and context;
- understand important details;
- follow the grammar that fluent speakers actually use;
- handle a wide vocabulary, including everyday idioms and casual, conversational language;
- read between the lines for meaning that isn't said outright;
- work out why a speaker says something;
- predict what a speaker is likely to do next; and
- track how ideas link from one speaker's turn to the next.
How to prepare
- Track who wants what. In a two-person exchange, keep each speaker's goal and opinion separate as you listen.
- Listen for the turn that changes things — a "but", an offer, or a "maybe next time" often carries the answer.
- Get comfortable with idioms and colloquial English, since everyday conversations lean on them heavily.
- Predict the next step. Questions often ask what a speaker will probably do — practise inferring it from tone and detail.
- Note two things per conversation, since each one carries two questions; a key detail plus a likely action usually covers both.
- Practise under timing. A free full-length mock includes Listen to a Conversation in the 2026 format.
Practise Listen to a Conversation 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.