TOEFL Listening Practice Test 3 (2026 Format)
TOEFL iBT Listening in the January 2026 format, with audio: Listen and Choose a Response, conversations, announcements and academic talks, in two modules. 36 questions.
How this practice matches real TOEFL iBT use
Audio uses your browser's built-in voices. In timed mode each recording plays once and its questions appear when it ends, as in the real test. Listening is adaptive in the real test; these use fixed modules.
How to use this practice set
1. Attempt seriously
Use realistic timing, avoid random guessing, and finish the set as one focused session.
2. Review by skill gap
Separate vocabulary gaps, concentration errors, weak task strategy, and careless mistakes instead of looking only at score.
3. Repeat with purpose
After review, move to the next related TOEFL iBT section or repeat weak-question types until your accuracy becomes stable.
Listening (2026 format)
Before you start
- Questions
- 36
- Time
- 30 minutes
- Parts
- 10
- Timed mode plays the recording once, straight through all 10 parts, as in the real test. Practice mode lets you play, pause and replay each part. Turn your sound on.
- Use the numbered navigator to move between questions, and flag any you want to come back to.
- For typed answers, keep within the word limit. Answers over the limit are marked wrong, as in the real test.
- You can submit early. Your score, the correct answers and explanations appear straight away.
TOEFL Listening Practice Test 3 (2026 Format): all 36 questions with answers
Prefer to work through the test on paper? Answer the questions, then open “Show answer” to check.
M1 · Responses: transcript
Narrator:Listen and choose the best response.
Narrator:Number 1.
Woman:Could you lend me your notes from Monday's lecture?
Narrator:Number 2.
Man:How long does it take to get to the airport from here?
Narrator:Number 3.
Woman:I'm not sure whether to take Spanish or French next term.
Narrator:Number 4.
Man:Has anyone seen my blue jacket?
Narrator:Number 5.
Woman:The dining hall is serving pizza tonight.
Narrator:Number 6.
Man:Why weren't you in class this morning?
Narrator:Number 7.
Woman:Do you think it will rain this afternoon?
Narrator:Number 8.
Man:Would you like to join our study group?
You will hear a person speak. Choose the best response. The spoken lines appear in the transcript after you submit.
Q1.Choose the best response.
- A.The lecture is on Monday.
- B.I lent my car to my brother.
- C.They're very long notes.
- D.Sure, I'll email them to you tonight.
Show answer
Answer: D. Sure, I'll email them to you tonight.
The speaker said: "Could you lend me your notes from Monday's lecture?" It agrees to the request.
Q2.Choose the best response.
- A.About forty minutes by train.
- B.It's a long airport.
- C.I've been there before.
- D.The flight leaves at noon.
Show answer
Answer: A. About forty minutes by train.
The speaker said: "How long does it take to get to the airport from here?" 'How long' asks about time taken.
Q3.Choose the best response.
- A.The term starts in September.
- B.Which one fits your schedule better?
- C.I'm sure it's in French.
- D.They speak Spanish in Mexico.
Show answer
Answer: B. Which one fits your schedule better?
The speaker said: "I'm not sure whether to take Spanish or French next term." It helps her decide.
Q4.Choose the best response.
- A.Blue is my favourite colour.
- B.I've seen that film.
- C.I think you left it in the library.
- D.The jacket was expensive.
Show answer
Answer: C. I think you left it in the library.
The speaker said: "Has anyone seen my blue jacket?" It tells him where the jacket is.
Q5.Choose the best response.
- A.I served on the committee.
- B.Pizza comes from Italy.
- C.The hall is very large.
- D.Great, I'll meet you there at six.
Show answer
Answer: D. Great, I'll meet you there at six.
The speaker said: "The dining hall is serving pizza tonight." It responds to the news with a plan.
Q6.Choose the best response.
- A.My bus broke down on the way.
- B.The class is in the morning.
- C.I wasn't in the photo.
- D.Because it's Thursday.
Show answer
Answer: A. My bus broke down on the way.
The speaker said: "Why weren't you in class this morning?" It gives a reason for missing class.
Q7.Choose the best response.
- A.I think it rained yesterday.
- B.The forecast says it should stay dry.
- C.The afternoon class is cancelled.
- D.I don't have a raincoat to sell.
Show answer
Answer: B. The forecast says it should stay dry.
The speaker said: "Do you think it will rain this afternoon?" It answers the question about the weather.
Q8.Choose the best response.
- A.I joined the gym last week.
- B.Studying is hard.
- C.I'd love to. When do you meet?
- D.The group was large.
Show answer
Answer: C. I'd love to. When do you meet?
The speaker said: "Would you like to join our study group?" It accepts the invitation.
M1 · Conversation 1: transcript
Narrator:Listen to a conversation between a student and a technician at the IT help desk.
Student:Hi. I can't log in to my university email. It says my password has expired.
Technician:That happens every six months. You can reset it yourself on the IT portal, but you'll need the code we send to your phone.
Student:The problem is, I changed my phone number last month.
Technician:Then I'll update your number here. Can I see your student ID? Thanks. Done. Try the reset again now. The code should arrive in a minute.
Choose the best answer.
Q9.What is the student's problem?
- A.He lost his student ID.
- B.His phone is broken.
- C.His password has expired.
- D.He forgot his email address.
Show answer
Answer: C. His password has expired.
'It says my password has expired.'
Q10.Why couldn't the student reset his password himself?
- A.The IT portal was down.
- B.He didn't know his student number.
- C.He needed a manager's permission.
- D.The code would go to his old phone number.
Show answer
Answer: D. The code would go to his old phone number.
He changed his phone number, and the reset code is sent to the phone on record.
M1 · Conversation 2: transcript
Narrator:Listen to a conversation between two students.
Woman:Did you get tickets for the jazz concert on Saturday?
Man:No, they sold out in an hour. But the band is doing an extra afternoon show on Sunday. Tickets go on sale tomorrow at ten.
Woman:Sunday afternoon is fine for me. Can you try to get two? I'll pay you back.
Man:Sure. I'll set an alarm.
Choose the best answer.
Q11.Why didn't the man get tickets for Saturday?
- A.They were too expensive.
- B.He forgot to buy them.
- C.The concert was cancelled.
- D.They sold out very quickly.
Show answer
Answer: D. They sold out very quickly.
'they sold out in an hour'.
Q12.What will the man do tomorrow?
- A.Try to buy tickets for the Sunday show
- B.Go to the Saturday concert
- C.Ask for a refund
- D.Pay the woman back
Show answer
Answer: A. Try to buy tickets for the Sunday show
Sunday tickets 'go on sale tomorrow at ten', and he agrees to try to get two.
M1 · Announcement: transcript
Narrator:Listen to an announcement on campus.
Announcer:Attention, students. The library's annual book sale begins next Monday and runs for one week. All books cost one dollar, and paperback novels are three for two dollars. Payment is by card only. Any books not sold by Friday will be donated to local schools.
Choose the best answer.
Q13.How much does a single book cost?
- A.Two dollars
- B.One dollar
- C.Three dollars
- D.Nothing
Show answer
Answer: B. One dollar
'All books cost one dollar.'
Q14.What will happen to books that are not sold?
- A.They will be thrown away.
- B.They will go back on the library shelves.
- C.They will be donated to local schools.
- D.They will be sold online.
Show answer
Answer: C. They will be donated to local schools.
'Any books not sold by Friday will be donated to local schools.'
M1 · Academic Talk: transcript
Narrator:Listen to part of a talk in a biology class.
Professor:Some animals have found remarkable ways to sleep. Dolphins, for example, must come to the surface regularly to breathe, so they cannot fall completely unconscious the way we do. Instead, they rest one half of the brain at a time while the other half stays alert. This is called unihemispheric sleep. The eye connected to the awake half often stays open, helping the dolphin watch for predators and stay in contact with its group.
Professor:Some birds do the same thing. Ducks sleeping at the edge of a group tend to keep one eye open, facing outward, while ducks in the middle are more likely to sleep with both eyes closed. In other words, they adjust how deeply they sleep according to how exposed they are to danger.
Professor:Researchers have even recorded frigatebirds sleeping while they fly. During flights lasting several days over the ocean, these birds slept for only about forty minutes a day in total, mostly in bursts of a few seconds, and often with one half of the brain at a time.
Choose the best answer.
Q15.What is the talk mainly about?
- A.How dolphins communicate
- B.Why birds migrate
- C.How much sleep humans need
- D.Unusual ways some animals sleep
Show answer
Answer: D. Unusual ways some animals sleep
The talk describes dolphins, ducks and frigatebirds sleeping with half the brain.
Q16.Why can't dolphins sleep completely?
- A.They need to come to the surface to breathe.
- B.They must stay with their group.
- C.Their eyes cannot close.
- D.The water is too cold.
Show answer
Answer: A. They need to come to the surface to breathe.
'Dolphins ... must come to the surface regularly to breathe.'
Q17.What do ducks at the edge of a group do?
- A.Sleep with both eyes closed
- B.Keep one eye open, facing outward
- C.Stay awake all night
- D.Move to the middle
Show answer
Answer: B. Keep one eye open, facing outward
They 'keep one eye open, facing outward'.
Q18.What did researchers find about frigatebirds?
- A.They do not sleep at all.
- B.They sleep only on land.
- C.They sleep very little while flying.
- D.They sleep for hours at a time.
Show answer
Answer: C. They sleep very little while flying.
They 'slept for only about forty minutes a day in total' during flights.
M2 · Responses: transcript
Narrator:Listen and choose the best response.
Narrator:Number 19.
Man:I can't believe how expensive textbooks are this year.
Narrator:Number 20.
Woman:Which room is the chemistry exam in?
Narrator:Number 21.
Man:Would you rather walk or take the bus?
Narrator:Number 22.
Woman:You've finished the whole report already?
Narrator:Number 23.
Man:Is the professor's office hour still on Wednesday?
Narrator:Number 24.
Woman:I think I'm getting a cold.
Narrator:Number 25.
Man:Did you hear back from the internship you applied for?
Narrator:Number 26.
Woman:Can I borrow your calculator for the test?
You will hear a person speak. Choose the best response. The spoken lines appear in the transcript after you submit.
Q19.Choose the best response.
- A.Have you checked the library for copies?
- B.The book is about economics.
- C.This year is almost over.
- D.I believe you.
Show answer
Answer: A. Have you checked the library for copies?
The speaker said: "I can't believe how expensive textbooks are this year." It offers a helpful suggestion.
Q20.Choose the best response.
- A.Chemistry is difficult.
- B.It's in the main hall, not the lab.
- C.The exam lasts two hours.
- D.I'm in room twelve at home.
Show answer
Answer: B. It's in the main hall, not the lab.
The speaker said: "Which room is the chemistry exam in?" It answers 'which room'.
Q21.Choose the best response.
- A.I walked yesterday too.
- B.The bus is blue.
- C.Let's walk. It's a nice day.
- D.Rather than what?
Show answer
Answer: C. Let's walk. It's a nice day.
The speaker said: "Would you rather walk or take the bus?" It chooses between the two options.
Q22.Choose the best response.
- A.The report is about climate.
- B.Already is a useful word.
- C.The report has five pages.
- D.Yes, I worked on it all weekend.
Show answer
Answer: D. Yes, I worked on it all weekend.
The speaker said: "You've finished the whole report already?" It confirms and explains.
Q23.Choose the best response.
- A.It moved to Thursday this week.
- B.The professor teaches history.
- C.It lasts one hour.
- D.Wednesday is a busy day.
Show answer
Answer: A. It moved to Thursday this week.
The speaker said: "Is the professor's office hour still on Wednesday?" It answers whether the day has changed.
Q24.Choose the best response.
- A.It's cold outside.
- B.You should rest and drink plenty of water.
- C.I got it yesterday.
- D.The window is open.
Show answer
Answer: B. You should rest and drink plenty of water.
The speaker said: "I think I'm getting a cold." It responds with sensible advice.
Q25.Choose the best response.
- A.I applied some cream.
- B.My back hurts.
- C.Not yet, but they said they'd reply by Friday.
- D.The internship is in Boston.
Show answer
Answer: C. Not yet, but they said they'd reply by Friday.
The speaker said: "Did you hear back from the internship you applied for?" It answers whether there has been a reply.
Q26.Choose the best response.
- A.The test is tomorrow.
- B.I calculated the total.
- C.It's a scientific calculator.
- D.Sure, but I need it back after class.
Show answer
Answer: D. Sure, but I need it back after class.
The speaker said: "Can I borrow your calculator for the test?" It agrees to lend it.
M2 · Conversation 1: transcript
Narrator:Listen to a conversation between a student and a career adviser.
Adviser:So, you're interested in summer internships?
Student:Yes, in marketing. But most applications ask for a portfolio, and I don't have one.
Adviser:A portfolio doesn't have to be work for a company. You could include projects from your courses, or the social media posts you made for the drama club.
Student:Oh, I hadn't thought of that.
Adviser:And there's a portfolio workshop here next Tuesday. I'd recommend signing up.
Choose the best answer.
Q27.What is the student worried about?
- A.He doesn't have a portfolio.
- B.He missed the application deadline.
- C.He doesn't like marketing.
- D.He has no time for an internship.
Show answer
Answer: A. He doesn't have a portfolio.
'most applications ask for a portfolio, and I don't have one'.
Q28.What does the adviser recommend?
- A.Applying for a different job
- B.Attending a portfolio workshop
- C.Joining the drama club
- D.Paying for a design course
Show answer
Answer: B. Attending a portfolio workshop
'there's a portfolio workshop here next Tuesday. I'd recommend signing up.'
M2 · Conversation 2: transcript
Narrator:Listen to a conversation between two students.
Man:I'm moving out of the dorm next month, into an apartment with two friends.
Woman:Nice! Is it far from campus?
Man:About twenty minutes by bike. And it's cheaper than the dorm, even after paying for electricity.
Woman:What about furniture?
Man:It's furnished, except for the beds, so we each have to buy one.
Choose the best answer.
Q29.Why is the man moving?
- A.The apartment is closer to campus.
- B.The apartment is cheaper than the dorm.
- C.His friends asked him to.
- D.The dorm is closing.
Show answer
Answer: B. The apartment is cheaper than the dorm.
'it's cheaper than the dorm, even after paying for electricity'.
Q30.What does the man need to buy?
- A.A bicycle
- B.A desk
- C.A bed
- D.Kitchen equipment
Show answer
Answer: C. A bed
'It's furnished, except for the beds, so we each have to buy one.'
M2 · Announcement: transcript
Narrator:Listen to an announcement in a student residence.
Announcer:This is an announcement for all residents of North Hall. The fire alarm system will be tested tomorrow between ten and eleven a.m. You do not need to leave the building during the test. However, if the alarm sounds at any other time, please leave the building immediately. Also, the laundry room will reopen on Thursday after repairs.
Choose the best answer.
Q31.What should residents do during the alarm test?
- A.Leave the building immediately
- B.Go to the laundry room
- C.Stay in the building
- D.Call the fire service
Show answer
Answer: C. Stay in the building
'You do not need to leave the building during the test.'
Q32.What will happen on Thursday?
- A.The alarm will be tested again.
- B.Residents must move out.
- C.Repairs will begin.
- D.The laundry room will reopen.
Show answer
Answer: D. The laundry room will reopen.
'the laundry room will reopen on Thursday after repairs'.
M2 · Academic Talk: transcript
Narrator:Listen to part of a talk in an economics class.
Professor:In the 1950s, loading a cargo ship was slow and expensive. Goods were packed in sacks, barrels and crates of different sizes, and teams of dock workers loaded them one by one. A ship could spend a week or more in port being loaded and unloaded.
Professor:In 1956, an American trucking businessman, Malcolm McLean, sent a ship carrying fifty-eight standard metal containers from New Jersey to Texas. The idea was simple: goods were packed into containers at the factory, and the same containers could be moved between trucks, trains and ships by crane without ever being opened.
Professor:The effects were dramatic. Loading costs fell by more than ninety per cent, and ships could be turned around in hours rather than days. Theft also fell, because goods stayed sealed inside the containers. Over the following decades, standard container sizes were agreed internationally, which meant any port in the world could handle containers from any other.
Professor:Many economists argue that the container did as much to drive globalisation as trade agreements did, because it made shipping goods around the world so cheap.
Choose the best answer.
Q33.What is the talk mainly about?
- A.How the shipping container changed world trade
- B.The history of trade agreements
- C.Working conditions for dock workers
- D.The building of new ports
Show answer
Answer: A. How the shipping container changed world trade
The talk explains the container's invention and its effects on trade.
Q34.What was the problem with shipping before containers?
- A.Ships were too small.
- B.Loading was slow and expensive.
- C.There were no cranes.
- D.Goods could not be sent abroad.
Show answer
Answer: B. Loading was slow and expensive.
'loading a cargo ship was slow and expensive'.
Q35.Why did theft fall?
- A.Ports hired more guards.
- B.Ships spent longer at sea.
- C.Goods stayed sealed inside containers.
- D.Containers were made of metal.
Show answer
Answer: C. Goods stayed sealed inside containers.
'Theft also fell, because goods stayed sealed inside the containers.'
Q36.Why were international size standards important?
- A.They made containers cheaper to build.
- B.They allowed bigger ships.
- C.They reduced the number of dock workers.
- D.Any port could handle containers from any other.
Show answer
Answer: D. Any port could handle containers from any other.
'any port in the world could handle containers from any other'.