TOEIC Part 3: Office Equipment Conversation Practice

Related guides:

• TOEIC Part 2: Wh What Questions — Response Patterns &…
• TOEIC Part 1: Factory Warehouse Photo Description Practice
• TOEIC Part 1: Gym Fitness Photo Description Practice &…
• TOEIC Part 1: Farm Agriculture Photo Description Practice
• TOEIC Part 2: Opinion Questions — Response Patterns &…

TOEIC Part 3 tests your ability to understand English in real-world work situations, including conversations about office equipment. These questions assess your listening skills through dialogues about common workplace technologies like printers, computers, and phones.

Sample Question

Prompt:

Listen to the conversation and answer the question.

Conversation:

(Woman) Excuse me, I can't get the new copier to work. It keeps jamming. (Man) Have you tried clearing the paper tray? Sometimes that helps. (Woman) Yes, I did that, but it's still not working. (Man) Let me take a look. Maybe it needs a service call.

Question:

What is the problem?

(A) The copier is making too much noise (B) The copier is repeatedly jamming (C) The copier is out of paper (D) The copier is printing too slowly

Model Answers and Scoring Breakdowns

Score Level 5 (Partial Understanding)

Answer: (B) The copier is repeatedly jamming

Scoring Breakdown:

• Topic Development (TR): 3/5 - The answer correctly identifies the issue but lacks depth.
• Cohesion and Coherence (CC): 4/5 - The response is clear but somewhat simplistic.
• Lexical Resource (LR): 3/5 - Basic vocabulary is used, but more precise terms could enhance the answer.
• Grammar (GRA): 4/5 - Sentence structure is mostly correct but could be more varied.

Answer Explanation:

The answer correctly identifies the problem as the copier jamming. However, the explanation is minimal and lacks detail. The student could improve by providing more specific information about the issue and possible solutions.

Score Level 7 (Good Understanding)

Answer: (B) The copier is repeatedly jamming

Scoring Breakdown:

• Topic Development (TR): 4/5 - The answer provides a clear and relevant explanation of the problem.
• Cohesion and Coherence (CC): 4/5 - The response is well-organized and easy to follow.
• Lexical Resource (LR): 4/5 - Appropriate vocabulary is used, demonstrating a good command of the language.
• Grammar (GRA): 4/5 - The sentence structure is varied and mostly error-free.

Answer Explanation:

The answer correctly identifies the problem and provides a detailed explanation. The student explains that the copier is jamming and mentions the attempts to fix it, showing a good understanding of the conversation.

Score Level 9 (Excellent Understanding)

Answer: (B) The copier is repeatedly jamming

Scoring Breakdown:

• Topic Development (TR): 5/5 - The answer provides a comprehensive and insightful explanation of the problem.
• Cohesion and Coherence (CC): 5/5 - The response is exceptionally well-organized and coherent.
• Lexical Resource (LR): 5/5 - The student uses a wide range of vocabulary precisely and appropriately.
• Grammar (GRA): 5/5 - The sentence structure is varied and error-free, demonstrating advanced language skills.

Answer Explanation:

The answer not only correctly identifies the problem but also provides a thorough explanation. The student details the steps taken to fix the copier and suggests further actions, showing excellent comprehension and analytical skills.

Vocabulary Highlights

1. Copier: A machine that makes copies of documents.

• Example: The copier in the office is quite old.

1. Jamming: When a machine stops working because something is stuck.

• Example: The printer is jamming again.

1. Paper tray: The part of a copier or printer where paper is placed.

• Example: Check the paper tray for any jammed sheets.

1. Service call: A request for a technician to come and fix a machine.

• Example: We need to make a service call for the broken copier.

1. Clear: To remove something that is blocking or causing a problem.

• Example: Clear the paper tray before turning on the copier.

1. Noise: Unwanted sounds.

• Example: The copier is making a lot of noise.

1. Out of paper: When a machine has no paper left.

• Example: The printer is out of paper.

1. Printing slowly: When a machine is working too slowly.

• Example: The copier is printing too slowly.

1. Take a look: To examine something closely.

• Example: Let me take a look at the copier.

1. Service call: A request for maintenance or repair.

• Example: We need to schedule a service call.

1. Technician: A person who repairs machines.

• Example: The technician will be here soon.

1. Maintenance: Regular checks and repairs to keep a machine working.

• Example: The copier needs regular maintenance.

1. Repair: To fix something that is broken.

• Example: The technician will repair the copier.

1. Broken: Not working properly.

• Example: The copier is broken.

1. Function: To work or operate properly.

• Example: The copier is not functioning correctly.

1. Malfunction: When a machine does not work properly.

• Example: The copier is malfunctioning.

1. Troubleshoot: To identify and fix problems.

• Example: The technician will troubleshoot the copier.

1. Diagnose: To identify the cause of a problem.

• Example: The technician will diagnose the issue.

1. Fix: To repair something.

• Example: The technician will fix the copier.

1. Resolve: To solve a problem.

• Example: The technician will resolve the issue.

Common Mistakes Students Make

1. Misidentifying the Problem: Students often choose the wrong answer because they mishear or misunderstand the conversation.
2. Lack of Detail: Answers that are too brief may not fully address the question, leading to lower scores.
3. Incorrect Vocabulary: Using the wrong vocabulary can confuse the listener and lead to a lower score.
4. Poor Grammar: Grammatical errors can make the answer difficult to understand.
5. Incoherent Structure: Answers that are not well-organized can be confusing and hard to follow.

Practice Tips for TOEIC Part 3

1. Listen Actively: Pay close attention to the details in the conversation.
2. Practice Regularly: Regular practice will help you get used to the format and improve your listening skills.
3. Expand Your Vocabulary: Learn and practice using new vocabulary related to office equipment.
4. Improve Your Grammar: Focus on using correct grammar to make your answers clear and easy to understand.
5. Organize Your Answers: Make sure your answers are well-structured and coherent.

Get Your Own Response Scored by AI on English AIdol

Practice makes perfect. Get your own responses scored by AI on English AIdol and improve your TOEIC skills today.