TOEIC Listening Part 1: Photographs - Strategies & Tips

Understanding TOEIC Listening Part 1

Part 1 of the TOEIC Listening section tests your ability to understand descriptions of photographs. You'll see a photograph and hear four short statements about it. Your task is to select the statement that best describes what you see in the image.

Format Overview

• Number of Questions: 6
• Time: Approximately 3 minutes
• Audio: Four statements per photograph
• Question Type: Multiple choice (select best description)

Common Photo Types

TOEIC Part 1 typically features these types of photographs:

1. Single Person Photos

Photos showing one person performing an action:

• Working at a desk or computer
• Speaking on the phone
• Walking or standing
• Holding or carrying objects

2. Multiple People Photos

Images with two or more people:

• Having a meeting or discussion
• Walking together
• Working collaboratively
• Dining or socializing

3. Object/Scene Photos

Pictures without people, focusing on objects or locations:

• Office equipment and furniture
• Outdoor scenes (parks, streets, buildings)
• Transportation (cars, bicycles, boats)
• Retail or restaurant settings

Key Strategies for Success

Strategy 1: Preview the Photo

Before the audio begins, quickly scan the photograph and identify:

• People: How many? What are they doing?
• Objects: What items are visible? Where are they located?
• Setting: Indoor or outdoor? What type of location?
• Actions: What activities are happening?

Strategy 2: Listen for Key Grammatical Patterns

Pay special attention to:

• Verb Tenses: Present continuous ("is walking") vs. Present perfect ("has been placed")
• Active vs. Passive Voice: "She's opening the door" vs. "The door is being opened"
• Prepositions: "on," "in," "by," "next to" - location matters!

Strategy 3: Eliminate Wrong Answers

Common trap answers include:

• Sound-alike words: "copying" vs. "coffee" - listen carefully!
• Wrong tense: Past tense for ongoing actions
• Wrong subject: Describes the wrong person or object
• Wrong location: Items described in wrong positions
• Not visible: Describes actions or objects not in the photo

Strategy 4: Don't Overthink

Part 1 is relatively straightforward. The correct answer directly describes what you see. If a statement requires inference or interpretation, it's probably wrong.

Essential Vocabulary for Part 1

Action Verbs

• arranging, assembling, attending
• carrying, cleaning, climbing
• examining, exiting, entering
• loading, looking, leaning
• operating, organizing
• placing, pointing, pouring
• reaching, reading, removing
• serving, stacking, standing
• typing, turning
• walking, wearing, writing

Prepositions of Location

• on: on the table, on the wall
• in: in the room, in the corner
• at: at the desk, at the counter
• by/beside/next to: by the window, beside the chair
• between: between two buildings
• above/over: above the desk, over the table
• under/below: under the bridge, below the shelf
• in front of/behind: in front of the door, behind the car

Practice Routine

To master Part 1, follow this daily practice routine:

1. Practice 10-15 questions daily on 990prep to build familiarity
2. Review incorrect answers and understand why you chose wrong
3. Build vocabulary by noting unfamiliar words from questions
4. Practice with photos around you - describe what you see in English
5. Listen to descriptions multiple times to train your ear

Common Mistakes to Avoid

• Choosing too quickly: Listen to all four options before selecting
• Relying on single words: One correct word doesn't make the whole statement right
• Ignoring grammar: Wrong tense or voice means wrong answer
• Not using elimination: Cross out obviously wrong answers first
• Spending too much time: Part 1 is short - don't fall behind

Time Management Tips

• Use the directions time (before questions begin) to preview Photo 1
• Mark your answer immediately after hearing all four options
• Use any remaining time to preview the next photo
• Don't dwell on difficult questions - Part 1 moves quickly

Ready to Practice?

990prep offers hundreds of Part 1 practice questions with detailed explanations. Our platform helps you identify patterns in correct and incorrect answers, building your confidence for test day.

Start practicing Part 1 questions now →