Understanding TOEIC® Question Structure

The structure of questions in English follows specific rules that differ from other languages.

In the TOEIC®, you encounter these questions in Parts 2, 3, and 4 (conversations), where understanding the structure allows you to anticipate the expected answer.

A question starting with "When" absolutely requires a time-related answer, not a location or a person.

We noticed that many candidates we coach for the TOEIC® often confuse interrogative words that sound similar (where/when, who/whose), so we decided to write an article about it.

The 2 Types of TOEIC® Questions

In the TOEIC®, recognizing the type of question from the first few words is essential because it immediately allows you to anticipate the answer from the start.

Closed Questions (Yes/No questions)

These questions require confirmation or denial. They always start with an auxiliary verb (do, does, did, is, are, was, were, have, has, will, can, could, etc.).

"Do you need the quarterly report?"
(French translation)
"Has the meeting been rescheduled?"
(French translation)

In this Test, the correct answers are never a simple "Yes" or "No." Instead, you hear indirect responses that confirm or negate the information.

Open Questions (Wh- questions)

These start with an interrogative word and ask for specific information. The structure is: Interrogative Word + Auxiliary + Subject + Main Verb.

"When does the conference start?"
(French translation)
"Who is handling the client meeting?"
(French translation)

Many candidates lose points in Part 2 because they only focus on the interrogative word without listening to the end of the question. However, the key information is often found there.

Summary Table: Interrogative Words and Expected Answer Types

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You must be careful because TOEIC® designers often play on similar sounds to create traps. One of the common traits among candidates who make the best progress is that they practice these pairs from the beginning to avoid falling into these traps.

Audio Question: "When will the shipment arrive?"
Trap: An answer mentioning a location (confusion with “Where”)
Correct Answer: "By the end of next week" (time information)

Confusion Between Direct and Indirect Questions

This confusion arises because direct and indirect questions are not constructed the same way.

Direct Questions in English

Direct questions are asked in a simple, straightforward manner, with an inversion between the auxiliary verb (or the verb 'to be') and the subject. This is the case for the majority of questions heard in TOEIC® Parts 2, 3, and 4.

Structure: Interrogative Word + Auxiliary (or be) + Subject + Main Verb

Example of a direct question:

“Where is the conference room?”
(French translation)

Indirect Questions in English

Indirect questions follow subject-verb order (like an affirmative sentence) and often appear in Parts 5-6.

Example of an indirect question:

"Do you know where the conference room is?"
(French translation)

In indirect questions, there is no subject-verb inversion after the interrogative word.

Common Traps in TOEIC® Listening:

Certain traps appear systematically in the TOEIC®, especially in Parts 2, 3, and 4, where the answers are often indirect or paraphrased.

Indirect Answers in Part 2 | Very Frequent Case

Correct answers never use the exact same words as the question.

Question:

"Should I call the supplier?"
= Should I call the supplier?

Wrong Strategy: Looking for "supplier" in the answers

Correct Answer:

"I already spoke with them this morning"
= I already spoke with them this morning → indirectly confirms that there is no need to call the supplier.

Implicit Questions in Parts 3-4

In longer conversations, some questions are paraphrased or implicit.

Audio:

"The deadline is tight. We might need extra help."
(French translation).

Written Question:

"What does the man suggest?"
(French translation)

Expected Answer:

Hiring additional staff
(French translation) → Paraphrase of "extra help"

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Mini-Training Method for the TOEIC®

Memorizing interrogative words is not enough. You need to develop reflexes:

Step 1: Listen to a Part 2 question and identify the type (closed/open/choice) before hearing the answers.
Step 2: Mentally note the expected information (time/place/person/etc.).
Step 3: Eliminate answers that give the wrong type of information or exactly repeat the words from the question.
Step 4: Choose the answer that indirectly but correctly answers the question.

With these basics, you can now anticipate the expected answer and avoid the most frequent traps, which will make a real difference in your TOEIC® score.

Ready to practice?

Now that you master English question structures, the secret to succeeding in your TOEIC® is practicing under real conditions.

The Test evaluates your ability to recognize these structures instantly, especially in Part 2 where you only have a few seconds per question.

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