The TOEFL 2026 Listening section features two new task types: Listen and Repeat, and Take an Interview.
These tasks assess your ability to understand spoken English and respond appropriately.
Below are practice questions that closely resemble the real TOEFL 2026 format.
Task 1: Listen and Choose a Response (TOEFL 2026)
In this task, you will hear short conversations or statements. Listen carefully and select the most appropriate response.
This task tests your ability to understand context and choose the most natural reply.
Question 1
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0:03
Woman: Didn't I just see you in the library an hour ago?
In this task, you will hear conversations between two people. Listen carefully to the conversation and answer the questions that follow.
Each conversation may have multiple questions related to the same audio.
Conversation 1
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0:28
Woman: Need anything from the supermarket? Man: Huh? Aren't we getting ready to go see that play in a few minutes? Woman: That's tomorrow. Man: Oh. Wow, I'd forget my head if it wasn't screwed on… Guess I don't need to change my clothes after all. Woman: So, you weren't planning to prepare dinner? Man: No, but I can. What do you want? Woman: Just something light and healthy. So, can you go shopping instead? Man: Yeah, sure. How about salmon and salad? Want anything else? Woman: No, that's good. Thanks!
Question 1: What does the woman imply that she was about to do?
Question 2: Why does the man say "I'd forget my head if it wasn't screwed on"?
Man: Did you see the maintenance request about the air-conditioning? Woman: Yes, I called the technician this morning. They said someone should be here shortly. Man: That's a relief. It's getting uncomfortably warm in here. Woman: I know--I called as soon as I noticed. Hopefully, it's just a minor issue and they can get it working again without too much delay. In the meantime, why don't you go out to lunch early? Maybe it'll be better when you get back.
Question 1: Why did the woman call a technician?
Question 2: What does the woman suggest the man do?
Man: I'm trying to decide whether to get a smartphone or a tablet. What do you think? Woman: It depends on what you need it for. If you want something portable and easy to use on the go, a smartphone is better. Man: That's true. But I like the larger screen on a tablet for watching videos and reading. Woman: In that case… Man: I better think about it some more.
Question 1: What is the man trying to decide between?
Question 2: What reason does the woman give for her suggestion?
Task 3: Announcements and Academic Talks (TOEFL 2026)
In this task, you will hear announcements or academic talks. Listen carefully to the content and answer the questions that follow.
Each audio may have multiple questions related to the same content.
Announcement 1
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0:26
Man: Good afternoon, everyone. I am excited to inform you that Dr. Cynthia Palmer, a renowned expert in environmental science, will be giving a guest lecture next Monday at 2 PM in Waldman Auditorium. Dr. Palmer will discuss the latest advancements in sustainable energy solutions and their impact on global climate change. Due to her popularity and the high interest in her work, I highly recommend arriving early to secure a seat.
Question 1: What is the announcement about?
Question 2: Why does the professor mention Dr. Palmer's popularity?
Podcast Host: Did you see that new thriller movie that came out last week? I did and loved it. The action, the plot twists… I was totally captivated. Time just flew by. Not a single thought occurred to me that was unrelated to the movie. What I experienced is what psychologists call hard fascination. Hard fascination means intense focus and concentration. Whether it's TV programs, video games… hard fascination is all too easy to come by in this modern world.
There's another type of fascination--soft fascination. There's still effortless attention, meaning that no special effort is required for you to stay focused, but there's still room for other thoughts. When I take a walk in the park and look at the flowers and trees, for example, I might be thinking in the back of my mind about my dinner plans.
Now, one thing to know is hard fascination causes mental fatigue. The mind is so intensely focused that it gets tired fast. What follows mental fatigue? You might find yourself easily distracted, irritable, and stressed. Soft fascination, in contrast, engages a different part of the brain--the DMN, or Default Mode Network, which soothes the mind and helps combat mental fatigue. So next time you feel like your mind is on overload, turn off the TV, put down your phone. Take a walk, or simply sit and stare at the clouds.
Question 1: What is the topic of the talk?
Question 2: Why does the speaker mention a movie?
Question 3: What does the speaker say about her walk in the park?
Question 4: What does the speaker say about Default Mode Network?
Man: Attention everyone! The student lounge will be closed tomorrow from one P.M. to three P.M. for maintenance. We will be repairing a broken pipe in the ceiling. We apologize for any inconvenience this may cause. Please plan accordingly and consider using the library or the campus café during this time.
Question 1: What is the main purpose of the announcement?
Question 2: What should students do during the closure?
Professor: An ecological footprint is a measure of the environmental impact of an individual, community, or country. It calculates the amount of natural resources consumed and the waste generated by human activities, usually expressed in global hectares. By comparing ecological footprints, we can understand how different lifestyles and practices contribute to resource depletion and environmental degradation. For instance, the ecological footprint of someone living in a developed country is typically larger than that of someone living in a developing country, mainly due to higher consumption levels and waste production. Factors such as energy use, transportation, food consumption, and housing play significant roles in determining the size of an ecological footprint. Understanding ecological footprints is crucial for promoting sustainability. It helps identify areas where changes can be made to reduce environmental impact. For example, if you consume locally produced foods, you'll likely reduce your ecological footprint because less energy will be used for transporting that food. Governments and organizations can use ecological footprint data to develop policies aimed at achieving sustainable development. I'll discuss some examples of that next.
Question 1: What is the main topic of the talk?
Question 2: Why does the speaker mention developed and developing countries?
Question 3: What does the speaker mention as a way that people can reduce their ecological footprint?
Question 4: What will the speaker most likely discuss next?
