TOEIC · Listening
34 TOEIC listening killer sentences, replayed with the browser voice. Pick what each one means exactly from three options. The two distractors are real listening traps (paraphrase, opposite meaning, number/time, homophone), and the explanation unpacks both the answer and the traps.
Lv.11 / 8
What does this sentence mean exactly?
Script
The meeting starts at three thirty, not three.
Meaning
The meeting begins at 3:30, not at 3:00.
Chunk by chunk
The meeting starts
The meeting begins
Hearing "starts" as "ends" is the opposite trap.
at three thirty,
at 3:30,
not three.
not at three.
Missing "not three" gives 3:00, the number/time trap.
What does this sentence mean exactly?
Script
They're going to sell their car next week.
Meaning
They will sell their own car next week.
Chunk by chunk
They're going to sell
They are going to sell
"They're/their/there" are homophones; "sell" vs "buy" is also a trap.
their car
their own car
next week.
next week.
What does this sentence mean exactly?
Script
I'd like to buy this one, not rent it.
Meaning
I want to buy this, not rent it.
Chunk by chunk
I'd like to buy this one,
I want to buy this,
Beware confusing "buy" / "rent" / "sell".
not rent it.
not rent it.
Missing "not rent" gives "rent it", the opposite trap.
What does this sentence mean exactly?
Script
The store isn't open on Sundays.
Meaning
The store is closed on Sundays.
Chunk by chunk
The store isn't open
The store is not open
Missing the contraction "isn't" is the opposite trap.
on Sundays.
on Sundays.
Beware confusing "Sundays" and "Saturdays".
What does this sentence mean exactly?
Script
I need two tickets, not ten.
Meaning
I need two tickets, not ten.
Chunk by chunk
I need two tickets,
I need two tickets,
Beware confusing "two" and "ten".
not ten.
not ten.
What does this sentence mean exactly?
Script
Could you turn off the light, please?
Meaning
Please switch the light off.
Chunk by chunk
Could you turn off
Could you switch off
"turn off" vs "turn on": the direction trap.
the light, please?
the light, please?
What does this sentence mean exactly?
Script
The report is due tomorrow, not today.
Meaning
The report is due tomorrow, not today.
Chunk by chunk
The report is due tomorrow,
The report is due tomorrow,
Beware confusing "tomorrow" and "today".
not today.
not today.
What does this sentence mean exactly?
Script
I'll have two coffees, and a sandwich too.
Meaning
I will order two coffees and also a sandwich.
Chunk by chunk
I'll have two coffees,
I will have two coffees,
"two/too/to" homophones; number vs adverb is decided by context.
and a sandwich too.
and a sandwich as well.
What does this sentence mean exactly?
Script
The flight has been delayed by an hour.
Meaning
The flight will leave an hour later than scheduled.
Chunk by chunk
The flight has been delayed
The flight has been delayed
Hearing "delayed" as "on time" is the opposite trap.
by an hour.
by an hour.
Hearing "an hour" as "a day" is the number/time trap.
What does this sentence mean exactly?
Script
I've already sent the email to the client.
Meaning
I have already sent the email to the client.
Chunk by chunk
I've already sent the email
I have already sent the email
"already" signals completion; missing it gives "not yet", the opposite trap.
to the client.
to the client.
What does this sentence mean exactly?
Script
Please put the box on the shelf, not under it.
Meaning
Put the box on top of the shelf, not under it.
Chunk by chunk
Please put the box on the shelf,
Put the box on the shelf,
"on" vs "under": the preposition-direction trap.
not under it.
not under it.
What does this sentence mean exactly?
Script
He couldn't make it to the meeting yesterday.
Meaning
He was unable to attend the meeting yesterday.
Chunk by chunk
He couldn't make it
He could not attend
Contracted negative "couldn't" + idiom "make it" (attend/arrive).
to the meeting yesterday.
to the meeting yesterday.
What does this sentence mean exactly?
Script
Why don't we meet after lunch instead of before?
Meaning
Let us meet after lunch, not before.
Chunk by chunk
Why don't we meet after lunch
Why not meet after lunch
"Why don't we" = suggestion; "after" vs "before" is the time trap.
instead of before?
instead of before?
What does this sentence mean exactly?
Script
Please submit the form by Friday at the latest.
Meaning
Submit the form no later than Friday.
Chunk by chunk
Please submit the form
Please submit the form
by Friday at the latest.
by Friday at the latest.
"by ... at the latest" = deadline; "may submit after" is the opposite trap.
What does this sentence mean exactly?
Script
Due to maintenance, the elevator will be out of service until noon.
Meaning
Because of maintenance, the elevator cannot be used until noon.
Chunk by chunk
Due to maintenance,
Because of maintenance,
the elevator will be out of service
the elevator cannot be used
Hearing "out of service" as "can be used" is the opposite trap.
until noon.
until noon.
Hearing "until noon" as "all day" is the number/time trap.
What does this sentence mean exactly?
Script
Although sales rose, profits actually fell last quarter.
Meaning
Sales went up, but profits actually went down last quarter.
Chunk by chunk
Although sales rose,
Although sales went up,
"Although" signals a contrast to come; stopping here is the trap.
profits actually fell
profits actually went down
Hearing "fell" as "rose" is the opposite trap.
last quarter.
last quarter.
What does this sentence mean exactly?
Script
The package will be delivered to your office, not picked up.
Meaning
The package will be delivered to your office; you do not pick it up.
Chunk by chunk
The package will be delivered to your office,
The package will be delivered to your office,
Passive "be delivered", not an action you do.
not picked up.
not picked up.
Missing "not picked up" gives "pick it up yourself", the opposite trap.
What does this sentence mean exactly?
Script
The course covers not only grammar but also pronunciation.
Meaning
The course covers both grammar and pronunciation.
Chunk by chunk
The course covers not only grammar
The course covers not only grammar
"not only" signals a "but also"; stopping at "only" is the trap.
but also pronunciation.
but also pronunciation.
What does this sentence mean exactly?
Script
The manager called off the event because of the storm.
Meaning
The manager canceled the event because of the storm.
Chunk by chunk
The manager called off the event
The manager canceled the event
"call off" (cancel) vs "call for" (summon) vs "held": the confusion trap.
because of the storm.
because of the storm.
What does this sentence mean exactly?
Script
Contrary to what we expected, the new system slowed things down.
Meaning
Against our expectations, the new system made things slower.
Chunk by chunk
Contrary to what we expected,
Against our expectations,
"Contrary to" signals a result opposite to expectations; "as expected" is the trap.
the new system slowed things down.
the new system made things slower.
Hearing "slowed down" as "faster" is the opposite trap.
What does this sentence mean exactly?
Script
I'd rather we pushed the meeting to Thursday, if that works for everyone.
Meaning
I would prefer to move the meeting to Thursday, if everyone is okay with it.
Chunk by chunk
I'd rather we pushed the meeting
I would prefer to move the meeting
"I would rather" is a soft preference and proposal, not a command.
to Thursday,
to Thursday,
Hearing "to Thursday" (later) as "earlier" is the opposite trap.
if that works for everyone.
if that works for everyone.
What does this sentence mean exactly?
Script
The new supplier isn't as cheap as we first thought.
Meaning
The new supplier is not as inexpensive as we initially believed.
Chunk by chunk
The new supplier
The new supplier
isn't as cheap as we first thought.
is not as cheap as we first thought.
"isn't as ... as" is a negated comparative (less than expected); missing the negation is the opposite trap.
What does this sentence mean exactly?
Script
We should have confirmed the booking before we left.
Meaning
We ought to have confirmed the booking before leaving, but we did not.
Chunk by chunk
We should have confirmed the booking
We ought to have confirmed the booking
"should have + p.p." = regret for something not done; hearing "did confirm" is the opposite trap.
before we left.
before we left.
What does this sentence mean exactly?
Script
We can hire two more people, as long as the budget allows.
Meaning
We can hire two more people, provided the budget permits.
Chunk by chunk
We can hire two more people,
We can hire two more people,
as long as the budget allows.
as long as the budget allows.
"as long as" sets a condition; dropping it gives the "no matter what" paraphrase trap.
What does this sentence mean exactly?
Script
Unless you reply by Friday, your seat won't be held.
Meaning
If you do not reply by Friday, your seat will not be kept.
Chunk by chunk
Unless you reply by Friday,
Unless you reply by Friday,
"Unless" = a negative condition (if not); hearing "Monday" is the time trap.
your seat won't be held.
your seat will not be held.
Hearing "won't be held" as "will be held" is the opposite trap.
What does this sentence mean exactly?
Script
If she hadn't reminded me, I would have missed the deadline.
Meaning
Thanks to her reminder, I did not miss the deadline.
Chunk by chunk
If she hadn't reminded me,
If she had not reminded me,
The third conditional implies she actually did remind.
I would have missed the deadline.
I would have missed the deadline.
"would have missed" is counterfactual (he did not miss); "did miss" is the opposite trap.
What does this sentence mean exactly?
Script
The shipment will arrive either this Friday or early next week.
Meaning
The shipment arrives either this Friday or early next week.
Chunk by chunk
The shipment will arrive
The shipment will arrive
either this Friday or early next week.
either this Friday or early next week.
"either A or B" gives two times; fixing on one is the number/time trap.
What does this sentence mean exactly?
Script
We could have accepted the offer, except the terms were unclear.
Meaning
We might have accepted the offer, but the terms were unclear, so we did not.
Chunk by chunk
We could have accepted the offer,
We could have accepted the offer,
"could have + p.p." implies it was possible but did not happen.
except the terms were unclear.
except the terms were unclear.
Hearing "except" as "accept" is the near-homophone trap.
What does this sentence mean exactly?
Script
All attendees are kindly asked to pick up their badges at the registration desk before nine.
Meaning
All attendees should collect their badges at the registration desk before nine.
Chunk by chunk
All attendees are kindly asked to pick up their badges
All attendees should collect their badges
Hearing "pick up" as "return" is the paraphrase trap.
at the registration desk before nine.
at the registration desk before nine.
Hearing "before nine" as "after nine" is the time trap.
What does this sentence mean exactly?
Script
Due to adverse weather, the ten o'clock flight to Chicago has been delayed by approximately two hours.
Meaning
Because of bad weather, the 10:00 flight to Chicago is delayed by about two hours.
Chunk by chunk
Due to adverse weather,
Because of bad weather,
the ten o'clock flight to Chicago
the 10:00 flight to Chicago
has been delayed by approximately two hours.
has been delayed by about two hours.
Hearing "delayed" as "on time" or "early" is the opposite or time trap.
What does this sentence mean exactly?
Script
The guided tour concludes in the gift shop, where visitors may purchase souvenirs at a discount.
Meaning
The guided tour ends in the gift shop, where visitors can buy souvenirs at a discount.
Chunk by chunk
The guided tour concludes in the gift shop,
The guided tour ends in the gift shop,
Hearing "concludes" as "begins" is the paraphrase trap.
where visitors may purchase souvenirs at a discount.
where visitors may buy souvenirs at a discount.
Hearing "at a discount" as "full price" is the opposite trap.
What does this sentence mean exactly?
Script
This quarter's sales figures have considerably exceeded our initial projections.
Meaning
This quarter's sales numbers came in well above our original forecasts.
Chunk by chunk
This quarter's sales figures
This quarter's sales figures
have considerably exceeded our initial projections.
have far surpassed our initial forecasts.
Hearing "exceeded" as "fell short" is the opposite trap.
What does this sentence mean exactly?
Script
Rather than cancel the workshop outright, the organizers opted to postpone it until further notice.
Meaning
Instead of canceling the workshop completely, the organizers chose to postpone it indefinitely.
Chunk by chunk
Rather than cancel the workshop outright,
Rather than cancel the workshop outright,
"Rather than cancel" rejects the cancel option; hearing "was canceled" is the opposite trap.
the organizers opted to postpone it until further notice.
the organizers chose to postpone it until further notice.
Hearing "postpone" as "as scheduled" is the paraphrase trap.
What does this sentence mean exactly?
Script
Employees will be reimbursed for travel expenses only if they submit their receipts within thirty days.
Meaning
Employees get their travel costs back only when they hand in receipts within thirty days.
Chunk by chunk
Employees will be reimbursed for travel expenses
Employees will be reimbursed for travel expenses
only if they submit their receipts within thirty days.
only if they submit receipts within thirty days.
"only if" sets a strict condition; dropping it is a paraphrase trap, and "thirty" vs "thirteen" is the number trap.