- Suzu
- TOEFL guides
- 2026 format
- Listen to an Announcement
Listening task
TOEFL Listen to an Announcement (2026): format, tips and an example
Quick answer
You hear a campus or classroom announcement of about 40–85 words. Then you answer questions about what it says and what listeners should do.
- 40–85words
- 1speaker
- ~29 minfor all of Listening
How to do it well
- Catch the topic in the first lineAnnouncements say what they're about right away.
- Note times and changesClosures, new dates and new places are common answers.
- Find the request“Please” and “make sure” often mark what to do.
Example
You hear
“Attention, Oak Hall residents. The water will be shut off tomorrow from 9 a.m. to noon while we repair a pipe. Please fill a water bottle tonight if you need one. The dining hall will stay open as usual.”
Questions
Why will the water be shut off? To repair a pipe.
What are residents asked to do? Fill a water bottle tonight.
Our own example, written to match ETS's format. It isn't an official test question.
Common mistakes
- Mixing up times. Write down any time or date you hear.
- Picking what stays the same. The dining hall is open as usual. That isn't the change.
- Losing focus after the first line. The request often comes near the end.
What ETS looks for
- Questions test main ideas, details, what listeners will do and why the speaker is talking.
- Announcements are about classes or campus life.
Source: ETS's content and structure page and Updated TOEFL iBT Test Overview.
Questions
How long is a TOEFL announcement?
About 40 to 85 words, so well under a minute.
Are the announcements academic?
They're set in classrooms or on campus, but they cover everyday news like closures and changes.
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