Introduction: Why Health, Housing, and Property Matter
Welcome to this study guide! You might wonder: "Why does a business exam like the TOEIC ask about doctors or houses?" In the professional world, companies care about employee wellness (health) and office space (property). Whether it is an email about a new health insurance plan or a notice about office renovations, these topics appear frequently in both the Listening and Reading sections.
By mastering this vocabulary, you aren't just learning words; you are learning how to identify the context of a conversation or document. This helps you choose the correct answer faster, which is vital for the strict timing and pacing of the TOEIC exam.
1. Health and Wellness in a Business Context
In the TOEIC exam, "Health" usually refers to company benefits, medical appointments, or workplace safety. You will often hear these in Part 3 (Conversations) and see them in Part 7 (Reading Comprehension).
Key Vocabulary & Collocations
Health Insurance Policy: The contract between an employee and an insurance company.
Premium: The amount paid monthly for insurance.
Coverage: What the insurance actually pays for.
Sick Leave: Paid time off when you are ill.
Medical Checkup: A routine physical exam.
Show, Don't Just Tell: Improving Your English
In the exam, using "basic" English might help you understand, but recognizing "professional" English earns you marks in the Reading section (Part 5 and 6).
Weak Version: The company gives us money for the doctor.
Improved (TOEIC Level): The company provides comprehensive medical coverage for all full-time staff.
Weak Version: I am not coming to work because I am sick.
Improved (TOEIC Level): I would like to request sick leave for the remainder of the week.
Quick Review: Health Phrasal Verbs
Keep an eye out for these in the Listening section:
• Come down with: To become sick (e.g., "He came down with a cold.")
• Fill a prescription: To get medicine from a pharmacy (e.g., "I need to fill this prescription.")
Key Takeaway: Focus on words related to administration (claims, forms, policies) rather than specific medical diseases. The TOEIC is about business, not biology!
2. Housing, Property, and Office Space
This topic usually covers renting apartments (for relocated employees) or leasing office buildings. Accuracy here depends on understanding the relationship between the landlord (owner) and the tenant (renter).
Target Vocabulary for the Exam
Lease Agreement: A legal contract for renting property.
Amenities: Extra features like a gym, parking, or high-speed internet.
Utilities: Basic services like electricity, water, and heating.
Premises: The building and the land it is on.
Renovations: Improvements or repairs made to a building.
Exam Strategy: Identifying the "Setting"
In Part 1 (Photos), you might see a picture of a building. If you hear "The property is undergoing renovations," look for construction tools or scaffolding. In Part 7, you might read a "Lease Agreement." You must find specific details quickly, like the security deposit amount or the expiration date.
Example Comparison:
Weak: The office is getting fixed.
Improved: The commercial property is currently undergoing extensive renovations to improve its facilities.
Common Pitfalls to Avoid
Rent vs. Lease: While often used interchangeably, in TOEIC, a lease is usually a long-term formal contract (1-2 years), while rent can refer to the monthly payment itself.
Tenant vs. Landlord: Don't mix these up! The landlord receives the money; the tenant pays it.
Key Takeaway: Look for "money words" (deposit, rent, utilities) and "time words" (duration, term, renewal) when reading property documents.
3. Real-World Exam Application
Listening Section Tip (Parts 2 & 3)
Distractors often use "sound-alikes." For example, if the conversation is about a medical clinic, the wrong answer might use the word "clean" because it sounds similar. Always focus on the context (Who is speaking? Where are they?).
Example:
Speaker A: "Have you renewed the lease for the downtown branch?"
Speaker B: "No, we are still negotiating the terms with the landlord."
Reading Section Tip (Part 5: Sentence Completion)
To earn marks here, you must know which word "fits" grammatically and logically. This is called collocation.
Question: The tenant is responsible for paying all __________, including electricity and water.
(A) amenities
(B) utilities
(C) prescriptions
(D) premiums
Correct Answer: (B) utilities. Why? Because "electricity and water" are the definition of utilities.
4. Summary Checklist for Study
Before your exam, make sure you can answer "Yes" to these points:
• Can I distinguish between a premium (insurance) and a security deposit (housing)?
• Do I know that "on-site" means at the place of business or the property?
• Can I identify the difference between maintenance (fixing things) and renovations (making things better)?
• Am I aware that "vancancy" means an empty room or office available for rent?
Memory Aid: The "R" Rule for Property
Remember the 3 R's of Property management: Rent (payment), Repair (maintenance), and Renewal (extending the contract).
Final Encouragement
Don't worry if these terms feel "heavy" at first. They are very repetitive! Once you see the word "lease" ten times in different practice tests, you will automatically associate it with "property" and "contracts." Keep practicing, and your speed will improve!