Welcome to Numbers, Times, Prices and Schedules
In the TOEIC Listening section, numbers are everywhere! Whether you are listening to a conversation about a business trip or a short announcement at an airport, you will hear dates, costs, and times. Many students find this difficult because numbers sound very similar in English. In this chapter, you will learn how to identify these details accurately so you don't lose easy points.
Why does this matter for your score? The TOEIC Listening test (Parts 1-4) specifically tests your ability to catch "key details." If a question asks "When is the meeting?" and you mistake 15:00 for 5:00, you will choose the wrong answer. Mastering this chapter helps you avoid the "distractors" (trick answers) that examiners love to use.
1. Mastering Number Sounds: The "-teen" vs. "-ty" Trap
One of the most common ways to lose marks in TOEIC Part 2 and Part 3 is confusing numbers like thirteen and thirty. The examiner knows these sound similar to non-native speakers.
The Secret to Scoring: Look at the word stress.
- -teen numbers (13, 14, 15) usually have a long "ee" sound and the stress is at the end: thir-TEEN.
- -ty numbers (30, 40, 50) are short and the stress is at the beginning: THIR-ty.
Example in the Exam:
Question: How many people are attending the seminar?
Weak Listening (Mistake): Hearing "thirty" and choosing "13" because the sound was fast.
Strong Listening (Correct): Noticing the sharp, short ending of "There will be forty participants" and choosing "40".
Quick Review: Sound Patterns
- 15 = fif-TEEN (High pitch at the end)
- 50 = FIF-ty (Falling pitch at the end)
- 115 = One hundred and fifteen
- 150 = One hundred and fifty
2. Telling Time and Reading Schedules
In TOEIC Parts 3 and 4, you will often hear about schedules. You must be familiar with different ways to say the same time. The test uses these variations to see if you really understand English or if you are just "word matching."
Common Time Patterns:
1. Digital vs. Traditional:
- 6:15 can be said as "six-fifteen" or "a quarter past six."
- 6:30 can be said as "six-thirty" or "half past six."
- 6:45 can be said as "six-forty-five" or "a quarter to seven."
2. Prepositions are Key:
To earn marks, you must listen for the little words before the time:
- By 5:00 PM (Meaning: at 5:00 or earlier).
- Until 5:00 PM (Meaning: the action stops at 5:00).
- Since 5:00 PM (Meaning: the action started at 5:00 and continues).
Did you know? The TOEIC often uses "noon" for 12:00 PM and "midnight" for 12:00 AM. If you hear "The flight leaves at noon," don't look for the number 12—look for "noon" or "mid-day"!
3. Prices, Discounts, and Money
Questions about prices usually appear in Part 3 (Conversations). A common "trick" is for a speaker to mention two different prices. You must listen for the final price.
Example of a "Trap":
"The original price was $100, but since you are a member, I can give it to you for $80."
Question: How much will the man pay?
- If you choose $100, you lose the mark because you didn't listen to the condition (the discount).\n
- The correct answer is $80.
Vocabulary for Money:
- Regular price / List price: The normal cost.
- Discount / Rebate / Mark down: A lower price.
- Fee / Fare / Rate: Different words for "cost" (e.g., bus fare, service fee, hourly rate).
- Grand total: The final amount after everything is added.
4. Dealing with Schedule Changes
In the Listening section, the speakers often change their minds. This is a very high-level skill that separates top-band scorers from the rest.
The "Correction" Pattern:
Speaker A: "The meeting is on Tuesday at 10:00."
Speaker B: "Actually, the room is booked then. Let's move it to Wednesday."
Speaker A: "Okay, Wednesday at 10:00 it is."
Strategy: Do not circle your answer the moment you hear the first date or time. Wait until the end of the exchange!
Weak Version: Choosing "Tuesday" because it was the first day mentioned.
Improved Version: Listening for the word "Actually" or "Wait" and choosing "Wednesday."
5. Dates and Ordinal Numbers
TOEIC uses dates frequently. Remember that in English, we often use ordinal numbers (1st, 2nd, 3rd) for dates, even if they aren't written that way.
Written: July 4
Spoken: "July fourth" or "The fourth of July."
Watch out for British vs. American dates:
- American (Usually on TOEIC): Month / Day / Year (03/12 = March 12th).
- British: Day / Month / Year (03/12 = December 3rd).
Memory Aid: Think of "First, Second, Third" like a race.
1st = First
2nd = Second
3rd = Third
Everything else usually ends in "-th" (4th, 5th, 10th, 20th).
Summary Checklist for Success
Before you take your next practice test, remember these points:
1. Focus on Stress: Listen for the long -TEEN or the short -ty.
2. Listen for "But" or "Actually": This usually signals a change in the schedule or price.
3. Know your Prepositions: "By" is a deadline; "At" is a specific point.
4. Practice "Money" Synonyms: Be ready to hear "fare," "rate," or "cost" instead of just "price."
Key Takeaway: Don't rush! The TOEIC test often provides the "wrong" number first as a trap. Stay focused until the speaker finishes their sentence to ensure you have the final, correct information.