Comprehensive TOEIC Part 1 vocabulary by topic

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Although Part 1 of the TOEIC Listening test is often considered the easiest section, it should not be overlooked. To maximize your score, it is essential to not only apply effective strategies but also build a strong vocabulary foundation. A thorough understanding of key TOEIC Part 1 vocabulary commonly used in this section will help you confidently select the correct answers and secure a high score.

Comprehensive TOEIC Part 1 vocabulary by topic

I. Overview of TOEIC Part 1 structure
II. Essential TOEIC Part 1 vocabulary by topic

I. Overview of TOEIC Part 1 structure

Part 1 of the TOEIC Listening test consists of a picture-based description task. According to the latest TOEIC format update in 2019, this section includes six images, each accompanied by a corresponding question. For each question, test-takers will hear four possible descriptions of the given image, but these options are not printed in the test booklet. The descriptions are read aloud only once, and candidates must select the most accurate one.

A distinctive feature of Part 1 is its frequent use of the present continuous tense to describe ongoing actions in the pictures. Additionally, this is the only section in the TOEIC test where candidates receive a sample question with an answer before beginning. The instructions and sample question take approximately 1 minute and 25 seconds, and there is a 5-second pause between each question to allow for response selection.

II. Essential TOEIC Part 1 vocabulary by topic

To perform well in this section, it is crucial to familiarize yourself with common vocabulary categorized by different settings and themes. Below are the most frequently encountered vocabulary groups in Part 1 of the TOEIC Listening test:

1. TOEIC Part 1 vocabulary about Office and Workplace

This category includes terms frequently used in workplace-related images, such as office settings, meetings, and corporate environments.

TOEIC Part 1 vocabulary	Example
be checking	He is checking the camera’s operation
be typing	The woman is typing a letter
be distributing	The farmers are distributing manure over the field.
be pointing at	The kid is pointing at the board
be speaking in front of	A lady is speaking in front of 3 other people
be operating	The device isn’t operating well
be using	The teacher is using a chalk to write on the board
be giving a presentation	Only one person is giving a presentation
be shaking hands	Two men are shaking hands
be raising one’s hand	Many students are raising their hands
cabinet	A glass-fronted cabinet is displaying a collection of China figurines
document	She is carrying document in front of her boss
printer	There is no one using the printer
copy machine	The copy machine is next to the door
monitor	A woman is lifting the monitor
projector	The projector is in use

TOEIC Part 1 vocabulary about Office and Workplace

2. TOEIC Part 1 vocabulary about Indoor and Outdoor activities

Common words in this category describe various activities taking place in indoor and outdoor environments, including leisure, household tasks, and recreational activities.

TOEIC Part 1 vocabulary	Example
be fixing/repairing	No one is fixing the window
be replacing	A woman is replacing the bottle with a mug
be mopping	There are two people that are mopping the floor
floor	There are two people that are mopping the floor
be packing	They are packing candies
be being decorated	The room is being decorated with Christmas ornaments
equipment	The equipment is being hold on her hand
tool	The man that is assembling a desk isn’t using any tools
be assembling	The man that is assembling a desk isn’t using any tools
be wiping	Only a lady is wiping the mirror
be carrying/moving	The staff is carrying a table
be loading	There are 3 people loading goods onto the truck
be under construction	The taller building is under construction

TOEIC Part 1 vocabulary about Indoor and Outdoor activities

3. TOEIC Part 1 vocabulary about Transportation

This section covers key terms related to different modes of transportation, travel scenarios, and commuting-related actions commonly depicted in TOEIC test images.

TOEIC Part 1 vocabulary	Example
be waiting for	The man is waiting at the bus stop
be crossing the street	The man is crossing the street with an old lady
be being towed	A semi-truck is being towed
intersection	The policeman is regulating traffic at the intersection.
passenger	There are no passengers on the bus
be boarding the bus	A man and a woman are boarding the bus
be walking along	They are walking along the riverside
commuter	The male commuter is smiling despite heavy traffic
vehicle	She is waiting for the vehicle to stop at traffic lights
traffic light	She is waiting for the vehicle to stop at traffic lights

TOEIC Part 1 vocabulary about Transportation

4. TOEIC Part 1 vocabulary about Shopping and Retail

Essential vocabulary in this category is related to shopping, stores, and market transactions, which frequently appear in picture-based questions.

TOEIC Part 1 vocabulary	Example
be buying	She is at the grocery store and buying some bananas
grocery/groceries	She is at the grocery store and buying some bananas
be examining	He is examining the laptop
be trying on	2 girls are trying on the same dress
merchandise	The girl is the one paying for the merchandise
rack	There are only eggs on the rack
be looking at	The men are looking at some books in the showcase
showcase	The men are looking at some books in the showcase
be reaching	The woman is reaching for a bottle
produce	The stall is for fresh produce

TOEIC Part 1 vocabulary about Shopping and Retail

By mastering these TOEIC Part 1 vocabulary, you will significantly enhance your ability to understand and accurately answer Part 1 questions. Be sure to review and practice these terms regularly to improve your performance on the TOEIC Listening test. Keep up your studies, and you will see continuous progress on your TOEIC preparation journey!

Hien Hoang

Product Content Admin

Hi I'm Hien, and I am currently serving as an Product Content Administrator at Prep Education. With over five years of experience in independent online IELTS study and exam preparation, I am confident in my ability to support learners in achieving their highest possible scores.