TOEIC: Propose a Solution Examples
Example 1
Directions: This part will check how well a student can ask to propose a solution. The student
should show that he/she has recognized the problem and should propose away of dealing with
the problem.
The evaluation criteria are as followed:
-Pronunciation, intonation and stress.
-Grammar, vocabulary and cohesion.
-Relevance and completeness of content.
Question:
This is John Kim from EG. I was delighted to get your letter regarding how much you enjoyed
using our product. We are very proud of the product and are pleased with the positive response
we are getting from people like you. The marketing department is working on a new marketing
campaign for the product to allow us to reach more people. We were hoping that you would give
us permission to use some of the comments from your letter in our new campaign. If you agree to
this, please sign and return the enclosed consent form, using the self-addressed, stamped
envelope. As the form states, we assure you that your comments will be printed exactly as they
appear in your letter. When you return the envelope, please feel free to add more comments if
you have any. And please inform us of your phone number and e-mail address. We’ve also
enclosed a discount coupon toward your next purchase, as a small token of our appreciation.
TOEIC: Propose a Solution Examples
Example 2
Directions: In this part of the test, you will be presented with a problem and asked to propose a
solution. Respond as if you work at the bank.
In your response, be sure to:
•
•
show that you recognize the problem, and
propose a way of dealing with the problem.
Now listen to this:
Hi, uh, this is Ron Thomas. This afternoon I shopped at your supermarket and I think you made a
mistake. When I got home I checked my receipt and you charged me for two bottles of cooking oil
but I only bought one bottle. I know it's not a big charge, but I, well, I shouldn't be charged for
something I didn't buy. I can come back to your store if you need me to or please ask your
manager to give me a call at 733-0770. Let me know what I should do.
TOEIC: Propose a Solution Examples
Example 3
Directions: This section of the test evaluates examinees' ability to respond to a dilemma or
problem (in addition to the skills found at questions 1 - 6). Examinees should create a connected
and sustained discourse appropriate to the situation presented. Examinees will have 30 seconds
to prepare their answer and 60 seconds to respond.
Respond as if you work at a credit card company.
When you respond, please:
1.
demonstrate that you understand the problem, and
2.
offer a solution to the problem.
Please listen to the recorded message.
Examinees will hear:
Hello, this is Dan Connor. I'm calling about my new credit card. Ah, actually, the problem is that I
haven't received it yet. My old card expires this week and I would like to get my new card . . . I
actually sent a letter to your office last month but I didn't receive a reply. Anyway, this card is
very important for me because I use it for my business d . . . In fact, I use a credit card from your
company almost every day. I've been using your company for several years now and have always
been very happy with the service d . . .I hope that I can continue using your services in the future.
Could you please call me back at work? I'll be out of my office this morning because of a business
meeting but I would like to know how to get my new card as quickly as possible. This is Dan
Connor. My office number is 555-4321. Thank you.
TOEIC: Propose a Solution Examples
Example 4
Directions: In this part of the test, you will be presented with a problem and asked to propose a
solution. You will have 30 seconds to prepare. Then you will have 60 seconds to speak.
In your response, be sure to:
•
•
show that you recognize the problem, and
propose a way of dealing with the problem
Sample prompt: Transcript of what you would only HEAR:
Hello, this is Nancy Polanski. I'm calling from the airport. One of your taxis dropped me off at the
international departure terminal 20 minutes ago. I think my passport got left behind in the taxi. I
noticed it was missing when I checked in with the airline. I can't find it in my purse or my carry-on
bag. I've retraced my route since arriving, and I cannot locate it. My passport must still be in the
taxi. I don't remember the driver's name. Part of his license number is 3562. Can you please find
the driver and ask him to look for it? I can't miss my flight. It's leaving in an hour. I'll pay for it to
be delivered to me. Please call me as soon as possible. My number is 555-8890. Thank-you.
TOEIC: Propose a Solution Examples
Example 5
Directions: In this part of the test, you will be presented with a problem and asked to propose a
solution. Respond as if you work at the bank.
In your response. Be sure to:
•
•
show that you recognize the problem, and
propose a way of dealing with the problem
Narrator: (You will hear...)
Hi, this is Delphine Roy. I can't seem to open my company's account on your website. Could
someone call me and help me fix this problem? I have to use your system to download a file that
our client uploaded there this morning. It's really frustrating because I need to work on this file
today before I go home. I can't even open the file online. Everything freezes after I put in my
password. I have called your office a thousand times today, but the phone is always answered by
the answering machine. Please improve your standard of service. My company is always looking
for other options that are more cost effective, and you are not the only company who can provide
this service. Please give me a clall as soon as you get back. Again, my name's Delphine Roy from
Audrey Classics, and my phone number is 412-4532, extension 203.
TOEIC: Propose a Solution Examples
Example 6
Directions: In this part of the test, you will be presented with a problem and asked to propose a
solution. You will have 30 seconds to prepare. Then you will have 60 seconds to speak.
In your response, be sure to:
•
•
show that you recognize the problem
propose a way of dealing with the problem.
Now listen to the voice message.
Question:
Hi, this is Marsha Syms. I’m calling about my bank card. I went to the bank machine early this
morning, you know - the ATM - because the bank was closed, so only the machine was open.
Anyway, I put my card in the machine and got my money out, but then my card didn’t come out
of the machine. I got my receipt and my money, but then my bank card just didn’t come out. And
I’m leaving for my vacation tonight so I’m really going to need it. I had to get to work early this
morning and couldn’t wait around for the bank to open. Could you call me here at work and let
me know how to get my bank card back? I’m really busy today and really need you to call me
soon. I can’t go on vacation without my bank card. This is Marsha Syms at 555-1234. Thanks.
TOEIC: Propose a Solution Examples
Example 7
Directions: In this part of the test, you will be presented with a problem and asked to propose a
solution. You will have 30 seconds to prepare. Then you will have 60 seconds to speak.
In your response, be sure to
•
•
show that you recognize the problem, and
propose a way of dealing with the problem
Good morning Ma'am. This is Mina Alberts of No. #2, apartment, Beverly Hills. I'm afraid that
the enclosed (xyz) product doesn't work. It is the third one I've had to return this month (see
attached correspondence). I bought it from ABC stores at Newtown, Big County on (date). I was
careful to follow the instructions for use, honestly. Other than the three I've had to return
recently; I've always found your products to be excellent. I'd be grateful if you could send a
replacement and refund my postage (state amount). I really appreciate your help.
Example 8
Directions: In this part of the test, you will be presented with a problem and asked to propose a
solution. You will have 30 seconds to prepare. Then you will have 60 seconds to speak.
In your response, be sure to:
•
•
show that you recognize the problem, and
propose a way of dealing with the problem
Hello, this is Dale Evans. I recently purchased one of your Techbrite kits for my little son, the
police station model? Unfortunately, the kit didn’t come with an instructions manual for putting
the kit together. Now I’ve bought a few Techbrite kits for him before and they’ve always had a
full color building manual inside. I’ve already tried to put the kit together myself just going by the
photographs on the kit box. But it’s almost impossible to get it fully right. Anyway, my son likes
to put the models together himself following along to the step by step guide in the manual. This
was his main birthday present this year so he’s pretty upset for not putting his police station
model together – sort of ruined the surprise for him, really. I hope you’ll be able to do something
about this as quickly as possible. Please call me back. This is Dale Evans 324-6745.
TOEIC: Propose a Solution Examples
Example 9
Directions: In this part of the test, you will be presented with a problem and asked to propose a
solution. You will have 30 seconds to prepare. Then you will have 60 seconds to speak.
Respond as if you work at the bank.
In your response, be sure to:
• show that you recognize the problem, and
• propose a way of dealing with the problem.
Now listen to the voice message.
You will hear:
Hi, this is Marsha Syms. Um, I’m calling about my bank card. I went to the bank machine early
this morning, you know — the ATM (up speak) ... because the bank was closed so only the
machine was open. Anyway, I put my card in the machine and got my money out, but then my
card didn’t come out of the machine. I got my receipt and my money but then my bank card just
didn’t come out. And I’m leaving for my vacation tonight so I’m really going to need it. I had to get
to work early this morning, and couldn’t wait around for the bank to open. Could you call me
here at work, and let me know how to get my bank card back? I’m really busy today, and really
need you to call me soon. I can’t go on vacation without my bank card. This is Marsha Syms at
555-1234. Thanks.
TOEIC: Propose a Solution Examples
Example 10
Directions: You need to propose a solution to a problem that you will be presented with for this
speaking task. Generally, you will be listening to a message that someone has left on an
answering machine. You will be given 30 seconds to prepare your reply. You will have 60
seconds to speak. In your reply, make certain to show that you recognize the problem, and
recommend a way to deal with the problem. Your response will be evaluated for pronunciation,
intonation and stress, grammar, vocabulary, relevance of content, and completeness of content.
Sample prompt: Transcript of what you would only HEAR:
Hello, this is Nancy Polanski. I'm calling from the airport. One of your taxis dropped me off at the
international departure terminal 20 minutes ago. I think my passport got left behind in the taxi. I
noticed it was missing when I checked in with the airline. I can't find it in my purse or my carry-on
bag. I've retraced my route since arriving, and I cannot locate it. My passport must still be in the
taxi. I don't remember the driver's name. Part of his license number is 3562. Can you please find
the driver and ask him to look for it? I can't miss my flight. It's leaving in an hour. I'll pay for it to
be delivered to me. Please call me as soon as possible. My number is 555-8890. Thank-you.
Example 11
Directions: For this question you will listen to a problem and you will have to offer a solution.
Preparation time: 30 seconds
Response time: 60 seconds
Example problem (transcript):
Hi, this is Angelina Robinson. I'm calling from room 23 down the hall. We are a family of six, and
there are only two small beds in this room. The man at the front desk said this was the only room
available, and he must have assumed it was only for my husband and me. We can't possibly all fit
on these two beds. We have two teenagers, a toddler and a baby. Are you sure there are no other
rooms available? All of the other hotels in town are booked because of the marathon tomorrow.
My husband is one of the competitors and he needs a good night's rest.