“Where” Questions on the TOEIC: Why the Best Answer Isn’t Always a Place

Welcome to Win in 5 Minutes English. I'm Jason. A paper jam is one of those tiny office problems that can ruin your whole morning. Ryan asked three "where" questions just now. But listen to Megan's answers: not one of them simply names a place. The TOEIC does this fairly often in the question-and-response part of the test, where you hear one question and three possible replies. That's Part 2.

Let's start with the problem: "The copier's jammed again." Jammed means paper is stuck inside, so the machine won't work. On the test, you might hear "The copier is out of order," or "The machine isn't working."

Then Ryan asks, "Where's the repair number?" And Megan says, "Ask Maria at the front desk." She doesn't give him the number. She gives him a person who knows it. On the test, that's often a good answer to a "where" question. Replies like "Check with the receptionist," or "Maria should know," can work the same way. And at work, it's just a helpful habit: if you don't know, point to someone who does.

Next: "Where can I print in the meantime?" In the meantime means until something is fixed or ready. On the test, you might hear "for now," or "until then." And Megan answers, "Just send it to my printer." That's an offer, not a location. But it solves Ryan's problem.

Then: "Where do we keep the extra paper?" And Megan says, "I think we're out." We're out means there's none left. On the test, that could be "We've run out," or "There isn't any left." So sometimes the answer to "where" is: there's nothing to find.

And finally, Ryan says, "I'll leave it to the experts." That means he'll let the people who know how to fix it handle it. Smart move.

So here's the trap. A "where" question can't be answered with yes or no. But wrong answers often start with yes, or repeat a word or sound you just heard. If someone asks, "Where's the repair number?" a reply like "Yes, it was repaired last week" sounds close, because repaired echoes repair. It's still wrong.

And here's today's big lesson: a good answer to "where" doesn't always name a place. It might name a person, make an offer, or tell you there's nothing there.

Okay, back to the copier. Listen again, and for each "where," notice what Megan gives Ryan instead of a place.

So, what did Megan give Ryan? A person to ask, a printer to use, and the news that the paper is probably gone. And not one simple location. Today's phrases: jammed, ask Maria at the front desk, in the meantime, we're out, and leave it to the experts. Here's one to try today: when a coworker asks where something is and you're not sure, point them to a person. Something like, "I'm not sure. Ask Kevin at the front desk." Want one more practice round? Today's page has a quick TOEIC question about this paper jam. The link is below.

Remember, five minutes a day is all you need to win at work, win the TOEIC, and win over your colleagues. And if your copier jams today, take a deep breath, and maybe ask Maria. See you around!