TL;DR
- For picture questions, match the whole scene: person + action + object + place.
- For chart/table questions, listen for numbers, categories, and comparisons before choosing.
- Do not choose a picture or chart option just because it contains one word you heard.
🎧 Audio Practice
Use each
Track as a short TTS script. First pass: answer without pausing. Second pass: replay and check the exact visual cue: action, object, number, place, or comparison. For picture drills, sketch the scene quickly before looking at choices.🔑 The Big Picture
TOPIK I listening often asks you to connect a short audio clip to the correct picture, table, chart, or visual option.
These questions feel easy because the Korean is short, but they are trap-heavy. A wrong choice may include the correct object but the wrong action, or the correct number but the wrong category.
Your job is to build a clear mental image while listening:
- Who is involved?
- What are they doing?
- Where are they?
- Which object is mentioned?
- How many / how much / what time is correct?
- Which category is bigger, smaller, earlier, later, or preferred?
🧩 Core Concepts / Patterns
1) Picture-match cues
Listen for verbs and scene markers:
먹어요,마셔요= eating/drinking
읽어요,써요,공부해요= reading/writing/studying
사요,팔아요,입어 봐요= buying/selling/trying on
기다려요,타요,내려요= waiting/riding/getting off
앞,뒤,옆,안,밖,위,아래= location in the picture
2) Chart/table cues
Listen for:
- Prices:
천 원,만 원,오천 원
- Times:
한 시,두 시 반,오전,오후
- Counts:
한 개,두 명,세 권,네 병
- Comparison:
더,가장,보다,많아요,적어요,비싸요,싸요
- Preference:
좋아해요,제일 좋아해요,자주 가요
3) Visual-choice traps
Common wrong answers change:
- the action: reading vs writing
- the object: milk vs juice
- the place: library vs bookstore
- the number: 2 vs 3
- the time: morning vs afternoon
- the comparison: more vs less
✅ Exam Strategy
- Picture questions: Listen for the verb first. The verb usually eliminates two choices immediately.
- Chart questions: Write the number next to the category as you listen.
- Do not over-focus on nouns. If you hear
책, the correct picture may be “returning a book,” not “reading a book.”
- Catch corrections.
아니요,말고,-이/가 아니라often cancel the first visual idea.
- Use final-sentence confirmation. TOPIK I often gives the decisive clue at the end.
⚠️ Pitfalls
- Choosing the picture with the right object but wrong action.
- Missing counters:
두 병is bottles,두 권is books,두 명is people.
- Confusing
오전and오후.
- Missing
더or가장, which changes a simple chart fact into a comparison.
- Choosing the first number heard when the speaker later corrects it.
🧪 Practice Hub: 50 TOPIK I Listening Drills
Practice directions: Each item describes possible visual choices in words. Listen to the track, then choose the matching picture/chart option. There are 5 sets × 10 questions = 50 total.
Set 1 — Matching Simple Pictures: Actions
- Track 1
A: 지금 뭐 해요?
B: 책을 읽어요.
Question: Which picture matches?
① a person reading a book ② a person writing a letter ③ a person drinking water ④ a person sleeping
- Track 2
A: 민수 씨는 어디에 있어요?
B: 운동장에서 축구를 해요.
Question: Which picture matches?
① playing soccer on a field ② watching TV at home ③ buying shoes ④ washing a car
- Track 3
A: 수미 씨가 뭘 해요?
B: 부엌에서 라면을 끓여요.
Question: Which picture matches?
① cooking ramen in a kitchen ② eating bread in a cafe ③ washing clothes ④ reading in a library
- Track 4
A: 지금 비가 와요.
B: 네, 저 사람이 우산을 써요.
Question: Which picture matches?
① using an umbrella ② buying a hat ③ opening a window ④ taking off shoes
- Track 5
A: 영희 씨는 뭐 해요?
B: 친구에게 편지를 써요.
Question: Which picture matches?
① writing a letter ② reading a newspaper ③ sending a package ④ taking a photo
- Track 6
A: 저 아이는 뭐 해요?
B: 물을 마셔요.
Question: Which picture matches?
① drinking water ② eating rice ③ brushing teeth ④ carrying a bag
- Track 7
A: 동생은 방에서 뭐 해요?
B: 침대에서 자요.
Question: Which picture matches?
① sleeping on a bed ② sitting at a desk ③ cleaning the floor ④ playing outside
- Track 8
A: 여기는 조용하네요.
B: 네, 사람들이 도서관에서 공부해요.
Question: Which picture matches?
① studying in a library ② singing at a party ③ swimming at a pool ④ cooking at home
- Track 9
A: 저 남자는 뭘 해요?
B: 버스를 기다려요.
Question: Which picture matches?
① waiting for a bus ② driving a bus ③ getting off a bus ④ washing a bus
- Track 10
A: 오늘 날씨가 좋아요.
B: 네, 사람들이 공원에서 산책해요.
Question: Which picture matches?
① walking in a park ② shopping in a store ③ eating in a restaurant ④ studying in a classroom
Answers — Set 1
- ① —
책을 읽어요means reading a book.
- ① —
운동장에서 축구를 해요.
- ① —
부엌에서 라면을 끓여요.
- ① —
우산을 써요means using/carrying an umbrella.
- ① —
편지를 써요.
- ① —
물을 마셔요.
- ① —
침대에서 자요.
- ① —
도서관에서 공부해요.
- ① —
버스를 기다려요.
- ① —
공원에서 산책해요.
Set 2 — Matching Pictures: Place, Object, and Position
- Track 11
A: 가방이 어디에 있어요?
B: 의자 위에 있어요.
Question: Which picture matches?
① bag on a chair ② bag under a chair ③ bag beside a door ④ bag in a car
- Track 12
A: 고양이는 어디에 있어요?
B: 책상 밑에 있어요.
Question: Which picture matches?
① cat under a desk ② cat on a bed ③ cat outside a house ④ cat next to a chair
- Track 13
A: 사과는 어디에 놓을까요?
B: 접시 옆에 놓으세요.
Question: Which picture matches?
① apple beside a plate ② apple on a plate ③ apple under a table ④ apple in a bag
- Track 14
A: 우체국이 어디에 있어요?
B: 은행 뒤에 있어요.
Question: Which picture matches?
① post office behind the bank ② post office in front of the bank ③ bank behind the school ④ post office beside the hospital
- Track 15
A: 아이들이 어디에서 놀아요?
B: 집 밖에서 놀아요.
Question: Which picture matches?
① children playing outside the house ② children sleeping inside ③ children studying at school ④ children eating in a restaurant
- Track 16
A: 휴대 전화가 어디에 있어요?
B: 책하고 공책 사이에 있어요.
Question: Which picture matches?
① phone between a book and notebook ② phone under a chair ③ phone in a cup ④ phone outside the room
- Track 17
A: 선생님은 어디에 계세요?
B: 교실 앞에 계세요.
Question: Which picture matches?
① teacher at the front of the classroom ② teacher behind the school ③ teacher at home ④ teacher outside a bus
- Track 18
A: 남자는 어디에 앉아 있어요?
B: 창문 옆에 앉아 있어요.
Question: Which picture matches?
① man sitting by the window ② man standing at the door ③ man sitting under a tree ④ man walking outside
- Track 19
A: 컵은 어디에 있어요?
B: 컴퓨터 오른쪽에 있어요.
Question: Which picture matches?
① cup to the right of the computer ② cup to the left of the computer ③ cup under the computer ④ cup in front of the door
- Track 20
A: 자전거는 어디에 세웠어요?
B: 학교 앞에 세웠어요.
Question: Which picture matches?
① bicycle in front of the school ② bicycle behind the hospital ③ bicycle inside a classroom ④ bicycle beside a bed
Answers — Set 2
- ① —
의자 위means on the chair.
- ① —
책상 밑means under the desk.
- ① —
접시 옆means beside the plate.
- ① —
은행 뒤means behind the bank.
- ① —
집 밖means outside the house.
- ① —
사이에means between.
- ① —
교실 앞means the front of the classroom.
- ① —
창문 옆means by the window.
- ① —
오른쪽means right side.
- ① —
학교 앞means in front of the school.
Set 3 — Matching Tables: Time, Price, and Quantity
- Track 21
A: 영화가 몇 시에 시작해요?
B: 오후 세 시에 시작해요.
Question: Which table entry is correct?
① Movie — 3 p.m. ② Movie — 3 a.m. ③ Class — 3 p.m. ④ Movie — 4 p.m.
- Track 22
A: 사과는 얼마예요?
B: 두 개에 천 원이에요.
Question: Which price is correct?
① apples, 2 for 1,000 won ② apples, 1 for 2,000 won ③ oranges, 2 for 1,000 won ④ apples, 3 for 1,000 won
- Track 23
A: 빵을 몇 개 샀어요?
B: 빵 세 개하고 우유 한 병을 샀어요.
Question: Which quantity is correct?
① bread 3, milk 1 bottle ② bread 1, milk 3 bottles ③ bread 2, milk 1 bottle ④ bread 3, juice 1 bottle
- Track 24
A: 수업은 언제 끝나요?
B: 열두 시 반에 끝나요.
Question: Which time is correct?
① 12:30 ② 12:00 ③ 2:30 ④ 10:30
- Track 25
A: 티셔츠가 얼마예요?
B: 만 오천 원이에요.
Question: Which price is correct?
① 15,000 won ② 5,000 won ③ 10,500 won ④ 50,000 won
- Track 26
A: 몇 명이 여행을 가요?
B: 저하고 친구 두 명이 가요. 모두 세 명이에요.
Question: Which number is correct?
① 3 people ② 2 people ③ 1 person ④ 4 people
- Track 27
A: 한국어 시험은 무슨 요일이에요?
B: 금요일이에요. 수학 시험은 월요일이에요.
Question: Which table entry is correct?
① Korean test — Friday ② Korean test — Monday ③ Math test — Friday ④ Korean test — Sunday
- Track 28
A: 커피하고 주스가 얼마예요?
B: 커피는 삼천 원, 주스는 사천 원이에요.
Question: Which price is correct?
① coffee 3,000 / juice 4,000 ② coffee 4,000 / juice 3,000 ③ both 3,000 ④ both 4,000
- Track 29
A: 버스는 몇 시에 와요?
B: 오전 아홉 시 십 분에 와요.
Question: Which time is correct?
① 9:10 a.m. ② 9:10 p.m. ③ 10:09 a.m. ④ 8:10 a.m.
- Track 30
A: 책을 몇 권 빌릴 수 있어요?
B: 한 사람은 네 권까지 빌릴 수 있어요.
Question: Which number is correct?
① 4 books per person ② 3 books per person ③ 4 people per book ④ 1 book only
Answers — Set 3
- ① —
오후 세 시.
- ① —
두 개에 천 원.
- ① —
빵 세 개하고 우유 한 병.
- ① —
열두 시 반.
- ① —
만 오천 원.
- ① — B confirms
모두 세 명.
- ① — Korean test is Friday; math is Monday.
- ① — Coffee is 3,000 won and juice is 4,000 won.
- ① —
오전 아홉 시 십 분.
- ① —
네 권까지means up to four books.
Set 4 — Matching Charts: Comparison and Preference
- Track 31
A: 어떤 과일을 제일 좋아해요?
B: 사과를 제일 좋아해요. 바나나도 좋아하지만 사과를 더 좋아해요.
Question: Which chart matches?
① apple highest ② banana highest ③ orange highest ④ all equal
- Track 32
A: 어느 요일에 손님이 가장 많아요?
B: 토요일에 가장 많아요. 일요일은 토요일보다 적어요.
Question: Which chart matches?
① Saturday highest ② Sunday highest ③ Monday highest ④ Saturday lowest
- Track 33
A: 지하철하고 버스 중에 뭐가 더 빨라요?
B: 지하철이 더 빨라요.
Question: Which chart matches?
① subway faster than bus ② bus faster than subway ③ both same ④ taxi slower than bus
- Track 34
A: 이번 달에는 책을 몇 권 읽었어요?
B: 지난달에는 두 권, 이번 달에는 다섯 권 읽었어요.
Question: Which chart matches?
① this month 5, last month 2 ② this month 2, last month 5 ③ both 5 ④ both 2
- Track 35
A: 어떤 음식이 제일 비싸요?
B: 비빔밥은 칠천 원, 냉면은 팔천 원, 김밥은 삼천 원이에요.
Question: Which chart matches?
① naengmyeon highest price ② bibimbap highest ③ kimbap highest ④ all same
- Track 36
A: 학생들이 어디에 자주 가요?
B: 도서관에 제일 자주 가요. 영화관에는 별로 안 가요.
Question: Which chart matches?
① library highest, movie theater low ② movie theater highest ③ school lowest ④ all equal
- Track 37
A: 오늘보다 내일이 더 추워요?
B: 네, 오늘은 10도, 내일은 5도예요.
Question: Which chart matches?
① tomorrow colder than today ② today colder than tomorrow ③ both 10 degrees ④ both 5 degrees
- Track 38
A: 어떤 색 가방이 제일 많이 팔렸어요?
B: 검은색 가방이 제일 많이 팔렸어요. 흰색은 두 번째예요.
Question: Which chart matches?
① black highest, white second ② white highest, black second ③ red highest ④ black lowest
- Track 39
A: 아침에는 손님이 많아요?
B: 아니요. 점심시간에 가장 많아요.
Question: Which chart matches?
① lunchtime highest ② morning highest ③ evening highest ④ morning and lunch equal
- Track 40
A: 민수 씨는 운동을 얼마나 해요?
B: 월요일에는 한 시간, 수요일에는 두 시간 해요.
Question: Which chart matches?
① Wednesday 2 hours, Monday 1 hour ② Monday 2 hours, Wednesday 1 hour ③ both 1 hour ④ both 2 hours
Answers — Set 4
- ① —
사과를 제일 좋아해요.
- ① —
토요일에 가장 많아요.
- ① —
지하철이 더 빨라요.
- ① — This month is five books; last month was two.
- ① — 냉면 is 8,000 won, the highest.
- ① — Library is most frequent; movie theater is low.
- ① — Tomorrow is 5 degrees, so it is colder.
- ① — Black is highest; white is second.
- ① —
점심시간에 가장 많아요.
- ① — Wednesday two hours, Monday one hour.
Set 5 — Mixed Visual Drill
- Track 41
A: 남자는 뭘 하고 있어요?
B: 가게 앞에서 꽃을 팔고 있어요.
Question: Which picture matches?
① selling flowers in front of a store ② buying flowers at home ③ watering trees in a park ④ reading a flower book
- Track 42
A: 오늘 회의는 몇 시예요?
B: 세 시가 아니라 네 시예요.
Question: Which table entry is correct?
① meeting — 4:00 ② meeting — 3:00 ③ class — 4:00 ④ meeting — 2:00
- Track 43
A: 이 사람은 어디에 있어요?
B: 공항에서 비행기를 기다려요.
Question: Which picture matches?
① waiting for a plane at the airport ② taking a bus at school ③ buying bread ④ swimming at a pool
- Track 44
A: 어느 음료가 제일 싸요?
B: 물은 천 원, 커피는 삼천 원, 주스는 이천 원이에요.
Question: Which chart matches?
① water cheapest ② coffee cheapest ③ juice cheapest ④ all same
- Track 45
A: 여자는 뭐 해요?
B: 의자에 앉아서 음악을 들어요.
Question: Which picture matches?
① sitting on a chair and listening to music ② standing and singing ③ sleeping on a bed ④ buying a chair
- Track 46
A: 아이스크림을 몇 개 살 거예요?
B: 초콜릿 두 개하고 딸기 한 개를 살 거예요.
Question: Which quantity is correct?
① chocolate 2, strawberry 1 ② chocolate 1, strawberry 2 ③ chocolate 3 ④ strawberry 3
- Track 47
A: 우산이 어디에 있어요?
B: 문 뒤에 있어요.
Question: Which picture matches?
① umbrella behind the door ② umbrella in front of the door ③ umbrella on the table ④ umbrella under the bed
- Track 48
A: 학생들이 어느 과목을 제일 좋아해요?
B: 한국어를 제일 좋아해요. 영어보다 더 좋아해요.
Question: Which chart matches?
① Korean highest ② English highest ③ math highest ④ Korean lowest
- Track 49
A: 여자는 지금 뭐 해요?
B: 옷을 입어 보고 있어요.
Question: Which picture matches?
① trying on clothes ② washing clothes ③ folding clothes ④ selling clothes
- Track 50
A: 표가 얼마예요?
B: 어른은 만 원, 아이는 오천 원이에요.
Question: Which table entry is correct?
① adult 10,000 / child 5,000 ② adult 5,000 / child 10,000 ③ both 10,000 ④ both 5,000
Answers — Set 5
- ① —
가게 앞에서 꽃을 팔고 있어요.
- ① —
세 시가 아니라 네 시corrects the time.
- ① —
공항에서 비행기를 기다려요.
- ① — Water is 1,000 won, the cheapest.
- ① — Sitting on a chair and listening to music.
- ① — Chocolate two and strawberry one.
- ① —
문 뒤means behind the door.
- ① — Korean is the most liked.
- ① —
입어 보고 있어요means trying on clothes.
- ① — Adult ticket 10,000 won; child ticket 5,000 won.
✅ Final Review Checklist
- Did you identify the action before choosing the picture?
- Did you match the correct object, not just a related object?
- Did you write down numbers beside the correct chart category?
- Did you catch correction patterns like
-이/가 아니라?
- Can you explain why each wrong visual option is tempting?