Hey everyone, Grant here from Kōjō Communication Academy 👋
If you've ever taken the Versant Speaking & Listening Test, you'll know that Part C: Conversation Questions looks easy — but once you start, it's a real test of focus and comprehension.
In this section, you'll listen to short conversations between two people and then answer one question in a single clear sentence.
It's not about remembering every word — it's about catching the main idea and responding naturally.
Let's break down how to handle Part C step by step.
🧠 1. What Part C Really Tests
Each question includes a short conversation (2 speakers × 3–5 lines) followed by a Wh-question about it.
Part C measures:
- 🎧 Listening comprehension — Can you catch key ideas and details?
- 🧩 Inference skills — Can you understand what's implied, not just said?
- 💬 Summarization — Can you answer in one complete sentence?
- 🗣️ Pronunciation & fluency — Can you respond clearly and naturally?
Kōjō tip: Focus on the main point, not every word. Listen for key details — time, reason, decision, or emotion — and answer directly.
💬 2. Sample Conversations
Here are three Versant-style examples to show what you can expect:
🏠 Everyday Life
A: "Excuse me, have you seen a small, black wallet anywhere? I think I might have dropped it."
B: "I haven't, sorry. Did you check with the lost and found?"
A: "Not yet, that's a good idea. I'll go there now."
B: "I hope you find it!"
Question: What is the man going to do next?
✅ Answer: He's going to check lost and found.
💼 Workplace
A: "Hi, I'd like to schedule a meeting with Mr. Jones, please."
B: "Of course. When would be a good time for you?"
A: "Tuesday afternoon would work best."
B: "Okay, let me check… We have a slot open at 2:30 PM. Does that work?"
A: "Yes, 2:30 is perfect."
Question: What time is the meeting scheduled for?
✅ Answer: The meeting is scheduled for 2:30 PM.
🛍️ Transactions or Services
A: "Hi, I'd like to return this sweater, please."
B: "Do you have your receipt?"
A: "Yes, here it is. I bought it yesterday, but it's too small."
B: "No problem. Would you like a refund or an exchange?"
A: "An exchange, please. Do you have it in a larger size?"
Question: Why is the man returning the sweater?
✅ Answer: It's too small.
Kōjō tip: Most Part C conversations are about daily life, work, or customer service. Stay calm, identify the topic quickly, and focus on the purpose of the question.
🔎 3. Common Conversation Types & What to Listen For
| 💬 Situation | 🧭 Examples | 🎯 What to Listen For |
|---|---|---|
| 🏠 Everyday life / social talk | Lost items, travel, weather | Main topic & future actions |
| 💼 Workplace / business | Meetings, projects, emails | Purpose & decisions |
| 🛍️ Transactions / services | Shopping, refunds, restaurant orders | Reasons & outcomes |
| ⚙️ Troubleshooting / problems | Tech issues, missed deadlines | Cause & solution |
Essential skills:
- 🎧 Catch details — dates, times, prices, reasons
- 💡 Understand intent — request, offer, complaint, explanation
- 🔍 Infer meaning — read between the lines
- 🗣️ Answer accurately — one clear, complete sentence
🗝️ 4. Grammar and Vocabulary Focus
Most conversations use A2–B2 level English — simple but natural vocabulary, with some idioms like "That's a pity" or "mixed up."
Keep these points in mind:
- ✅ Use the same tense as the question.
- ✅ Keep word order natural (Subject + Verb + Object).
- ✅ Use connectors like because, so, since to give reasons.
- ✅ Answer in one full sentence — not a fragment.
Example:
Q: Why did the woman decline the offer?
✅ A: She declined because she had already bought bowls.
💪 5. Tips for Excelling
- ⭐Listen actively — Focus on the main idea, not every word.
- ⭐Predict the question — Guess what might be asked as you listen.
- ⭐Don't memorize — Grasp key information instead.
- ⭐Infer meaning — Think beyond what's said directly.
- ⭐Keep it short — One sentence is perfect.
- ⭐Speak naturally — Rhythm and tone matter.
Kōjō tip: If you miss a word, don't panic — just answer based on what you understood. A confident, partial answer scores higher than silence.
🧩 6. Self-Study Ideas
- 📱 Use Versant Pro Trainer — Practise Part C sets regularly.
- 🎧 Listen and summarize — Pause short conversations and say what happened in one sentence.
- 🗒️ Create your own Q&A — After listening, write a question and answer it yourself.
- 🗣️ Shadow native speakers — Copy their rhythm and tone.
- 🎙️ Record and review — Compare your answers with model responses and adjust fluency.
🌟 7. Final Thoughts
Part C shows how well you can listen for meaning and respond with clarity.
It's not just about words — it's about understanding and reacting like a fluent communicator.
Remember:
- ✅ Listen carefully
- ✅ Think quickly
- ✅ Answer clearly
Keep training with Versant Pro Trainer, and soon you'll find Part C feeling smooth and natural.
Stay curious, stay sharp, and let your English confidence shine 💬🌱
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Founder, Kōjō Communication Academy
Grant is a native English speaker from the UK with over 20 years of experience in business English training and Versant test preparation. He's helped thousands of professionals improve their communication skills and achieve their career goals.
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