OET Listening Part B：短い職場音声で目的・要点・次の行動を見つける方法

OET Listening Part Bでは、医療現場の短い音声を6つ聞き、それぞれ3択の問題に1問ずつ答えます。多くの問題は、話し手がなぜ話しているのか、何を心配しているのか、聞き手が次に何をすべきかを問います。誤りの選択肢は多くの場合、話題や背景、あるいは話し手がはっきり否定した内容から作られています。まず依頼や懸念をつかみ、それを限定する語を確認しましょう：first、if、unless、before。この記事は、英語が中上級（B2）以上の看護師と医師を対象にしています。

この記事が向いている人

Part Bの音声の単語はすべて聞き取れたのに、誤りの選択肢を選んでしまう看護師・医師。
聞こえた単語がいちばん多く入った選択肢に引き寄せられる受験者。
自分のブリーフィングや申し送りを、相手がすぐ行動に移せるものにしたい医療職。
まだ早い：Part Aの診察音声でまだ細部の失点が多いなら、Part Aのガイドから始めましょう（下のリンク）。
簡単すぎる：Part Bの正答がすでに安定しているなら、Part Cの長い音声に進みましょう（下のリンク）。

サンプルページを開く

単語カード

Personal · a message you misunderstood

Think of a time you misunderstood an instruction at work or in your studies. Was the problem the speaker, the situation or you?

Useful: ‘I thought I’d been asked to…, but in fact…’ · ‘What confused me was…’ · ‘Looking back, the problem was…’

Personal · your own style

When you pass on information to a colleague, do you usually start with the background or with the main point? Why?

Useful: ‘I tend to start with…’ · ‘It depends on how urgent…’ · ‘I find that if I…, people…’

Professional practice · briefings

What makes a team briefing or handover useful in your workplace, and what makes it a waste of time?

Useful: ‘The most useful briefings are the ones that…’ · ‘What really slows things down is…’ · ‘For example, …’

Professional practice · repeating back

Should colleagues always be asked to repeat back an instruction, or can that feel patronising to experienced staff?

Useful: ‘I can see why…, but…’ · ‘It might feel…, unless…’ · ‘In my experience, experienced staff…’

Big idea · clarity and completeness

Is it more important for a workplace message to be clear or to be complete? Can it always be both?

Useful: ‘I’d put clarity first, because…’ · ‘There’s always a trade-off between… and…’ · ‘That’s true only if…’

会話

narrator Extract one. Maya briefs reception staff about a temporary room change.

Maya The usual waiting area is being cleaned this morning, so visitors for booked appointments should wait in Room Two, opposite reception. The appointment list has not changed, and nobody needs to cancel or make a new booking. Please greet people as usual, then explain where they should sit. We have put a sign on the door, but I do not want anyone to feel uncertain if they miss it. This is just for this morning. I will let you know when the regular waiting area is available again.

narrator Extract two. Owen asks a colleague to remind their team about a revised staff meeting.

Owen The meeting is now at eleven rather than ten. The new invitation has gone out, but I am concerned that some people still have the old time in their calendars. Could you remind your team to check the updated invitation? The agenda is unchanged and we still expect to finish within half an hour. There is no need to prepare a different report. I just want everyone to arrive together, rather than half the group coming an hour early.

narrator Extract three. Maya speaks to a colleague about language support.

Maya A visitor requested language support when the appointment was arranged. Before I call back to confirm the practical details, could you check that the booking appears on the support-service list? We do not need a new leaflet, and I am not asking you to translate anything yourself. The request has already been made; this is simply a check that it has been recorded. If you cannot find it, let me know so I can contact the service through the usual channel.

文の形

1
Choose the words that complete the sentence from the article.
The practical message came last, ______ there was time.
答えと解説を見る
if
If introduces a condition: the message came last only when there was time for it. Unless would reverse the meaning.
2
Choose the words that complete the sentence from the article.
Background comes afterwards, and ______ someone asks for it.
答えと解説を見る
only if
Only if limits the action to one condition: no request, no background. Unless and even if would change the meaning.
3
Choose the words that complete the sentence from the article.
Conditions are stated together with the instruction, not separately: “Use the side entrance ______ the lift is repaired”.
答えと解説を見る
until
Until + clause gives the time limit of an instruction: it applies up to the moment the lift is repaired. During and by cannot introduce a clause here.
4
Choose the words that complete the sentence from the article.
Colleagues are asked to repeat back any action that applies to them ______ the briefing ends.
答えと解説を見る
before
Before + clause places the action earlier than another event. During needs a noun, and until would describe a continuous action.
5
Choose the words that complete the sentence from the article.
They also agreed that “a concern” would always be followed by what staff should do about it, ______ the answer was genuinely “nothing yet; we’ll update you tomorrow”.
答えと解説を見る
unless
Unless introduces an exception to the general rule (= except if); if would reverse the meaning.
6
Choose the words that complete the sentence from the article.
People worry less about an uncertain situation ______ they know when they will hear more.
答えと解説を見る
once
Once + present simple means ‘as soon as / after’: the worry reduces from the moment they know.

追加の練習

Model the strategy before practice

Purpose is the reason for speaking

Separate the message’s purpose from the topic it mentions.
The lift is being repaired, so please direct visitors to the other entrance. Topic: lift repairs. Purpose: tell staff how to redirect visitors.

Concern is not always a direct command

Listen for what could go wrong and why it matters.
I am worried that the new signs are easy to miss. The concern is visibility, not the colour of the walls.

Qualifier

A word such as only, until or unless limits the message.
Use the side entrance until noon. This instruction is temporary, not a permanent change.

Choose and justify with evidence

1
Extract 1: Why is Maya speaking to the reception team?
答えと解説を見る
To ask them to guide visitors to a temporary waiting area
The extract explains that the usual waiting area is unavailable and asks staff to direct visitors to Room 2; appointments continue.
2
Extract 2: What is Owen mainly concerned about?
答えと解説を見る
Staff missing a changed meeting time
He says the old time is still in some calendars and asks staff to check the updated invitation.
3
Extract 3: What does Maya want her colleague to do?
答えと解説を見る
Confirm that the requested language-support booking is listed
Maya asks for a booking check and says no new leaflet or independent translation is needed.

Model the strategy before practice

Background explains; the main point guides

Ask what a colleague should remember after the exchange.
We tried two layouts last month. From Monday, use the single-page form. The trial is background; the new form is the action.

Examples do not define the whole message

A list can illustrate a broader category.
Pens and folders are examples of supplies; a message about checking supplies is not only about pens.

Contrast changes emphasis

But and however can redirect the point.
The old procedure is familiar, but the updated version removes duplicate entries. Familiarity is acknowledged; use of the update is the message.

After listening: full transcript

narrator Extract one. Two colleagues discuss a revised administrative form.

Maya Some staff still prefer the old form. They know where every box is.

Owen I understand that. We tried different layouts last month before choosing this one. From Monday, though, everyone should use the updated form. It removes the section that repeated information already on the first page. Nobody needs to rewrite previous records, and the old examples can stay in the training folder for reference. For new entries from Monday onward, the updated form is the one to use.

narrator Extract two. Maya explains how to report low supplies.

Maya We have received several separate messages about supplies. One person mentioned pens and another mentioned folders, but those are only examples. Before we place an order, please add anything running low to the shared supplies list. That will let us see the whole picture and avoid ordering the same item twice. You do not need to buy anything yourself, and please do not send a separate message for every item. A clear entry on the list is enough.

narrator Extract three. Owen reviews follow-up call records.

Owen The calls last week went well. Visitors generally understood the arrangements, and several thanked the team for checking. There is still one documentation issue, however. Some outcomes were noted only in individual emails, which other colleagues cannot easily find. Please put the outcome in the shared follow-up field as well. I am not asking you to repeat a call that has already been completed. We just need the record to show what happened, so the next colleague does not have to guess.

Choose and justify with evidence

1
Extract 1: What should staff take away from the discussion?
答えと解説を見る
They should use the updated form from Monday
Owen sets Monday as the changeover and explicitly says previous records do not need rewriting.
2
Extract 2: What is the central request?
答えと解説を見る
Report low stocks through the shared list
Maya uses pens and folders as examples and asks for shortages to be entered on the shared list before an order.
3
Extract 3: Why does Owen mention last week’s successful calls?
答えと解説を見る
To reassure staff while explaining the remaining documentation issue
He acknowledges successful communication but asks staff to record the outcome in the shared field so colleagues can see it.

Model the strategy before practice

First and then

Keep a sequence separate from its final outcome.
Check whether the message has arrived, then contact the sender if it has not. Contacting the sender is conditional, not always the first step.

Unless

Unless introduces an exception to the normal action.
Keep the booking unless the visitor asks to change it. A possible request is not an instruction to cancel every booking.

Confirmation versus completion

A task can ask you to verify a record rather than redo the work.
Check that the request is logged. This does not mean submit a second request.

After listening: full transcript

narrator Extract one. Maya discusses a room-booking confirmation.

Maya I sent the room request yesterday, but the confirmation may have gone to the shared inbox rather than to me. Could you check there first? If it is already there, simply mark the request as confirmed. If you cannot find it, tell me and I will follow up with the booking team. Please do not send a duplicate request before we have checked. That could leave them thinking we need two rooms when we only need one.

narrator Extract two. Owen asks about a visitor’s appointment.

Owen The visitor said the journey might be difficult. Should I move the booking to Friday?

Maya Not yet. She is checking her travel arrangements and will call if she wants to change the date. Keep the existing booking unless she asks us to move it. We can discuss available times when she calls, but we should not assume she wants Friday. The fact that she mentioned a possible difficulty is not a cancellation request.

narrator Extract three. Maya checks an updated contact list with Owen.

Maya The new list is nearly ready. The only detail still awaiting confirmation is the support coordinator’s direct number.

Owen I found a different number in an older email. Should I use that?

Maya Please ask the coordinator to confirm the revised number before you share the list. Keep the remaining entries as they are. We do not need to rebuild the whole document, and using an unconfirmed number could make the update less useful than the current version.

Choose and justify with evidence

1
Extract 1: What should the colleague do first?
答えと解説を見る
Check the shared inbox for the confirmation
Maya asks for the shared inbox to be checked before anyone contacts the service again.
2
Extract 2: What is the agreed action for the existing booking?
答えと解説を見る
Keep it unless the visitor requests a change
The visitor is checking travel but has not requested a change; the booking stays in place.
3
Extract 3: What should Owen do before sharing the list?
答えと解説を見る
Ask the coordinator to confirm the revised contact number
The coordinator must confirm the revised number before the updated list is circulated.

Use the strategy in a new exchange

How can you make the condition clear?

Please check for the confirmation first. If it is missing, let me know before you send another request.

One possible formulation; other coherent and accurate responses are welcome.

Transfer brief

Use a neutral task such as confirming a room booking or updating a contact list.
Give a first step and one possible follow-up.
Include if, unless or before accurately.
Improve any wording that could cause a colleague to act too soon.

Two rounds

Plan your wording and priorities.
Speak naturally and respond to your partner’s question.
Exchange specific feedback and improve one part in a shorter retry.

この単元を学ぶ

どの方法で学びますか？

アカウントをお持ちですか？

無料アカウントで1つの単元をずっと開いておけます。

Part Bでは何をするのか

各音声は仕事の短い一場面です。チームのブリーフィング、申し送り、同僚どうしの会話、職員と患者の会話などです。再生前に問題を読む時間が数秒あります。すべての単語を聞き取る必要はほとんどありません。必要なのは、話し手が聞き手に何を求めているかをつかむことです。

話題は目的ではない

話題は音声の中で触れられていること、目的は話し手が話している理由です。“The lift is being repaired, so please direct visitors to the side entrance”では、話題はエレベーター、目的はスタッフに来訪者を横の入口へ案内してもらうことです。ほとんどの音声は次の3つのどれかにあたります。

情報を伝える：“Just to let you know…”、“From Monday…”
懸念を伝える：“I’m worried that…”、“My concern is…”。懸念はいつも指示の形で言われるとは限りません。
行動を頼む：“Could you…?”、“Please…”、“I’d like you to…”

要点と、背景・例・安心させる言葉

背景は何かが起きている理由を説明し、要点は聞き手がそれについて何をすべきかを伝えます。話し手は背景から話し始めることが多いので、最初の文のあとも聞き続けましょう。3つの合図が役立ちます。

逆接の語は流れを変えます：but、however、though、actually。“Some staff prefer the old form. From Monday, though, everyone should use the updated one.”
例はカテゴリーを示します：“Someone mentioned pens, someone else folders, but please add anything running low to the shared list.” ペンだけの選択肢では範囲が狭すぎます。
安心させる言葉は何かを除外します：“There is no need to…”、“I’m not asking you to…”。誤りの選択肢はこうした文から作られることがよくあります。

最初の手順、条件、例外

次の行動を問う問題は、今何をすべきかを問います。小さな語が指示を限定し、正解はそのすべての限定を守っています。

“Check the shared inbox first. If the confirmation is there, mark it as confirmed.” 最初の手順：確認すること。
“Keep the booking unless she asks to move it.” unlessは「〜しない限り」という意味です。今は何も変えません。
“Before you share the list, ask the coordinator to confirm the number.” beforeの後の行動は、先に聞こえても順番は2番目です。
“Use the side entrance until noon.” untilは終わりの時点を示し、onceは「〜したらすぐに」という意味です。
文法：if、unless、before、until、onceの後では、未来のことも現在形（present simple）で表します。“unless she will call”ではなく“unless she calls”です。

自分に合った方法でこの単元を学ぶ

聞いてみよう：同僚は何をすべきか

ある職員が、来訪者の言語サポートについて同僚に話しています。彼女の依頼を、はっきり否定していることや、問題があった場合にだけ起きることと区別しましょう。

話し手 A visitor requested language support when the appointment was arranged. Before I call back to confirm the practical details, could you check that the booking appears on the support-service list? We do not need a new leaflet, and I am not asking you to translate anything yourself. The request has already been made; this is simply a check that it has been recorded. If you cannot find it, let me know so I can contact the service through the usual channel.

彼女は同僚に何をしてほしいのでしょうか？

Part Bのよくある間違い

模擬試験の答えをこのリストで確認しましょう。

聞こえた単語をいちばん多く繰り返している選択肢を選ぶ。
目的を問われているのに、話題や背景で答える。
話し手が否定したことを依頼だと思い込む。
最初の手順を問われているのに、後の手順や条件付きの手順を選ぶ。
日本語の「頼まない限り」のように否定が動詞に含まれるため、unlessの後にさらにnotを付けてしまいがちです。“unless she asks”だけで「頼まない限り」という意味になります。

15分のPart Bルーティン

模擬試験1回分の音声6つを使います。

3分：各問題を読み、種類に印を付ける：目的、懸念、要点、次の行動。
6分：各音声を1回ずつ聞いて答える。
4分：スクリプトで確認し、正解の合図と、ほかの選択肢を除外する語に下線を引く。
2分：どの落とし穴にはまったかを書く：話題、背景、否定された行動、順番の取り違え。

次のステップ

話すときにも同じ技術を使いましょう。目的を先に言い、限定をひとつ加えます：“Please check the revised invitation today so that nobody arrives at the old time.” 学習仲間と話し合ってみましょう：職場のメッセージは、明確さと漏れのなさのどちらが大切でしょうか。両立はできるでしょうか。

Part Cでは、より長いインタビューや講演で話し手の意見と理由を追います。Reading Part Bでは、短い職場の文書で同じ技術が問われます。

よくある質問

OET Listening Part Bは何問ですか？

6問で、音声ごとに1問です。Listening全体は3つのパートで42問です。

Part Bの音声は2回聞けますか？

いいえ。各音声は1回しか流れないので、問題と選択肢を先に読んでおきましょう。

Part Bの音声は自分の職種に関する内容ですか？

必ずしもそうではありません。Listeningは全職種共通で、答えるのに専門知識は必要ありません。

次の練習を探す

FlalingoはOETを運営する団体と提携しておらず、それらの団体から推奨や承認を受けていません。

OET Listening Part B：短い職場音声で目的・要点・次の行動を見つける方法

この記事が向いている人

サンプルページを開く

単語カード

会話

文の形

追加の練習

Model the strategy before practice

Choose and justify with evidence

Model the strategy before practice

After listening: full transcript

Choose and justify with evidence

Model the strategy before practice

After listening: full transcript

Choose and justify with evidence

Use the strategy in a new exchange

Part Bでは何をするのか

話題は目的ではない

要点と、背景・例・安心させる言葉

最初の手順、条件、例外

聞いてみよう：同僚は何をすべきか

Part Bのよくある間違い

15分のPart Bルーティン

次のステップ

よくある質問

次の練習を探す

次は何をしましょうか？

Flaiで練習を続けよう

ライブの先生と学ぶ