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Reading business emails on the TOEIC
TOEIC Part 7 always includes at least two email or memo passages. The questions test whether you understood the purpose, the key detail, and the implied action. French speakers read too literally — you need to read for intent, not just content.
What TOEIC email questions look like
Not asking what the email says — asking why it was written.
Look at the first sentence and the closing action. "I am writing to inform you..." = purpose is to inform. "Could you please confirm..." = purpose is to request confirmation.
Scan for action verbs directed at the named person: "please send," "kindly confirm," "we would appreciate if you could..."
The answer is usually in the last paragraph.
"Indicated" means the information is stated directly in the text — not implied. Scan for the keyword ("meeting") and read the sentence around it.
Key vocabulary in TOEIC emails
inquire about (se renseigner sur), enclosed / attached (ci-joint), at your earliest convenience (dès que possible), regarding (concernant), be advised that (veuillez noter que), further to (suite à).
Reading strategy
Don't read the full email first. Read the questions, identify the keywords, then scan the email for those keywords. TOEIC emails are designed to waste your time if you read top-to-bottom.
Common mistake
French speakers often choose the answer that restates information from the email without answering the question. If the question asks "Why did Mr. Lee write?" — the answer is the purpose (to request, to inform, to complain), not a detail from the middle of the email.