Assuming one has keen hearing, can the electic fuel pump on a 1990 Toyota Corolla with the 4AFE engine be heard after turning on ignition, but prior to starting the vehicle?

hummmmm ok just check to see if there is 12 volts back there at the pump....so.....you can hear it if it is buildind/pushing/gas/ pressure....

If it is quiet, yes you can. Some fuel pumps are louder than others. Get down by the gas tank and have someone turn the key.

It turns off after a few seconds, if your turning it on and off listening before pressure falls back down and you did not hear it the first time it may be a while before you hear it again. You can do a fuel pressure check/test though.