Topic Vocabulary >> Lesson 16: Music
In the IELTS Speaking exam you may be asked questions about the music you listen to or instruments you play. Read the following IELTS-style questions and answers below and pay attention to the phrases in bold. Use the ‘Definitions’ section at the bottom of the page to check the meaning of any phrases you don’t understand.
Part 1-style questions
Examiner: What kind of music do you listen to?
Katherine: I’m a big fan of classical music … it doesn’t make me very popular with my children … their taste in music is completely different … they always want to listen to their favourite rock bands …
Examiner: Do you play any instruments?
Jamie: No I don’t … I’ve always wished I’d taken up a musical instrument … I’d love to be able to play the guitar … but I think I’m a bit tone deaf so perhaps I’d find it hard …
Examiner: Have you got any hobbies or interests?
Marco: I’m really into live music … I go to a lot of music festivals … I think a live performance always sounds more exciting than a recorded version … as long as the performers can sing and play well of course …
Part 2-style task
Describe a song you like to listen to. You should say
- what the piece of music is called
- how long you have liked it
- when you like to listen to it
and say why you like it so much.
Millie: Well … I’m a little older than most students and when I was young Abba the Swedish pop group were very famous … I don’t think it was cool to like them even though they had a huge following but I think now people have realised what wonderful songs they wrote … one piece of music in particular is called ‘Slipping through my fingers’ … it wasn’t a massive hit but I love it … it’s a song for parents and it’s all about how quickly our children grow up … it’s a slow number and like a lot of their songs it’s a very catchy tune … the two women in Abba had great voices and it’s the kind of music you can also sing along to easily … even if you don’t have a great voice … I listen to Abba when I feel like a sing-song … and I especially like to listen when I’m doing the housework … it stops me thinking about the hard work …
Part 3-style questions
Examiner: Is the Internet a good or bad thing for the music industry?
Thomas: On the one hand it’s good for marketing new musical talent or particular bands but it’s so easy to share and download tracks for free I think it is costing the industry a lot of money …
Examiner: Should music be treated as seriously as subjects like maths or sciences at school?
Carla: I think it should … I don’t think it should be taught in a boring way … I mean making children read music … but I do think they should be encouraged to play instruments and to play things by ear perhaps … to keep the lessons fun …
Examiner: Where do people usually enjoy listening to music?
Sally: In lots of ways or places … as background music when they are doing something else … at concerts when a band goes on tour … or in clubs or discos …
Definitions
- adoring fans: people who love a particular band or singer
- background music: music that is played while something else is happening
- a catchy tune: a song that is easy to remember and makes you want to sing it
- classical music: music that is regarded as part of a long, formal tradition
- to download tracks: to obtain music from the Internet
- to have a great voice: to sing well
- to go on tour: to go on a planned series of performances around a region or country
- a huge following: a large number of fans
- live music: music that is listened to while it is performed (not recorded)
- live performance: (see live music)
- a massive hit: a record that sells lots of copies
- a music festival: music performances at a venue often over several days
- musical talent: skilled at music
- to be/sing out of tune: to not be in harmony/to sing the wrong notes
- a piece of music: an item of music
- to play by ear: to play without reading the musical notes
- a pop group: a small group of people who play or sing pop music together
- to read music: to understand and follow written musical notes
- a rock band: a group of musicians that play rock music
- to sing along to: to join in singing
- a sing-song: to sing informally, often with other people
- a slow number: a song with a slow tempo
- to take up a musical instrument: to begin learning a musical instrument
- taste in music: the music someone likes
- to be tone deaf: to be unable to distinguish the different notes in music
Next Step? Test yourself on topic vocabulary. Sign up to IELTS Speaking: Advanced for vocabulary tests and whole lot more!
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What kind of music do you like to listen to?
I really a big fan of music especially country music. It’s really touch deep in your soul. Like you listen a story of their life, so emotional, so real…
What was the first piece of music you ever bought? I a kind of bought guitar, i used to play it but i can’t do it right now, it flow somewhere out of my mind.
Is the Internet a good or bad thing for the music industry? avery things have 2 side. Internet make marketing so easy but the same time it make money down cause rarely people pay for something when they can find it on the internet.
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Native speakers always have plus point in case of their pronunciation, accent and fluency,but some good books and practice enables a person to build confidence in speaking. The most obvious way to speak better is to listen native speakers and try imbibe their attitude towards saying something differently. So if you want to speak better you have to be a good listener. Good luck.
i am a adoring fan of underground music. it has just appeared some year ago in my country, but it really has attracted a huge of young people like me. my idol is son tung mtp. his is the most famous singer now. i love all songs he sang. i rote them and i really like to listen them when i take a bath. this make me relax and forget all things after a day. one of piece of music i like is yesterday’s you. that is really a catchy tunes. i truth everyone can rote just the first time to listen it and love it so much. a part of underground style, i also love electric music, remix. but i just listen live performance. because music’s quality is high. and i can feel it completely.
I love listening to sentimental song. Particularly from the album, in the lonely hour by, 3 grammy award winner SamSmith. One of my favourite song is”lay me down”. its a kind of song for your loved ones and its all about wish to be there when your beloved one is no more with you. it was a massive hit and i love it. it has got a catchy tune. This kind of music you can sing along to easily even if you do not have great voice. I listen to this song especially when i am far away from my husband.
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what kind of music?
how do like melody music?
Well. I am afraid that i am not a adoring fan of music. But if i have to say, i will choose countryside music. This kind of music has really catchy tune and i can sung along with those songs. I love their melodies, they make me relaxing after a long stress day.
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OVER TO YOU
Use some of the vocabulary above to answer these or any of the other questions on this page.