Music

Hey everyone, and welcome to IELTS TIME! Today, we’re diving into a super popular Part 1 topic — Music. As always, let’s start by hearing what Joseph has to say.

What kind of music do you like?

Well, I’m really into pop and indie music. I love songs that have catchy melodies but also some meaningful lyrics. Artists like Taylor Swift or Ed Sheeran are my favorites because their music feels personal and relatable. Sometimes, if I’m in the mood to relax, I’ll listen to some lo-fi or acoustic tracks too. Overall, I guess it just depends on my mood, but I definitely enjoy anything that tells a good story.

What musical instruments do you enjoy listening to the most?

I really enjoy listening to the guitar. I think it has such a warm, expressive sound, whether it’s played acoustically or electrically. I also love how versatile it is—you can hear it in so many different styles, from pop and rock to folk music. The piano is another instrument I adore because it can sound both powerful and gentle depending on the song. Overall, I believe both the guitar and the piano have an incredible ability to bring out the emotions in a piece of music.

Do schools in your country have music lessons?

Yes, most schools in my country do have music lessons, especially in primary and secondary schools. Music is part of the curriculum, and students usually get to learn about different types of music as well as how to play simple instruments like the recorder, or start learning more challenging ones like the piano. In some schools, students can join after-school clubs to learn instruments like the guitar, drums, or even join a school band. It’s a great way for kids to explore their creativity and learn teamwork.

Have you ever learned to play a musical instrument?

Yes, I actually learned to play the piano when I was younger. I took lessons for a few years, and I really enjoyed it. It was challenging at times, especially learning to read music and play with both hands, but it was also really rewarding when I could play my favorite songs. I don’t play as much now, but I still appreciate piano music and sometimes try to play a few simple pieces just for fun.

Alright, welcome back, everyone! That was Joseph sharing some really strong sample answers on the topic of music.

Now, let’s take a moment to dive a bit deeper into this topic together.
In Part 1, the goal isn’t to give long, complicated answers. It’s more about keeping things clear, natural, and slightly personal, almost like you’re chatting with a friendly examiner. Showing that you can use a good range of vocabulary, stay relaxed, and share a little about yourself really helps you make a strong impression.

Let’s talk about some useful vocabulary first. When it comes to music, it’s helpful to know a few genre names like pop, rock, jazz, classical, indie, hip-hop, and R&B. Adjectives are also key — words like catchy, relaxing, emotional, upbeat, soothing, and powerful can really bring your answers to life. And of course, if you can throw in some expressions like “I’m really into,” “I have a soft spot for,” or “I can’t get enough of,” it’ll make your speaking sound much more natural and fluent.

Thinking back to Joseph’s answers, let’s walk through how you might approach these questions yourself, depending on your background or interests.

Take the first question, “What kind of music do you like?” If you’re someone who’s really passionate about music, you might say something like, “I’m a huge fan of R&B and soul because the music feels so emotional and smooth. Artists like Alicia Keys really inspire me.” On the other hand, if you’re more casual about music, you could say, “Honestly, I usually just listen to whatever’s popular. If the beat is good and the melody is catchy, I’m happy.”

For the second question, “What musical instruments do you enjoy listening to the most?”, if you know a bit about instruments, you could say something like, “I really enjoy listening to the violin because it has such a rich, emotional sound.” But if you’re not that technical, something simple like, “I love drums — they just add so much energy to a song,” is absolutely fine too.

When it comes to “Do schools in your country have music lessons?”, logically, your answer will depend on your experience. If you went to a school that offered music classes, you might say, “Yes, music lessons are quite common, especially in primary school. Students learn basic instruments and sometimes get to perform in school concerts.” But if music wasn’t really part of your schooling, you could say, “Not really. In my country, music isn’t a big focus at school. Most people learn an instrument outside, through private lessons.”

Finally, for the question, “Have you ever learned to play a musical instrument?”, if you have, you can share a little story, like, “Yes, I learned to play the guitar when I was a teenager. It was difficult at first, but once I could play a few songs, it felt amazing.” And if you haven’t learned one, just be honest — “No, I’ve never learned, but if I had the chance, I’d love to learn the piano because it’s such a beautiful and versatile instrument.”

So you see, it doesn’t matter whether you have deep musical experience or not. What matters is that you answer naturally, stay organized, and use a few good words and phrases to show fluency and expressiveness. You don’t need to overthink it — sometimes simple, genuine answers work best in Part 1.

Okay, that’s it for today’s episode! I hope this breakdown helps you feel a little more confident about handling questions on music — and really, on any Part 1 topic.
Thanks for tuning in — and until next time, keep practicing and keep speaking!