A favourite song, a live concert, an instrument you play or would like to learn: music is a popular topic in IELTS Speaking Part 2, and it comes up in Part 1 too.
You do not need to know anything about music theory. The examiner wants to hear about your experience: when you listen, how a song makes you feel, what a concert was like. Below you will find four music cue cards with band 7+ sample answers, useful vocabulary, and typical Part 1 and Part 3 questions about music.
You get a cue card and 1 minute to make notes. Then you speak for 1 to 2 minutes. Cover every point on the card, add a short example or story, and finish with the “explain” part.
Music cue cards with sample answers
Describe a song that is special to you.
You should say:
- what the song is
- when you first heard it
- what it is about
and explain why it is special to you.
Sample Answer:
A song that is really special to me is “Here Comes the Sun” by the Beatles. I first heard it when I was about eight, on a long car journey with my family, because it was on one of my dad’s favourite albums.
It is a short, simple song about the end of a long, cold winter and the feeling of the sun finally coming back. The guitar at the beginning is very gentle, and the whole song sounds hopeful and warm.
It is special to me because it is connected with my family and with happy summers. Even now, whenever I hear it, I remember sitting in the back of the car singing along with my sister. I also play it to myself when I am going through a difficult time, because it reminds me that bad periods do not last forever.
Describe a concert or live performance you went to.
You should say:
- who was performing
- where and when it was
- who you went with
and explain how you felt about it.
Sample Answer:
The best concert I have ever been to was an open-air performance by a jazz band at a summer festival in my city about two years ago. I went with three friends from work.
It took place in a park next to the river, and the stage was surrounded by trees with small lights hanging from them. We arrived early, had a picnic on the grass and then listened to the band play for almost two hours as the sun went down. At the end, the whole audience was dancing, even people who obviously did not usually dance.
I felt completely relaxed and happy. I am not a big jazz fan, so I was not expecting much, but the atmosphere was wonderful. It made me realise that live music is a completely different experience from listening on headphones, and since then I have tried to go to at least one concert every summer.
Describe a musical instrument you would like to learn to play.
You should say:
- what the instrument is
- how you would learn it
- how difficult it would be
and explain why you would like to learn it.
Sample Answer:
An instrument I have always wanted to learn is the piano. My grandmother had an old upright piano in her living room, and as a child I used to sit at it and try to play simple tunes by ear.
If I started now, I think I would take lessons from a private teacher once a week, at least for the first year, because I would need someone to correct my technique. Between lessons I would practise at home on an electric keyboard, which is cheaper and does not disturb the neighbours.
I know it would be quite difficult, especially learning to read music and using both hands at the same time. But I would like to learn because the piano can play almost any kind of music, from classical to pop. I also think it would be a great way to switch off after a day in front of a computer.
Describe a singer or band you like.
You should say:
- who they are
- what kind of music they play
- how you found out about them
and explain why you like them.
Sample Answer:
A singer I really like is Adele, the British singer-songwriter. I first heard her about ten years ago, when one of her songs was playing in a café and I had to ask the waiter what it was.
She mostly sings slow, emotional songs, often about love and relationships, with simple arrangements, usually just a piano and her voice. Her voice is very powerful but she also sings quietly and gently when the song needs it.
I like her because her songs feel honest. She writes about her own life, and you can hear that she means every word. I also admire the fact that she has stayed quite private and down-to-earth despite being so famous. Whenever I need to concentrate on a long task, I often put one of her albums on in the background.
Useful music vocabulary for IELTS
Try to replace basic words like “song”, “nice” and “listen” with more precise vocabulary:
| Topic | Words and phrases |
|---|---|
| Types of music | pop, rock, jazz, classical music, folk music, hip hop, electronic music, a soundtrack |
| Listening | to stream music, a playlist, to have music on in the background, to be stuck in my head, catchy |
| Live music | a gig, a concert, a music festival, a live performance, the atmosphere, a crowd, to sing along |
| Playing | to play by ear, to read music, to practise scales, a musician, a band, a choir, to be tone-deaf |
| Feelings | uplifting, moving, relaxing, nostalgic, it brings back memories, it gives me goosebumps |
IELTS Speaking Part 1: music questions
Part 1 questions are short and personal. Give a direct answer and add one reason or example.
1What kind of music do you like?
I mostly listen to indie pop and some older rock. It depends on my mood, though. When I am studying, I prefer music without lyrics.
2When do you usually listen to music?
Mainly on my way to work and when I am cooking. I almost always have something playing in the kitchen.
3Did you learn to play an instrument as a child?
Yes, I had guitar lessons for a couple of years, but I gave up when I was about twelve. I regret it a bit now.
4Do you prefer listening to music alone or with other people?
Usually alone, with headphones. But for live music I prefer going with friends, because sharing the experience is half the fun.
IELTS Speaking Part 3: questions about music and culture
New to Part 3? See how to give band 7+ answers in Speaking Part 3, with simple and stronger answers compared.
In Part 3 the examiner asks about music in general. Give longer answers with reasons, examples and both sides of the argument.
1Should children learn to play a musical instrument at school?
I think it is a very good idea. Learning an instrument develops concentration, patience and coordination, and some research suggests it can help with other subjects too. It also gives children who are not strong academically a chance to shine. The difficulty is cost, since instruments and specialist teachers are expensive for schools.
2How has technology changed the way people listen to music?
Completely. Thanks to streaming, people can listen to almost any song ever recorded for a small monthly fee, or even for free. That is wonderful for discovering new music. On the other hand, many people now listen to music in the background rather than really paying attention, and many musicians earn very little from streaming.
3Why is traditional music less popular among young people?
Mainly because young people are surrounded by global pop music on social media and streaming services, so traditional music can seem old-fashioned. However, I have noticed that some young musicians are now mixing traditional songs with modern styles, which is helping to make them popular again.
Practise on your own
Choose one of the cue cards above, set a timer for 1 minute to make notes, and then record yourself speaking for 2 minutes. Listen back and check whether you covered every point and used some of the vocabulary from this page. For more topics, see IELTS Speaking Part 2 topics and cue cards with answers.