Describe a type of music that you enjoy listening to
Try the card on the exam timer first, then read the band-8 sample answer and the Part 3 questions that follow it.
Practice it like the exam
Describe a type of music that you enjoy listening to.
You should say:
- what type of music it is
- when and where you listen to it
- who introduced you to it
and explain why you enjoy it.
Ready
1 minute to prepare, then 2 minutes to speak. It switches on its own.
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Band 8 sample answer
264 words · about 2 minutes at a natural pace · Phrases from the vocabulary list are highlighted.
The type of music I enjoy most is jazz. I've been listening to it for about four years, and I now have a playlist of over two hundred tracks that I play almost every day.
I discovered it through my older cousin, who plays the saxophone in a small band. One evening he took me to a tiny club in the city centre where his group was performing, and I was completely taken by the atmosphere: the dim lights, the smell of coffee, and the way the musicians seemed to speak to each other without words, improvising as they went along. After that night, I started exploring on my own, beginning with famous names like Miles Davis and Ella Fitzgerald, and gradually moving to more modern artists.
Nowadays I usually listen when I'm studying or cooking, since it makes excellent relaxing background music, and the lack of lyrics means it doesn't distract me from my reading. I also put it on in the evening when I want to unwind. It gets me in the mood for creative work and helps me think more clearly.
There are several reasons why I like it. Firstly, I admire how unpredictable it is. Each performance is slightly different, so I never get bored. Secondly, some jazz melodies are really moving, and a slow trumpet solo can calm me down within minutes. Finally, it makes me feel more sophisticated, which is a bit silly, but true! I have a soft spot for it, and I'd love to learn to play the piano properly so that I can join in.
What to notice
- It takes the points on the card in order, so the examiner can follow it.
- Each point gets a specific detail or a short story, which is what keeps a talk going for two minutes.
- The "explain" line at the end gets the most time, because that is where you give an opinion and show your range of language.
We wrote this answer for practice; it does not come from IELTS. Take its structure and phrases and tell your own story, because examiners notice memorised answers.
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Useful vocabulary
| Phrase | Meaning |
|---|---|
| a genre | a type or category of music |
| relaxing background music | calm music that plays quietly |
| a playlist | a list of songs saved together |
| have a soft spot for | like something a lot |
| gets me in the mood | puts me in the right frame of mind |
| a moving melody | a tune that stirs strong emotions |
Plan it in one minute
Choose what to talk about in the first ten seconds, then write two or three key words for each point. Full sentences take too long to write and to read back.
Who or what you could talk about
- Classical or instrumental music for studying
- Pop or rock you listen to with friends
- Traditional or folk music from your region
How to spend the two minutes
- 25 swhat type of music it is
- 25 swhen and where you listen to it
- 25 swho introduced you to it
- 45 sand explain why you enjoy it.
Part 3 questions
In the exam these come straight after your talk, on the wider subject: Music and culture. Answer each in 3–4 sentences, with your view, a reason and an example.
- Do you think traditional music is still important in modern society?
- Why do people often like the music they listened to as teenagers?
- Can music be used to learn languages?
- Should live music concerts be cheaper?
- How does music bring different cultures closer?
Keep practicing
More cue cards: Books, films and media
- Describe a documentary that you have watched
- Describe a television programme or video series about science or technology that you found interesting
- Describe a computer or video game that you enjoyed playing
- Describe a mobile phone app that you use a lot
- Describe a television programme that your family likes to watch together
- Describe a website that you often use
Part 1 topics on the same subject
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Do not retell the whole plot. Give the title and what it is about in two sentences, then spend your time on one part you remember and why it affected you. Your opinion is what fills the two minutes.
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