Topic: Music
Part 1: Introduction and Interview Questions
Directive for Part 1:
- Preparation Time: None (Answer immediately)
- Speaking Time: 4–5 minutes
- Kind of Answer Expected: Short responses with personal experiences or opinions.
Questions:
- Do you enjoy listening to music?
- What kind of music do you usually listen to?
- Do you prefer to listen to music alone or with others?
- Have your music preferences changed over the years?
Sample Answers for Part 1:
- Band 9 (Expert User):
“Yes, I really enjoy listening to music, especially when I’m relaxing or working.
I usually listen to pop and classical music because I find both relaxing and energetic.
I prefer listening to music alone when I need to focus, but I enjoy sharing music with friends when we’re hanging out.
My preferences have changed a lot over the years. When I was younger, I only liked pop, but now I appreciate classical and jazz music as well.” - Reason for Band 9:
- Detailed and fluent responses with clear explanations.
- Sophisticated vocabulary and good variety of sentence structures.
- Ideas are well-developed.
- Band 7 (Good User):
“Yes, I enjoy music, especially when I am stressed.
I mostly listen to rock and a bit of pop music.
I like to listen to music alone, but sometimes with friends too.
My tastes have changed. I used to listen only to pop, but now I like different genres like jazz and rock.” - Reason for Band 7:
- Good response with some detail, though less elaborated.
- Adequate vocabulary and grammar, but less complexity.
- Clear and coherent, but lacks depth.
- Band 5 (Modest User):
“Yes, I like music a lot.
I listen to pop and some rock.
I prefer to listen alone but also with friends sometimes.
My taste has changed a bit, but I still like pop.” - Reason for Band 5:
- Simple answers with basic vocabulary.
- Limited development of ideas.
- Frequent minor grammar errors.
Part 2: Cue Card
Directive for Part 2:
- Preparation Time: 1 minute
- Speaking Time: 2 minutes
- Kind of Answer Expected: A detailed and well-organized response with clear personal examples.
Cue Card:
Describe a live music performance you have attended.
You should say:
- Where and when it was
- What type of music was performed
- Who you went with
- And explain what you enjoyed about the performance.
Sample Answers for Part 2:
- Band 9 (Expert User):
“A few years ago, I attended a live classical music concert at the Royal Opera House in London. It was a performance of Beethoven’s 9th Symphony, which was conducted by a world-renowned conductor. I went with my best friend, who also enjoys classical music. The atmosphere was electric, and I felt the passion and intensity of the orchestra’s performance. The live music brought a depth to the symphony that you can’t experience in recordings. The whole experience was truly unforgettable, especially because of the powerful music and the majestic setting.” - Reason for Band 9:
- Fully developed and clear response.
- Rich vocabulary and precise details.
- Well-structured and fluent delivery.
- Band 7 (Good User):
“I went to a rock concert last year with some friends. It was at a large stadium in my city. The band was amazing, and they played songs I really liked. We had great seats, and the crowd was very lively. I enjoyed the energy and the excitement of the performance. It was a great way to spend time with friends, and I would definitely go again.” - Reason for Band 7:
- Good response with relevant details, but a little more general.
- Clear and coherent, though lacks some sophistication in language.
- Some minor vocabulary limitations.
- Band 5 (Modest User):
“I saw a concert last year. It was a pop music performance. I went with my friends, and we had a fun time. The music was good, and the crowd was happy. I liked the concert because it was very loud and exciting.” - Reason for Band 5:
- Simple response with minimal details.
- Basic vocabulary, and the answer lacks development.
- Lacks complexity and elaboration.
Part 3: Discussion Questions
Directive for Part 3:
- Preparation Time: None (Answer immediately)
- Speaking Time: 4–5 minutes
- Kind of Answer Expected: Longer, more detailed answers with explanation, opinion, and examples.
Questions:
- What role does music play in people’s lives?
- Do you think music is an important part of cultural identity? Why or why not?
- How do you think the way people listen to music has changed over the years?
Sample Answers for Part 3:
- Band 9 (Expert User):
“Music is a huge part of life for many people. It’s a way to relax, express emotions, and even connect with others. Music can lift moods, reduce stress, and bring people together in social situations.
Music is deeply tied to cultural identity, as it reflects the traditions and values of a particular group. For example, traditional folk music often tells stories of a nation’s history.
The way people listen to music has changed significantly with technology. In the past, people listened to music on radios or CDs, but now it’s all about streaming services and personal devices. This has made music more accessible, but also less physical in the sense of owning albums or attending concerts.” - Reason for Band 9:
- Clear, well-structured, and detailed answers.
- Use of advanced vocabulary and varied sentence structures.
- Fluent, fully developed responses.
- Band 7 (Good User):
“Music plays a big role in people’s lives. It can relax people, help them concentrate, or even give them energy.
I think music is important for cultural identity because it represents a culture’s values and history. For example, certain instruments and melodies are unique to different countries.
The way people listen to music has changed because of technology. People now use streaming apps on their phones instead of buying CDs or listening to the radio.” - Reason for Band 7:
- Mostly clear and relevant answers with adequate details.
- Some variety in sentence structures, but could be more developed.
- Slight grammatical errors but generally good control.
- Band 5 (Modest User):
“Music is very important for people. It helps them feel happy or sad.
Music shows culture because each country has different music.
People listen to music in different ways now, like on their phones with apps.” - Reason for Band 5:
- Simple answers with basic details.
- Limited vocabulary and grammar.
- Responses are brief and lack depth.