- 1What kind of music do you like listening to?
- 2When do you usually listen to music?
- 3Have you ever learnt to play a musical instrument?
- 4Has your taste in music changed since you were younger?
- 5Do you prefer listening to music alone or with friends?
How to answer Part 1 well
- Answer the exact question first, then add one short reason or example.
- Use natural phrases such as "I usually…", "I prefer… because…", "For example…".
- Do not memorise answers: examiners notice, and it lowers fluency.
- Stay on topic; an off-topic answer scores lower even if the English is good.
How to answer these questions
- Name a real type of music or a singer, and say why you like it.
- For "when", give real situations: travelling, studying, tidying your room.
- If you never learnt an instrument, say so honestly and add a short detail ("I always wanted to learn the guitar").
- Use "it depends" for preference questions, then explain both sides briefly.
Model answers
159 words
What kind of music do you like listening to?
Mostly Hindi film songs and a bit of indie pop. I like anything with a catchy tune that I can sing along to, although I’m not very keen on heavy metal.
When do you usually listen to music?
Usually when I’m travelling or doing something boring, like tidying my room. I also put on calm instrumental music when I’m studying, because it helps me focus.
Have you ever learnt to play a musical instrument?
Yes, I learnt the keyboard for about three years when I was at school. I can still play a few simple songs, but I gave up the lessons when exams got more serious, which I sometimes regret.
Has your taste in music changed since you were younger?
Quite a lot, actually. When I was younger I only listened to whatever was popular, but my dad introduced me to older singers like Kishore Kumar, and I enjoy them much more than I expected.
Do you prefer listening to music alone or with friends?
It depends. I prefer listening alone with headphones when I want to relax, but going to a live concert with friends is far more fun, because everyone’s singing together.
Written by Acedmi to show what high-band answers sound like. It is not an official IELTS sample, and your own ideas can be different.
Useful vocabulary
- catchy
- Easy to remember and pleasant.
- “The song has a really catchy tune.”
- sing along to
- Sing with a song as it plays.
- “I love songs I can sing along to.”
- be keen on
- Like or be interested in.
- “I’m not very keen on heavy metal.”
- instrumental
- Music with no singing.
- “Instrumental music helps me focus.”
- put on
- Start playing music.
- “I put on some music while I cook.”
- give up
- Stop doing something.
- “I gave up my lessons when exams started.”
- taste in music
- The kind of music you like.
- “My taste in music has changed a lot.”
- live concert
- A performance you watch in person.
- “A live concert is much more exciting.”
Common mistakes
- Saying "I like all kinds of music." It sounds empty; name one or two and say why.
- Mixing up "hear" and "listen to": you listen to music, and you hear a noise.
- The present perfect with a finished time: "I have learnt the keyboard when I was at school" should be "I learnt the keyboard when I was at school".