Sample IELTS Speaking Part 1 Musical instruments

Musical instruments are a new topic that has appeared in the IELTS Speaking predictions. If you encounter the IELTS Speaking Part 1 Musical instruments in your actual exam, how will you handle it to achieve your target band score? Refer to the sample answers scored at band 7.5+ that have been compiled by top-notch teachers at PREP below.

I. The cue card of IELTS Speaking Part 1 Musical instruments

Below, PREP has compiled several sample questions from the IELTS Speaking Part 1 Musical instruments that the examiners may use to assess the candidates' speaking abilities, specifically:

• Have you ever learned to play a musical instrument?

• Which musical instrument do you like listening to most? Why?

• What types of musical instruments do you like to listen to?

• Do you think children should learn to play an instrument at school?

• Do you think music education is important for children?

• How easy would it be to learn to play an instrument without a teacher?

• When do you like to listen to music?

• Have you ever been to a concert before?

• Do you think traditional musical instruments have a place in modern society?

• How do you think traditional music could be made popular?

• If you had a child, what musical instrument would you encourage him/her to play?

II. Sample IELTS Speaking Part 1 Musical instruments

Please refer to the sample answers for the IELTS Speaking Part 1 Musical instruments, scored at band 7.5+, that have been compiled by top-notch teachers at PREP. This will help you effectively prepare for the IELTS Speaking exam at home!

1. Have you ever learned to play a musical instrument?

Uhm, yes but I am just an amateur, I do not go the professional way. My parents were both music lovers, so they encouraged me to take piano class in primary school. Although I found the piano's melodic tones very captivating, in the beginning I struggled to play with both hands and learn a song with chords. After getting familiar with all the notes, sheet music, and fundamental techniques, I had some fun and even gave quite a rousing performance in front of my schoolmates. 

• amateur (n) - a person who engages in a pursuit, especially a sport, on an unpaid basis

• professional (adj) - relating to or denoting a person engaged in a specified activity as one's main paid occupation, rather than as a pastime

• Music lover (n) - a person who enjoys and appreciates music

• Melodic tone (n.phr) - a pleasing or agreeable sequence of musical notes

• Learn a song with chord: to learn a song/piece of music by following the chord progression

• Sheet music (noun): written or printed music, typically on a large page

• Fundamental technique (n.phr): basic skills or methods that are essential to performing a particular activity

• Give a rousing performance: to give an energetic, exciting, and enthusiastic performance 

2. What musical instruments do you enjoy listening to the most?

As an amateur piano player, I certainly have a particular liking for this instrument, especially the extraordinary pieces of music written for piano by Chopin or Liszt, some of the most renowned classical composers. Other than that, I am also fond of standard string instruments such as violin, guitar, viola, or cello because of their emotional depth or very soothing sounds, depending on the piece you play of course. 

• amateur piano player (noun) - a person who plays the piano for pleasure rather than as a profession

• have a particular liking for (verb phrase) - to have a special fondness or preference for something

• extraordinary pieces of music - remarkable, outstanding, or exceptional musical compositions

• renowned (adj) - famous and respected within a particular sphere or profession

• classical composers - composers who wrote music in the European classical music tradition

• standard string instrument (noun) - a common or typical stringed musical instrument, such as a violin, cello, or guitar

• emotional depth - the profound or intense expression of feelings and emotions

• Soothing (adj) - calm, gentle, and relaxing

III. Conclusion

The Virtual Speaking Room (VSR) at PREP - a space that helps you effectively prepare for the IELTS Speaking exam. Why should you practice Speaking with PREP? The reasons are:

• Question Bank: The Virtual Speaking question bank is compiled and regularly updated from actual test questions, as well as predicted questions for the upcoming months and quarters - these have a high chance of appearing again in the real exam. The question bank is continuously updated, covering all the familiar topics, helping students easily memorize the key points for the Speaking test.

• Scoring: The scoring adheres closely to the IELTS Speaking assessment criteria:

  • Fluency & Coherence

  • Pronunciation

  • Lexical Resource

  • Grammatical Range & Accuracy

• Real Exam Environment: The "Exam Room" mode of the VSR creates an environment similar to the actual Speaking test, allowing students to have a genuine experience and get familiarized with the real test standards and procedures. Importantly, students get accustomed to the native-speaker accent of the teachers, helping reduce the anxiety of communicating with native speakers.

• Suitable for All: The Virtual Speaking Room is suitable for various groups - extroverts, introverts, those with more or less available time.

This article provides sample answers for the IELTS Speaking Part 1 Musical instruments, scored at band 7.5+, compiled by top-notch teachers at PREP. Wishing you effective preparation and the achievement of a high band score!