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IELTS Speaking Part 1

Music: Part 1 questions and answers

Real Part 1 questions about music, as candidates reported them. Play each one, answer it out loud, then open a short Band 7 reply to compare.

Today's topicMusic

  • 4–5 minthe whole part
  • ~12questions
  • ~20 seach answer

Answer, add a reason or an example, then stop. The examiner moves on fast, so short and real wins.

Reported in August 2026

Question 1: What kind of music do you like to listen to?

Open questionAnswer it, then add one detail.

Think of yours first, then see a Band 7 replyHide the reply

AnswerI like listening to Afrobeat and nice R&B, especially when I’m travelling home after work. WhyThe rhythm is nice, and I sometimes get into a song after hearing it twice. ExampleI mean, I don’t follow one singer closely, but last month I heard a song on taxi radio and saved it for later.

Why it's a Band 7

  1. get into a song This natural phrasal verb shows a useful range of everyday language.
  2. The rhythm is nice Nice is vague here; lively or gentle would be more precise.
  3. I mean, I don’t follow I mean is a natural hesitation filler, so the answer sounds less rehearsed.
  4. on taxi radio A missing article: on the taxi radio is correct.
  5. nice R&B A plain choice; mellow R&B would be more precise.

About 21 seconds to say. Part 1 answers sit around 10 to 25.

Question 2: When do you usually listen to music?

Open questionAnswer it, then add one detail.

Think of yours first, then see a Band 7 replyHide the reply

AnswerUsually, I listen music on the bus to work, because the journey takes nearly forty minutes. WhyI keep one earphone in and choose calm tracks, so the morning feels less rushed. ExampleLast Tuesday, I played the same playlist all the way from Ntinda to the city centre, just to tune out the traffic.

Why it's a Band 7

  1. tune out the traffic This precise phrasal verb describes ignoring an unwanted sound.
  2. I listen music A common spoken slip: I listen to music is correct.
  3. I keep one earphone in and choose calm tracks, so The basic linkers and and so make the speech sound natural but not highly polished.

About 21 seconds to say. Part 1 answers sit around 10 to 25.

Take it further: When do you usually listen to music during your day?

Question 3: Has your taste in music changed over the years?

Yes/no questionDon't stop at yes or no. Say why.

Think of yours first, then see a Band 7 replyHide the reply

AnswerYes, it has changed quite a bit since secondary school. WhyI used to prefer loud dance tracks, but now I lean towards acoustic songs because they suit my commute better. ExampleIn 2022, I started saving slower stuff, and I still play them when I need a quieter mood.

Why it's a Band 7

  1. lean towards acoustic songs This collocation expresses a preference naturally and shows good range.
  2. I used to prefer loud dance tracks, but now The simple linker but gives a clear contrast in an everyday way.
  3. suit my commute better Suit is a precise verb for what fits a situation.
  4. slower stuff A plain choice; slower songs would be more precise.

About 19 seconds to say. Part 1 answers sit around 10 to 25.

Question 4: Is your taste in music similar to that of your friends or family?

This or thatPick one and say why.

Think of yours first, then see a Band 7 replyHide the reply

AnswerNot really. WhyI mean, my colleagues enjoy energetic club music, while I’m more into soft guitar, and my sister prefers gospel. We sometimes share recommendation, but I usually stick with my own playlist because it helps me focus. ExampleLast week, my colleague sent me a club track, but I didn’t save it.

Why it's a Band 7

  1. stick with my own playlist This everyday phrasal verb shows a natural way to express continuing a choice.
  2. I mean, my colleagues I mean is a spoken filler that makes the answer less carefully prepared.
  3. while I’m more into soft guitar, and The basic linkers while and and connect ideas simply rather than elegantly.
  4. share recommendation A small slip: share recommendations is correct.

About 21 seconds to say. Part 1 answers sit around 10 to 25.

Question 5: Can music help you concentrate or relax?

Yes/no questionDon't stop at yes or no. Say why.

Think of yours first, then see a Band 7 replyHide the reply

AnswerYes, it helps with both, but only if the music is quiet and familiar. In the evening, I switch off by listening to piano, and in work I sometimes play it while I check spreadsheets and other things. ExampleLast Friday, one slow track helped me finish a report without checking my phone.

Why it's a Band 7

  1. switch off A natural phrasal verb for relaxing after work.
  2. quiet and familiar Two clear, simple words give the exact condition.
  3. spreadsheets and other things Things is vague; documents would be more precise.
  4. in work A preposition slip: at work is correct.

About 21 seconds to say. Part 1 answers sit around 10 to 25.

Question 6: Did you have music lessons at school?

Yes/no questionDon't stop at yes or no. Say why.

Think of yours first, then see a Band 7 replyHide the reply

AnswerYes, I did, although they were fairly basic. We learned recorder in the primary school, and I practised one time a week because our teacher asked us to. ExampleI still remember playing at a small school thing in 2014, but I never really took to it, so I forgot most of the notes afterwards.

Why it's a Band 7

  1. took to it This phrase naturally shows whether someone began to enjoy an activity.
  2. We learned recorder A common spoken slip: We learned the recorder is correct.
  3. primary school, and I practised one time a week because The simple linkers and and because give a clear but basic connection between ideas.
  4. in the primary school An extra word: in primary school is correct.
  5. a small school thing A plain choice; a small school concert would be more precise.
  6. one time a week A plain choice; once a week is the natural phrase.

About 22 seconds to say. Part 1 answers sit around 10 to 25.

Phrases to borrow

get into something

/ɡet ˈɪntə ˈsʌmθɪŋ/

start to enjoy something

I got into jazz during university.

tune out something

/tjuːn aʊt ˈsʌmθɪŋ/

stop paying attention to an unwanted sound

Headphones help me tune out the noise.

lean towards something

/liːn təˈwɔːdz ˈsʌmθɪŋ/

prefer one choice slightly

I usually lean towards lighter meals.

stick with something

/stɪk wɪð ˈsʌmθɪŋ/

continue using or choosing something

I tend to stick with simple routines.

switch off

/swɪtʃ ɒf/

relax and stop thinking about work

I switch off by reading before bed.

take to something

/teɪk tə ˈsʌmθɪŋ/

begin to like something

She took to swimming very quickly.

Fill the gap

Which phrase fits?

Phrases from the answers above. Pick the one that belongs in the gap.

Your turn: answer the examiner

Can music help you concentrate or relax?

Answer, add a reason or an example, then stop: about 20 seconds. Nothing is uploaded.

Want a band score?Sign in free, answer the examiner's Part 1 questions out loud and get one thing to fix.

Practise Part 1

More Part 1 topics

Each question with a short Band 7 reply.

How the IELTS Speaking test works