IELTS Speaking Part 1: Music
4 common Part 1 questions on music, each with a sample answer at the length Part 1 actually wants.
Do you prefer sad or happy music?
It really depends on my mood, but on the whole I lean towards happy, upbeat music. Cheerful songs give me energy and lift my spirits, especially when I'm exercising or need a bit of motivation. That said, I do sometimes enjoy slower, more emotional music when I'm in a reflective mood.
Does happy music make you feel more excited?
Yes, definitely — happy, upbeat music has an almost instant effect on my energy levels. A lively song with a strong beat can turn a dull moment into an enjoyable one and make me feel far more motivated. That's exactly why I always put on cheerful music when I'm working out or tidying the house.
Do you often talk about music with your friends?
Yes, music comes up in conversation with my friends quite often, as it's something we all enjoy. We frequently recommend new songs or artists to each other and share playlists. It's a nice way to bond and to discover music we might not have found on our own.
Is music important in your country?
Yes, music plays a very important role in my country's culture. Traditional music is a big part of our celebrations, weddings and festivals, and people take real pride in it. At the same time, younger generations are hugely into modern pop and international music, so it's woven into everyday life.
Reading a model answer is not the same as saying one. The sample above shows what a strong Part 1 answer sounds like. What it cannot tell you is how yours sounds — whether you hesitate, repeat the question back, or run out of things to say at forty seconds.
You can record an answer to this exact question and get it marked on fluency and coherence, lexical resource, grammatical range and pronunciation — the same four criteria the examiner uses.
Common questions
How long should Part 1 answers be?
Two or three sentences. Part 1 is a warm-up and one-word answers stall the conversation, but a ninety-second speech on your home town is the wrong length too — the examiner has a list of questions to get through.
How long does Part 1 last?
Four to five minutes, covering three familiar topics. Your identity is checked first, then the questions start.
Can I ask the examiner to repeat a question?
Yes, and it costs you nothing. Asking for a repeat is normal conversational English; guessing at a question you misheard and answering the wrong one is far more damaging.
Model answers written and reviewed by The English All-in-One IELTS team. They are teaching models showing what each band looks like, not real candidate scripts.