Part 1 · Band 9

What kind of music do you enjoy listening to?

Source-reported band score · 34 words

Sample answer

Well, it actually depends on my overall mood. When I feel over the moon, I prefer listening to pop and jazz. However, when I feel depressed or anxious, I prefer dramatic or classical music.

Answer analysis

Fluency & Coherence

Your answer develops in a clear contrast: it opens with “depends on my overall mood,” then gives a positive-mood choice and contrasts it with choices when you feel “depressed or anxious.” This is coherent and directly relevant. The response is brief, so the reasons behind the choices remain unexplored. Practise a 30-second version: deliver these same three stages, adding one personal reason for each choice without changing the stated preferences.

Lexical Resource

“Over the moon” gives an idiomatic, vivid description, while “depressed or anxious” and “dramatic or classical music” make the contrast clear. The vocabulary fits a conversational Part 1 response and is used naturally. The answer repeats “I prefer” and offers only a small set of music-related terms; these limit the range shown, but are not errors. To extend your answer, add a precise mood-related expression or a reason for one of your preferences.

Grammatical Range & Accuracy

The answer is grammatically controlled: “When I feel over the moon” and “when I feel depressed or anxious” correctly introduce contrasting time or condition clauses, and “However” clearly signals the change in mood. There are no clear grammatical errors in this short sample. The sentence patterns are fairly similar, though. As an optional refinement, vary the second clause structure while keeping the same contrast and meaning.

Pronunciation

This is a text-only sample, so pronunciation cannot be assessed. Use “over the moon” to practise stress on “moon,” and “depressed or anxious” to practise the natural stress in “depressed” and “anxious.” Group the answer into thought units: “When I feel over the moon / I prefer listening to pop and jazz.” Record a 20-second reading and check that the word groups are easy to follow. This practice guide is not an assessment of a recording.

A transcript shows language and organisation. Fluency, delivery and pronunciation require an audio recording; the synthetic voice demonstrates the text, not the original speaker.

  • Practise expanding this answer to about 25–30 seconds by adding one genuine reason for each music choice.
  • Keep the positive-versus-low-mood contrast, but try varying “I prefer” once with a natural alternative such as “I tend to choose.”
  • Record a short reading and check whether your pauses separate the opening mood statement from each contrasting example.

Plan your answer

Try your own response before reading the samples.

Ideas to explore

  • Explain whether you listen to one language of music regularly but prefer another style or language.
  • Mention a real reason for your preference, such as the lyrics, melodies, or connection to your culture.
  • Describe whether you enjoy exploring unfamiliar genres or tend to return to familiar music.

Suggested structure

  1. Name the kind of music you enjoy.
  2. Say how varied your listening habits are.
  3. Explain how your usual listening relates to your favorite kind.
  4. Add one personal reason or detail to develop the answer.
Useful vocabulary & examples
listen to a genre
To play or hear a particular category of music.

I don't listen to many different genres.

English-language music
Music with lyrics in English.

I mostly listen to English-language music.

be talented in
To have skill or ability in a particular area.

Some of my friends are talented in other genres.

my favorite kind of music
The type of music you like best.

Farsi music is my favorite kind of music.

Practise your answer →

Compare answers on this topic

Band 9

I enjoy listening to old Thai songs from about 20 to 30 years ago. I appreciate them because their rhythms are not too heavy or fast. The songs maintain a consistent pace, and t...

Band 8

I don't really stick to a specific genre; it's more about the kind of music I enjoy. It can include anything from pop, rock, indie, to folk. It doesn't really matter as long as...

Band 7

Well, honestly, it depends on my moods or situations. Sometimes I like to listen to sad music, but at other times I also enjoy light and funny music. My favorite kind of music i...

Band 6

Well, in all of the world, I have so many kinds of music, but I like to listen to classical music. When I listen to classical music, I feel my mood becomes much better and I rel...

Band 5

My parents gave me a guitar, and I can play it more conveniently. I prefer to listen to jazz and pop music.

Band 4

I can speak about the kind of music I enjoy listening to. I didn't like listening to different kinds; I only like English music. However, I can't speak with people who have tale...