Similar to describe a memorable experience you had during a festival, talking about songs and memories is a common topic in IELTS Speaking tests. This topic allows candidates to demonstrate their ability to describe emotions, experiences, and personal connections.
IELTS Speaking Test examiner interviewing candidate
Part 1: Introduction and Interview Questions
Common questions include:
- Do you often listen to music?
- What kind of music do you prefer?
- How do you usually listen to music?
Sample answer (Band 8-9):
“I’m absolutely passionate about music and listen to it religiously every day. I particularly gravitate towards indie rock and alternative genres because they tend to be more thought-provoking and emotionally resonant. I primarily use streaming services like Spotify, which allows me to curate personalized playlists for different moods and occasions.”
Part 2: Cue Card
Describe a song that you associate with a happy memory.
You should say:
- What the song is
- When you first heard it
- What memory it is connected to
- And explain why this song makes you happy
Sample Answer (Band 8-9):
“I’d like to talk about ‘Here Comes the Sun’ by The Beatles, which invariably brings back wonderful memories of my graduation day. I first encountered this masterpiece during my final year of university when my roommate would play it every morning to lift our spirits.
The song became inextricably linked with my graduation ceremony because it was playing in my earphones as I walked to the venue. The weather that day was absolutely magnificent – bright sunshine streaming through the clouds, perfectly mirroring the song’s optimistic message.
What makes this song particularly special is how it encapsulates that sense of achievement and new beginnings. The lyrics about the long winter being over resonated deeply with my feelings about completing my studies. Whenever I hear those opening guitar notes, I’m instantly transported back to that moment of pure joy and accomplishment.
This song never fails to put a smile on my face because it symbolizes such a significant milestone in my life. It’s become my personal anthem for overcoming challenges, much like describe a memory from your childhood that makes you smile.”
Part 3: Discussion Questions
Q1: How do songs help people remember special moments?
Sample answer (Band 8-9):
“Songs have this remarkable ability to act as emotional anchors, triggering specific neural pathways that connect to our memories. They can instantaneously transport us back to significant moments in our lives, much like describe a song that brings back special memories. The combination of melody, rhythm, and lyrics creates a multi-sensory experience that becomes deeply embedded in our memory.”
Q2: Why do different generations prefer different types of music?
Sample answer (Band 8-9):
“Each generation’s musical preferences are profoundly influenced by their social and cultural context. The music people listen to during their formative years tends to shape their aesthetic sensibilities and become a fundamental part of their identity. Additionally, technological advances in music production and distribution significantly impact how different generations consume and relate to music.”
Key Vocabulary and Expressions
- Evoke memories /ɪˈvəʊk/ (v): to bring a memory, feeling, or image into the mind
- Nostalgic /nɒˈstældʒɪk/ (adj): feeling happy and slightly sad when thinking about things that happened in the past
- Soundtrack to my life (idiom): music that represents different periods or events in one’s life
- Resonates with (phrasal verb): to have particular meaning or importance for someone
- Timeless classic (collocation): something that continues to be popular or admired over a long period
IELTS vocabulary related to music and memories
Remember to use these expressions naturally and appropriately during your speaking test to demonstrate your language proficiency.
