Table of Contents
IELTS Speaking Part 1 Topic Singing
Sample Answer 1
1. Do you like singing? Why?
Yeah, I think I do, even though I’m not really good at it. I mean, I’m tone deaf. I can’t catch the tunes for the sounds I’m very familiar with, and I don’t remember the lyrics very well either. But you know what? I still find myself humming and singing whenever the mood strikes. I can’t really put my finger on why, but maybe it’s just one of those quirks we all share. Funny thing is, I’ve noticed a lot of people singing away without even realizing it. It’s just like a natural response, I guess.
2. Have you ever learned how to sing?
Well, I guess I have, but that was way back when I was in primary school. We used to have music classes where the teacher would teach us some basic songs. She’d be there playing the piano, and we’d all join in singing along. It was a lot of fun. But I never pursued singing beyond that because I didn’t see the point. It’s not like I’m gonna perform for a live audience or anything. Mostly, I just sing to myself for fun. I never felt a strong need to polish up my singing skills.
3. Who do you want to sing for?
I’m not really aiming for an audience. Singing to myself is enough for me, at least for now. Like I mentioned earlier, I’m not a good singer. So whenever I do sing, if I happen to notice my roommates or anyone else tuning in, I usually just stop. It’s not about fearing judgment or anything. I just don’t want to put them through my lousy singing. They deserve better.
4. Do you think singing can bring happiness to people?
Singing can definitely uplift people with positive lyrics and also upbeat tunes. But you know, on second thought, if people sing some sad songs, the kind that reminds them of their own stories like tough breakups or failures in life, it might not exactly bring happiness. In fact, it could make them feel more gloomy. That’s probably why a lot of people like to listen to such music and sing to it, especially at night when it’s all quiet. It’s like they want to immerse themselves in their own world and be sentimental about it.
| Word / Phrase | CEFR | Type | Definition | Example Sentence |
| tone deaf | B2 | Adjective | Unable to distinguish differences in musical pitch; unable to sing in tune | He admits he is completely tone deaf but still enjoys singing along to his favourite songs. |
| whenever the mood strikes | B2 | Phrase | Whenever one feels like doing something; at whatever moment the desire or impulse arises | She picks up her guitar and plays whenever the mood strikes, without any fixed practice schedule. |
| put my finger on | B2 | Phrase | To identify or explain the exact reason, cause, or nature of something | There is something off about the melody, but I cannot quite put my finger on what it is. |
| quirks | B2 | Noun | Unusual or distinctive habits, traits, or behaviours that are characteristic of a person | Singing to yourself without noticing is one of those endearing quirks that most people share. |
| perform for a live audience | B2 | Phrase | To sing, play, or act in front of a group of people who are physically present | She practises daily because she hopes to one day perform for a live audience at a concert. |
| polish up my singing skills | B2 | Collocation | To improve and refine one’s singing ability through practice and effort | He took vocal lessons over the summer to polish up his singing skills before the audition. |
| put them through | B2 | Phrasal verb | To cause someone to experience something unpleasant or difficult | She stopped singing in public because she did not want to put her friends through her off-key performance. |
| lousy | B2 | Adjective | Very poor or bad in quality; used informally to express that something is of a low standard | He laughed and admitted his lousy singing was something only a very patient listener could endure. |
| uplift | B2 | Verb | To make someone feel happier, more positive, or emotionally elevated | Music with cheerful melodies and positive lyrics has the power to uplift even the lowest of moods. |
| upbeat | B2 | Adjective | Cheerful, optimistic, and lively in tone or character; positive and energetic | She prefers upbeat songs in the morning because they help her start the day with energy and enthusiasm. |
| on second thought | B2 | Phrase | After reconsidering; used when revising or qualifying a previous statement or opinion | He said singing always brings joy — but on second thought, it depends on the kind of song you choose. |
| gloomy | B2 | Adjective | Feeling sad, depressed, or pessimistic; dark and without cheer | Sad songs about loss can sometimes make people feel more gloomy rather than comforted. |
| sentimental | B2 | Adjective | Having or expressing tender emotions, nostalgia, or sadness connected to personal memories or feelings | Late at night she would sing old songs and allow herself to feel sentimental about the past. |
| immerse themselves in | C1 | Phrase | To become deeply and completely absorbed in an experience, activity, or emotional state | Some people sing melancholic songs at night because they want to immerse themselves in their feelings. |
Sample Answer 2
1. Do you like singing? Why?
Yes, I like singing. It is a pastime as well as a mechanism for me to experience emotions. The excitement of performing in front of others or sing with people I love makes me smile wider.
2. Have you ever learned how to sing?
Honestly, l’ve never learnt how to sing systematically, but I did have music lessons
and l even learned some catchy nursery rhymes when I was younger, but I didn’t take it seriously.
3. Who do you want to sing for?
This is embarrassing. I usually sing to myself and I enjoy the feeling of goodness, but I do sing for my younger sister sometimes as I get her to sleep. These days I learned a new song called Father in Chinese and I want to sing it for my dad.
4. Do you think singing can bring happiness to people?
Sure. We all listen to music, and if we happened on a great tune, we listen to it over and over again, or even sing along with it. Singing makes people forget worries and reminds people of happier times.
| Word / Phrase | CEFR | Type | Definition | Example Sentence |
| pastime | B2 | Noun | A hobby or activity done for enjoyment during leisure time | Singing is a favourite pastime for her — she does it whenever she has free time. |
| mechanism | C1 | Noun | A method, system, or process through which something is achieved or experienced | For her, singing acts as a natural mechanism for processing and expressing a wide range of emotions. |
| performing in front of others | B2 | Phrase | Singing, playing, or acting for an audience; presenting one’s talent to people who are watching | The excitement of performing in front of others is what motivates him to keep practising every day. |
| catchy | B2 | Adjective | Instantly appealing and easy to remember; sticking in the mind effortlessly | The nursery rhymes they learned in primary school were so catchy that she still remembers them today. |
| take it seriously | B2 | Phrase | To treat something as important and invest genuine effort or commitment into it | She enjoyed singing as a child but never took it seriously until she joined a school choir. |
| sing to myself | B2 | Phrase | To sing quietly for one’s own enjoyment without the intention of being heard by others | He tends to sing to himself while cooking — it is his way of unwinding after a long day. |
| over and over again | B2 | Phrase | Repeatedly; many times in succession without stopping | When she finds a song she loves, she plays it over and over again until she knows every word. |
| forget their worries | B2 | Collocation | To stop thinking about problems or stressful matters; to feel free from anxiety temporarily | Music and singing give people a wonderful way to forget their worries and enjoy the moment. |
| reminds them of happier times | B2 | Phrase | To bring back memories of past moments that were pleasant, joyful, or meaningful | Old songs often remind people of happier times in their lives, such as childhood or special occasions. |
Sample Answer 3
1. Do you like singing? Why?
No… Although I really love listening to music, I just can’t carry a tune. Sadly, I don’t have a good singing voice either. People always laugh at me when they hear me sing.
2. Have you ever learned how to sing?
Well, I have taken a few formal singing lessons, but I never ended up learning to sing properly.
In my mind’s eye, I’m a popstar with chart-topping hits and thousands of followers. But that couldn’t be further from the truth! In reality, my singing abilities are, to be honest, non-existent.
During my first singing lesson, my teacher said, “I could teach a piano leg to sing!” Well, after a few lessons with me, she quickly changed her tune! It was incredibly frustrating for me to hear the perfect song in my head, only to come out of my mouth unrecognisable.
So, I can only image how awful it was for my poor singing teacher! The moment I told her I was leaving must have been music to her ears.
3. Who do you want to sing for?
Nobody… People always laugh at me when they hear me sing. I only sing when no one is around, mostly in the shower.
4. Do you think singing can bring happiness to people?
Yes, without a doubt. My grandmother used to sing while cooking or cleaning the house, which created a light and cheerful atmosphere at home. It made her – and everyone around her – joyful and easy-going.
She was my role model at the time, so that’s probably a big reason why I started singing. I imagine that for professional singers and musicians, it’s even more uplifting to sing, because they are following their passion and living the dream. So, it’s easy to see that singing can make people happy.
Sample Answer 3
1. Do you like singing? Why?
Yeah, I like singing. I always can’t help singing when I take a shower. Well, I mean singing is indeed a suitable way to express one’s feelings. If someone broke up with his partner, he will sing sad love songs all night.
And some excellent singers can touch the bottom of my heart by singing. But to be honest, I’m not so good at singing. I can’t find the pitch precisely. So, I really seldom sing in public.
2. Have you ever learned how to sing?
No, I never learned to sing. Cause singing is just entertainment to me. I only sing when I go to karaoke with my friends or in the bathroom. So, there is indeed no need for me to learn how to sing. Anyway, I’m not a professional singer and I never want to be. Actually, there was a chance for me to learn singing in the music class in my high school. But I chose to learn how to play the ukulele.
3. Who do you want to sing for?
You know, that’s quite romantic to some extent. I’ll sing a sweet and slow love song for her. There are a bunch of amazing love songs. Maybe I’ll choose Justin’s song. And I prefer to sing for her on a special day, like her birthday or Valentine’s Day.
4. Do you think singing can bring happiness to people?
Well, it depends. It depends on the singer’s singing level. If your friend is a poor singer who persists to sing all the time, that will be a disaster. But generally speaking, I believe that singing is a fabulous art, which can convey feelings and emotions to listeners. If it is a happy song, it will definitely bring happiness to people. But if it is a sad song, it may trigger off people’s unpleasant memories.
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Credits
Image : Photo by Kyle Smith on Unsplash
