Part 1
Giám khảo
Do you prefer sad or happy music?
Thí sinh
I prefer sad music since I'm a bit of sentimental person. Usually it brings me nostalgic feelings. However, I also like happy music just to boost up my mood. Both are good and great, especially during out of concerts. I'm a fan of concerts.
Giám khảo
Does happy music make you feel more excited?
Thí sinh
Yes, happy music makes me feel excited and leaves my mood really easily. Happy music gives me the strength during hard times and just to vibe with it. And I'll actually brings out a lot of fun during Rd. trips, concerts and parties.
Giám khảo
Have you taken any music classes?
Thí sinh
No, but if you can consider the piano lesson I took when I was 6 then maybe yes, but I didn't actually finish it since I'm kind of not a fan of piano. But I do appreciate piano as an instrument but I don't have the passion for it.
Giám khảo
Do you listen to music while doing other things?
Thí sinh
Yes I do, I love listening to music while doing my work, some chores for studying or even driving. I really love music since it really accompanies me since I'm usually alone. Additionally, I'm an only child so it gives me a sense of comfort.
Do you prefer sad or happy music?
Điểm: 68.0Gợi ý: Improve grammatical accuracy and clarity, avoid redundancy, and keep answers concise (max 4–5 sentences). Start with a clear topic sentence, then give 1–2 specific supporting details using linking words. Correct collocations (e.g., "a bit sentimental", "outside of concerts").
Ví dụ: I usually prefer sad music because I am a bit sentimental and it often evokes nostalgic memories. However, I also enjoy upbeat songs to lift my mood, for example when I go to outdoor concerts. Overall, both types suit different situations for me.
Does happy music make you feel more excited?
Điểm: 60.0Gợi ý: Fix grammar and awkward phrases, be specific about effects, and use linking words (e.g., "because", "for example"). Avoid vague expressions like "leaves my mood" and abbreviations. Keep it to 3–4 sentences and include a concrete example.
Ví dụ: Yes, happy music definitely makes me feel more excited because its lively rhythm lifts my energy. For example, upbeat songs help me stay cheerful on road trips and make concerts or parties more fun. They also motivate me during difficult days.
Have you taken any music classes?
Điểm: 72.0Gợi ý: Be direct and concise: start with a clear yes/no, then add one specific detail. Correct tense and repetition (avoid saying "but" too often). Use linking words for clarity (e.g., "although", "however").
Ví dụ: No, I haven't taken formal music classes, although I had piano lessons when I was six. I didn't continue because I wasn't passionate about the instrument, even though I appreciate how it sounds.
Do you listen to music while doing other things?
Điểm: 70.0Gợi ý: Avoid repetition of words like "really" and "since". Make sentences more natural by grouping activities and providing one clear reason. Stay within 3–4 sentences and provide a specific example or detail.
Ví dụ: Yes, I often listen to music while working, doing chores, studying, or driving because it keeps me focused and relaxed. As an only child, music also gives me a sense of company, for example I play mellow playlists when I'm studying alone.
× I prefer sad music since I'm a bit of sentimental person.
✓ I prefer sad music since I'm a bit of a sentimental person.
The sentence is missing the indefinite article 'a' before the noun phrase 'sentimental person'. Use 'a' with singular countable nouns. Suggestion: include 'a' to form 'a sentimental person'.
× Usually it brings me nostalgic feelings.
✓ Usually it brings me feelings of nostalgia.
The phrase 'nostalgic feelings' is understandable but less idiomatic. More natural is 'feelings of nostalgia'. Also 'it brings me nostalgic feelings' has awkward word order; use 'brings me feelings of nostalgia' or 'makes me feel nostalgic'.
× However, I also like happy music just to boost up my mood.
✓ However, I also like happy music just to boost my mood.
The phrasal verb 'boost up' is nonstandard in this context; 'boost' is sufficient. Remove 'up' for natural collocation: 'boost my mood'.
× Both are good and great, especially during out of concerts.
✓ Both are good and great, especially during concerts.
The fragment 'during out of concerts' is ungrammatical. Use the preposition 'during' with 'concerts' or say 'at concerts'. Suggestion: 'especially during concerts' or 'especially at concerts'.
× I'm a fan of concerts.
✓ I'm a fan of concerts.
This sentence is grammatical; no correction needed. It is included to keep one-sentence-per-item structure.
× Yes, happy music makes me feel excited and leaves my mood really easily.
✓ Yes, happy music makes me feel excited and lifts my mood easily.
'Leaves my mood really easily' is incorrect collocation. The intended meaning is that it improves the mood; use 'lifts my mood' or 'brightens my mood'. 'Leaves' is wrong here.
× Happy music gives me the strength during hard times and just to vibe with it.
✓ Happy music gives me strength during hard times and helps me vibe.
Remove 'the' before 'strength' because 'strength' here is uncountable in general sense: 'gives me strength'. Also 'and just to vibe with it' is ungrammatical; use 'and helps me vibe' or 'and lets me just vibe'.
× And I'll actually brings out a lot of fun during Rd. trips, concerts and parties.
✓ And it actually brings out a lot of fun during road trips, concerts, and parties.
There is a subject-verb agreement problem: 'I will actually brings' mixes subjects and forms. If referring to happy music, use 'it brings' (present) or 'it will bring' (future). Also 'Rd.' should be 'road', and include commas in a list. Corrected to 'it actually brings'.
× No, but if you can consider the piano lesson I took when I was 6 then maybe yes, but I didn't actually finish it since I'm kind of not a fan of piano.
✓ No, but if you consider the piano lessons I took when I was six, then maybe yes; I didn't actually finish them since I'm not really a fan of the piano.
Change 'can consider' to 'consider' (conditional with 'if' doesn't need 'can'). Use plural 'lessons' if more than one; if one, 'the piano lesson I took when I was six' is OK. Use 'six' instead of numeral in speech-style. Replace 'I'm kind of not a fan of piano' with 'I'm not really a fan of the piano' for naturalness and correct article use before instruments.
× But I do appreciate piano as an instrument but I don't have the passion for it.
✓ But I do appreciate the piano as an instrument, but I don't have a passion for it.
Use definite article 'the' before 'piano' when speaking about the instrument in general: 'the piano'. Also use 'a passion' rather than 'the passion' to indicate any personal passion.
× Yes I do, I love listening to music while doing my work, some chores for studying or even driving.
✓ Yes, I do. I love listening to music while doing my work, doing chores, studying, or even driving.
The phrase 'some chores for studying' is unclear. Separate activities with parallel gerund forms: 'doing my work, doing chores, studying, or even driving.' Also add comma after 'Yes' and split into two sentences for clarity.
× I really love music since it really accompanies me since I'm usually alone.
✓ I really love music because it accompanies me when I'm usually alone.
Avoid repeating 'since'. Use 'because' for reason and 'when' for time: 'because it accompanies me when I'm usually alone.' Also remove redundant 'really' or keep one for emphasis.
× Additionally, I'm an only child so it gives me a sense of comfort.
✓ Additionally, I'm an only child, so music gives me a sense of comfort.
The pronoun 'it' is ambiguous; specify the subject 'music' to clarify what gives comfort. Also add a comma before 'so' when linking clauses.