Part 1
Giám khảo
Do you prefer sad or happy music?
Thí sinh
I prefer both because both has different moods. Both have different pros and cons.
Giám khảo
Does happy music make you feel more excited?
Thí sinh
Yes, happy music, feel me excited, makes me excited, you know, Playful, energetic, lifts my mood up.
Giám khảo
Have you taken any music classes?
Thí sinh
I used to take like keyboard classes. I learned piano, so yeah, I used to take keyboard classes.
Giám khảo
Do you listen to music while doing other things?
Thí sinh
Yes, sometimes, but very rarely. I listen to music. I listen to music on wheels, very playful music. I listen when I'm sad, sad music. I listen when I'm with my friends to vibe together.
Do you prefer sad or happy music?
Điểm: 62.0Gợi ý: Be more direct and natural: state your preference clearly, then briefly explain why with one or two specific differences between sad and happy music. Avoid repetition and grammatical errors (use correct agreement: “have” not “has”). Keep it within 2–3 concise sentences.
Ví dụ: I enjoy both sad and happy music. Sad songs help me reflect and feel emotional depth, while happy songs boost my energy and help me relax, so I choose depending on my mood.
Does happy music make you feel more excited?
Điểm: 58.0Gợi ý: Answer directly and use a clear sentence structure. Give one or two specific effects of happy music and use linking words (for example, “because” or “so”) to explain why. Avoid colloquial fillers like “you know” and fix word order errors (e.g., “makes me feel excited”).
Ví dụ: Yes, happy music makes me feel excited because it is upbeat and energetic, which lifts my mood and motivates me to move or dance.
Have you taken any music classes?
Điểm: 70.0Gợi ý: Be concise and avoid repetition. Start with a clear topic sentence stating what you did, then add one specific detail such as how long you studied or what skills you gained. Use past tense consistently.
Ví dụ: Yes, I took keyboard lessons for three years when I was a teenager, and I learned basic piano techniques and how to read music.
Do you listen to music while doing other things?
Điểm: 60.0Gợi ý: Give a clear, coherent answer: say how often you listen and in what situations, using linking words to organize ideas. Avoid vague phrases like “on wheels” and unnecessary repetition. Provide 2–3 specific examples of activities and the type of music you choose.
Ví dụ: Yes, I sometimes listen to music while commuting or doing chores. For example, I play upbeat pop when I’m with friends, calm instrumental music while studying, and sad ballads when I want to reflect.
× I prefer both because both has different moods.
✓ I prefer both because both have different moods.
The subject 'both' refers to two things and is plural, so the verb must be plural 'have' not 'has'. Use plural verb forms with plural subjects to ensure subject-verb agreement.
× Both have different pros and cons.
✓ Both have different pros and cons.
This sentence is already correct: 'both' is plural and correctly uses the plural verb 'have'. No change needed.
× Yes, happy music, feel me excited, makes me excited, you know, Playful, energetic, lifts my mood up.
✓ Yes, happy music makes me feel excited; it is playful and energetic and lifts my mood.
The original has fragmented and mixed word order. 'Feel me excited' uses incorrect word order and pronoun placement; correct structure is 'makes me feel excited'. Combine fragments into coherent clauses and use parallel structure ('playful and energetic'). Avoid redundant phrases like 'lifts my mood up' — 'lifts my mood' is natural.
× I used to take like keyboard classes.
✓ I used to take keyboard classes.
The phrase 'used to' correctly indicates past habit. The filler 'like' is informal and unnecessary in this context; removing it makes the sentence grammatically cleaner while preserving past tense meaning.
× I learned piano, so yeah, I used to take keyboard classes.
✓ I learned to play the piano, so yes, I used to take keyboard classes.
Use the correct verb phrase 'learned to play the piano' rather than 'learned piano'. Also 'so yeah' is informal; 'so yes' is clearer. Maintain consistent phrasing when explaining past learning and classes.
× Yes, sometimes, but very rarely.
✓ Yes, sometimes, but very rarely.
This sentence is acceptable as a short response describing current habit. No grammatical change is required.
× I listen to music.
✓ I listen to music.
This simple present sentence is grammatically correct to describe a habitual action. No change needed.
× I listen to music on wheels, very playful music.
✓ I listen to music on my headphones while walking, often very playful music.
'On wheels' is unclear and unidiomatic here. If the intended meaning is listening while moving, specify 'on my headphones while walking' or 'when I'm on the go.' Also separate ideas: where you listen and what type of music. Provide a clear prepositional phrase and correct collocations.
× I listen when I'm sad, sad music.
✓ I listen to sad music when I'm sad.
Word order is awkward. Place the object 'sad music' after 'listen to' and position the time clause 'when I'm sad' either before or after the main clause for clarity.
× I listen when I'm with my friends to vibe together.
✓ I listen to music when I'm with my friends to vibe together.
The verb 'listen' requires the preposition 'to' when followed by an object. Add 'to music' to clarify what you listen to, and keep the purpose phrase 'to vibe together' after it.