Part 1
Giám khảo
Do you prefer sad or happy music?
Thí sinh
I definitely prefer happy music because it just lifts my mood throughout the day. I listen to happy music because it excites me and motivates me to do more throughout the day. I listen to music like while driving or even doing some choices at home.
Giám khảo
Does happy music make you feel more excited?
Thí sinh
Absolutely. It makes me very energetic when I listen to happy music and I just go on throughout my day being happy when I listen to this type of music and it gives me the high spirit throughout the day.
Giám khảo
Have you taken any music classes?
Thí sinh
I actually did when I was younger. I had piano lessons every other week and it helped me realize which type of music that I want to listen to and it's a great exposure to different types of musical instruments as well.
Giám khảo
Do you listen to music while doing other things?
Thí sinh
Definitely, I always listen to music wherever I go, especially when I'm alone or while driving and while studying or like doing boring choices like cleaning the dishes and sweeping the floor. It just makes my mood more energetic.
Do you prefer sad or happy music?
Điểm: 74.0Gợi ý: Be more concise and correct minor grammar and word choices. Start with a clear topic sentence, avoid repeating the same idea, and give one or two specific examples of when you listen to happy music. Use linking words to connect ideas (for example, 'for instance' or 'such as').
Ví dụ: I prefer happy music because it lifts my mood and keeps me motivated. For instance, I often play upbeat pop songs while driving to work and when I'm doing household chores, which helps me stay energetic and focused.
Does happy music make you feel more excited?
Điểm: 70.0Gợi ý: Avoid repetition and use varied vocabulary. Give a concise main idea, then one brief reason or example. Replace vague phrases like 'high spirit' with more natural expressions such as 'boosts my energy' or 'brightens my mood.'
Ví dụ: Yes, happy music definitely boosts my energy. For example, when I listen to upbeat tracks in the morning, I feel more alert and motivated to tackle my tasks for the day.
Have you taken any music classes?
Điểm: 82.0Gợi ý: This answer is fairly clear but tighten grammar and be more specific about what you learned. Use one or two sentences: state the fact, then give a concrete effect or example. Replace 'which type of music that I want to listen to' with 'what kinds of music I like.'
Ví dụ: Yes, I took piano lessons every other week when I was a child. Learning piano exposed me to classical and pop music, and it helped me discover that I prefer upbeat, melodic songs that I now listen to regularly.
Do you listen to music while doing other things?
Điểm: 76.0Gợi ý: Be specific and avoid informal phrases like 'boring choices.' Limit to two or three activities and use linking words to show sequence or reason. Mention why music helps (e.g., improves concentration or makes chores more enjoyable).
Ví dụ: Yes, I often listen to music while doing other activities, especially when I'm driving or doing chores. Listening to upbeat songs makes routine tasks like washing dishes or vacuuming more enjoyable and helps me stay focused.
× I listen to music like while driving or even doing some choices at home.
✓ I listen to music while driving or even when doing chores at home.
The phrase 'doing some choices' is incorrect English. 'Doing' here requires a noun for the activity; 'choices' is wrong. Use the present participle phrase 'doing chores' to describe household tasks, and add 'when' to make the adverbial clause clear. Also remove the unnecessary word 'like'.
× It makes me very energetic when I listen to happy music and I just go on throughout my day being happy when I listen to this type of music and it gives me the high spirit throughout the day.
✓ It makes me very energetic when I listen to happy music, and I stay happy throughout the day when I listen to this kind of music; it lifts my spirits all day.
This long sentence has awkward repetition and unnatural phrases such as 'go on throughout my day being happy' and 'gives me the high spirit'. Use simple present tense consistently for habitual effects, replace 'go on' with 'stay', 'this type of music' with 'this kind of music', and 'gives me the high spirit' with the idiomatic 'lifts my spirits'. Use punctuation to separate ideas.
× I actually did when I was younger.
✓ I did when I was younger.
The original sentence uses 'actually did' which is acceptable conversationally but redundant here. Using simple past 'I did when I was younger' is clearer and grammatically correct for a past action. No tense change is needed; this is a stylistic simplification.
× I had piano lessons every other week and it helped me realize which type of music that I want to listen to and it's a great exposure to different types of musical instruments as well.
✓ I had piano lessons every other week, and they helped me realize which type of music I wanted to listen to; they were also a great exposure to different musical instruments.
Mixing past 'had' with present 'want' is a tense inconsistency. Change 'want' to past 'wanted' to match. Also 'which type of music that I want' uses an unnecessary 'that' in a relative clause and should be omitted. 'It helped' is unclear because lessons are plural; use 'they helped'. 'A great exposure to different types of musical instruments' is awkward — 'a great exposure to different musical instruments' is better.
× Definitely, I always listen to music wherever I go, especially when I'm alone or while driving and while studying or like doing boring choices like cleaning the dishes and sweeping the floor.
✓ Definitely, I always listen to music wherever I go, especially when I'm alone, while driving, while studying, or when doing boring chores such as washing the dishes and sweeping the floor.
'Doing boring choices' is incorrect; 'chores' is the proper noun for routine household tasks. Use 'washing the dishes' instead of 'cleaning the dishes' or keep 'doing the dishes'. Use parallel structure for the list (while driving, while studying, or when doing...). Replace 'like' with 'such as' for examples. Maintain present continuous forms appropriately.
× I listen to happy music because it excites me and motivates me to do more throughout the day.
✓ I listen to happy music because it excites me and motivates me to do more during the day.
'Throughout the day' is acceptable but 'during the day' is slightly more natural here; no tense change required. This suggestion refines adverb choice rather than correcting a grammatical error.
× I definitely prefer happy music because it just lifts my mood throughout the day.
✓ I definitely prefer happy music because it lifts my mood throughout the day.
The adverb 'just' is unnecessary and informal; removing it tightens the sentence without changing tense. Present simple is correct to express a general preference/effect.