Part 1
Giám khảo
Do you prefer sad or happy music?
Thí sinh
I prefer listening to happy music. I like EDM, I don't like punk, rocks or mellow music. I like it when there's a lot of beats and hype so I can dance to it and casually sing to it.
Giám khảo
Does happy music make you feel more excited?
Thí sinh
Yes they do. I like it when the music gives me uplifting energy. Example. The reason I like EDM is because they are the music, the type of music that are being played in parties and bars where people dance and shout their lungs out. So I like listening to those.
Giám khảo
Have you taken any music classes?
Thí sinh
No, I haven't. I don't really know how to play any instrument. I do like to sing though. But as far as playing any instrument, I don't have any idea. I'm a little tone deaf as you might call it.
Giám khảo
Do you listen to music while doing other things?
Thí sinh
Yes, I listen to music all the time. I listen to a lot of songs. When I'm walking, when I'm going to the gym, when I'm doing training or even while working, I listen to music. There's a lot of music that I listen to. I listen to EDM or OPM, stuff like that.
Do you prefer sad or happy music?
Điểm: 82.0Gợi ý: Be more concise and natural: start with a clear topic sentence, then add one or two specific supporting details using a linking word. Avoid listing negatives with incorrect pluralization (e.g., "rock" not "rocks").
Ví dụ: I prefer happy music, especially EDM. For example, I enjoy upbeat tracks with strong beats because they make it easy to dance and sing along at parties.
Does happy music make you feel more excited?
Điểm: 75.0Gợi ý: Use a single clear sentence to answer, then support with a specific reason and a linking word. Avoid speaking in fragments like "Example." and correct subject-verb agreement ("it does" or "they do" depending on subject).
Ví dụ: Yes, it does because upbeat songs give me uplifting energy. For instance, EDM is often played at parties and clubs, so its driving rhythm makes people dance and feel excited.
Have you taken any music classes?
Điểm: 80.0Gợi ý: Give a direct topic sentence, then add one brief supporting detail and a linking word. Avoid repetition ("I don't really know" and "I don't have any idea" say the same thing). Also choose one concise phrase for ability (e.g., "I'm a bit tone-deaf").
Ví dụ: No, I haven't taken any music classes, and I can't play any instruments. However, I enjoy singing even though I'm a bit tone-deaf, so I practice informally at home.
Do you listen to music while doing other things?
Điểm: 78.0Gợi ý: Answer directly then give two specific examples connected by linking words. Avoid repetition like "I listen to music" multiple times and use precise vocabulary (e.g., "while commuting" instead of "when I'm going").
Ví dụ: Yes, I listen to music almost constantly. For example, I play EDM when I'm at the gym for motivation, and I listen to OPM while commuting or doing chores to relax.
× Yes they do.
✓ Yes, it does.
The subject refers to 'happy music' (singular, uncountable), so the verb must be third person singular 'does' rather than 'do'. Add a comma after 'Yes' for natural spoken punctuation. Suggestion: identify the true subject (music) and match the verb form accordingly.
× The reason I like EDM is because they are the music, the type of music that are being played in parties and bars where people dance and shout their lungs out.
✓ The reason I like EDM is because it is the type of music that is played at parties and in bars where people dance and shout their lungs out.
EDM (electronic dance music) is treated as a singular or uncountable noun, so use the singular pronoun 'it' and singular verb 'is'. Also use 'is played' (passive singular) not 'are being played'. Prepositions: say 'at parties' and 'in bars' rather than 'in parties and bars'. Combine phrases to avoid repetition ('the music, the type of music' -> 'the type of music'). Suggestion: choose singular verb/pronoun for music genres and simplify redundant phrases.
× The reason I like EDM is because they are the music, the type of music that are being played in parties and bars where people dance and shout their lungs out.
✓ The reason I like EDM is because it is the type of music that is played at parties and in bars where people dance and shout their lungs out.
Use correct prepositions: 'played at parties' and 'in bars' are the natural collocations. Also replace 'in parties' which is incorrect. Suggestion: memorize common verb+preposition pairs (played at, in bars) and apply consistently.
× I like it when there's a lot of beats and hype so I can dance to it and casually sing to it.
✓ I like it when there are a lot of beats and hype so I can dance to it and casually sing along.
'Beats' is plural, so use 'there are' instead of 'there's' (contraction of there is). Also 'sing to it' is awkward; native phrasing is 'sing along' when singing with music. Suggestion: match 'there are' with plural noun and use idiomatic verb phrases like 'sing along'.
× I like it when the music gives me uplifting energy.
✓ I like it when the music gives me an uplifting energy.
Countability/usage: 'uplifting energy' is often countable with an article 'an' when referring to a kind of feeling. Adding 'an' makes the noun phrase sound more natural. Suggestion: use articles with singular, countable noun phrases describing a feeling.
× Have you taken any music classes?
✓ Have you taken any music lessons?
While 'music classes' is acceptable, 'music lessons' is the more idiomatic collocation in this context. No grammatical error per the strict list, but improving word choice increases naturalness. Suggestion: prefer 'lessons' when asking about learning an instrument or singing.
× I don't really know how to play any instrument.
✓ I don't really know how to play any instruments.
When using 'any' with a general plural noun, it's more natural to say 'any instruments' rather than the singular 'any instrument'. Suggestion: use plural after 'any' for general statements about multiple possible instruments.
× I'm a little tone deaf as you might call it.
✓ I'm a little tone-deaf, as you might call it.
Hyphenate 'tone-deaf' when used as a compound adjective. Add a comma before the tag 'as you might call it' for clarity. Suggestion: use hyphenation for compound adjectives before nouns or after 'be' when functioning adjectivally.
× When I'm walking, when I'm going to the gym, when I'm doing training or even while working, I listen to music.
✓ When I'm walking, going to the gym, training, or even working, I listen to music.
Reduce repetitive 'when' and 'while' for concision and use parallel gerund forms. 'Doing training' is awkward; 'training' suffices. Suggestion: use parallel structures and idiomatic verbs (go to the gym, train, work).
× I like EDM, I don't like punk, rocks or mellow music.
✓ I like EDM; I don't like punk, rock, or mellow music.
'Rocks' is incorrect as a genre term; use 'rock' (uncountable). Also separate independent clauses with a semicolon or period. Maintain parallel list items (punk, rock, mellow music). Suggestion: use genre names in their standard forms (rock, punk) and keep list items parallel.