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Level B1 IELTS Speaking Build-up • 25 Mins

🎸 Module 1: Concerts and Music Festivals: Getting Started

Let's build your essential vocabulary, common collocations, and simple sentence patterns before speaking!

💡 How to Use This Lesson

FOR THE TEACHER

• Use this 25-minute lesson to build vocabulary and speaking confidence step-by-step from easy to hard.

• Guide students through the interactive exercises and check their answers before moving to speaking modules.

FOR THE LEARNER

• First, complete the vocabulary review, collocation matching, sentence patterns, and fun facts trivia.

• Next, practice speaking out loud in Modules 2 and 3 and compare your recording with the model answers.

1. Vocabulary Review (Unit Words)

Choose the best extreme adjective to complete each sentence.

1. The music right in front of the main stage was so ___ that my ears were ringing for hours afterward!

____ a. filthy ____ b. hilarious ____ c. deafening ____ d. starving

2. It poured rain during the outdoor festival, so our clothes and shoes got completely ___.

____ a. soaked ____ b. gorgeous ____ c. brilliant ____ d. awful

3. The laser light show on the stage was truly ___ with incredible visual effects.

____ a. filthy ____ b. starving ____ c. awful ____ d. spectacular

4. We danced for five hours straight without eating any food, so by midnight we were absolutely ___!

____ a. soaked ____ b. starving ____ c. gorgeous ____ d. deafening

5. The sound speakers broke down halfway through and the weather was terrible, so the whole event was ___.

____ a. brilliant ____ b. fantastic ____ c. awful ____ d. hilarious

2. Collocation Matching

Match each common music collocation to its plain English meaning.

1. live concert

Select the correct definition:

____ a. A real performance in front of an audience instead of a recording ____ b. An outdoor event with many bands and shows over several days ____ c. A very strong or painful sound that hurts your ears

2. music festival

Select the correct definition:

____ a. A famous person who performs songs that many people love ____ b. An outdoor event with many bands and shows over several days ____ c. A wonderful feeling and excitement created by a crowd of people

3. loud noise

Select the correct definition:

____ a. A lot of water falling fast from the sky ____ b. A real performance in front of an audience instead of a recording ____ c. A very strong or painful sound that hurts your ears

4. heavy rain

Select the correct definition:

____ a. A lot of water falling fast from the sky ____ b. An outdoor event with many bands and shows over several days ____ c. A famous person who performs songs that many people love

5. great atmosphere

Select the correct definition:

____ a. A real performance in front of an audience instead of a recording ____ b. A very strong or painful sound that hurts your ears ____ c. A wonderful feeling and excitement created by a crowd of people

6. popular singer

Select the correct definition:

____ a. A famous person who performs songs that many people love ____ b. A lot of water falling fast from the sky ____ c. An outdoor event with many bands and shows over several days

3. Useful Sentence Patterns

Study these 4 simple speaking patterns to upgrade your IELTS score.

Pattern 1: Extreme Adjectives

"It was absolutely [extreme adjective]..."

"The singer was absolutely fantastic, although the field was very crowded."

Why this works: Pairing 'absolutely' with strong words like 'fantastic' shows strong emphasis and strong vocabulary.

Pattern 2: Contrast & Balance

"It was very [gradable], but not [extreme]..."

"The music was very loud, but not deafening, so we could still chat."

Why this works: Contrasting a regular word with an extreme word gives a balanced, precise description.

Pattern 3: Expressing Desires

"I'd really love to [action] because..."

"I'd really love to see my favorite artist live because their energy is unreal."

Why this works: Natural way to talk about future preferences and explain your reason clearly.

Pattern 4: Giving Opinions

"If you ask me, [opinion]..."

"If you ask me, outdoor music festivals are much more exciting than small indoor concerts."

Why this works: Starts your answer with an easy, conversational starter commonly used in natural speech.

4. Concert Trivia (Fun Facts)

Guess the correct numbers about the world-famous Glastonbury Music Festival!

🎪

Guess the Number: Attendance in 1970

How many people came to the very first Glastonbury Festival in 1970?

____ 150 people ____ 1,500 people ____ 15,000 people

Source: Glastonbury Festivals, 2026

🎟️

Guess the Number: Ticket Price in 1990

In 1990, how much did a ticket for the Glastonbury Festival cost?

____ £3.80 ____ £38 ____ £380

Source: Glastonbury Festivals, 2026

🎤

Module 2: IELTS Speaking Part 1

Answer 4 personal questions about concerts and festivals using your own voice.

Question 1

Have you ever been to a live concert, or would you like to go to one?

[Bài tập luyện nói]

💡 Model Answer & Useful Phrases (Click to expand after recording)

"Well, to be honest, I've never been to a live concert before, but I'd really love to go to one soon. Seeing a popular singer live with a huge crowd must be an amazing feeling."

Key Vocabulary & Phrases:

• to be honest - used to give a sincere opinion
• live concert - a real performance in front of people
• I'd really love to - used to express a strong wish
• huge crowd - a very large group of people

Question 2

Do you prefer to listen to music on your phone, or do you like to hear it live?

[Bài tập luyện nói]

💡 Model Answer & Useful Phrases (Click to expand after recording)

"Honestly, I prefer listening on my phone because it's super convenient when I travel. However, hearing music live is much better because of the great atmosphere and loud sound from the speakers."

Key Vocabulary & Phrases:

• super convenient - very easy and useful
• hearing music live - listening to music performed in person
• great atmosphere - an exciting and wonderful mood
• loud sound - high volume audio

Question 3

How do you usually get tickets for events, and who do you go with?

[Bài tập luyện nói]

💡 Model Answer & Useful Phrases (Click to expand after recording)

"Normally, I buy tickets online on my phone because it is fast and simple. You know, I usually go with my close friends or family members because sharing the experience makes it way more fun."

Key Vocabulary & Phrases:

• buy tickets online - purchase entry passes on the internet
• You know - a natural filler to pause slightly while speaking
• close friends - good friends you trust and like a lot
• way more fun - much more enjoyable

Question 4

What would you take with you to a music festival that lasts three days?

[Bài tập luyện nói]

💡 Model Answer & Useful Phrases (Click to expand after recording)

"Well, if I went to a festival for three days, I'd definitely pack a small tent, some water, and a warm jacket. Also, I'd bring a portable phone charger so my battery doesn't die."

Key Vocabulary & Phrases:

• definitely pack - surely put in your bag
• warm jacket - clothes to stay warm in cool weather
• portable phone charger - a small power bank to recharge your phone
• battery doesn't die - phone stays powered on

🗣️

Module 3: IELTS Speaking Part 3

Discuss 4 broader questions about live music and festivals in detail.

Question 1

Why do so many people pay a lot of money to see a singer live when they can listen at home?

[Bài tập luyện nói]

💡 Model Answer & Useful Phrases (Click to expand after recording)

"Well, to be honest, I think people spend money on live shows because of the unique experience. Listening to music at home on your phone is nice, but it can never match the excitement of being in a stadium. When you go to a live concert, you get to feel the atmosphere with thousands of other fans. You can hear the deafening sound of the speakers and see spectacular light effects. Also, seeing a popular singer perform right in front of you creates memories that last a lifetime."

Key Vocabulary & Phrases:

• live concert - a real music performance in front of an audience
• feel the atmosphere - experience the excitement of a large crowd
• deafening sound - extremely loud music that fills the area
• last a lifetime - remain in your memory for a very long time

Question 2

Are big music festivals good for the town or area where they take place?

[Bài tập luyện nói]

💡 Model Answer & Useful Phrases (Click to expand after recording)

"In my opinion, big music festivals have both good and bad sides for the local area. On the one hand, they bring a lot of visitors who buy food, stay in hotels, and spend money in local shops. This gives a huge financial boost to small businesses. On the other hand, thousands of people arriving at once can cause severe traffic jams and leave behind tons of rubbish. The loud noise late at night can also bother local residents who are trying to sleep."

Key Vocabulary & Phrases:

• financial boost - helpful extra income for local businesses
• leave behind - abandon waste or objects after an event ends
• loud noise - intense sound that can be heard far away
• bother local residents - disturb people living in the neighborhood

Question 3

Should tickets for popular concerts be cheaper for young people?

[Bài tập luyện nói]

💡 Model Answer & Useful Phrases (Click to expand after recording)

"I really think concert tickets should be more affordable for young people. Most teenagers and students do not have full-time jobs, so ticket prices are often out of reach for them. Music plays a huge role in youth culture, so it seems unfair when only older adults with steady incomes can attend. If organizers offered student discounts, more young fans could support their favorite artists without having to break the bank. It would also help music venues fill up seats on quiet weeknights."

Key Vocabulary & Phrases:

• out of reach - too expensive for someone to afford
• youth culture - interests and art loved by young people
• break the bank - spend too much money or drain your savings
• fill up seats - sell all entry tickets for a venue

Question 4

Do you think that live music will become more or less popular in the future?

[Bài tập luyện nói]

💡 Model Answer & Useful Phrases (Click to expand after recording)

"Personally, I believe live music will become even more popular in the future. Today, people spend so much time looking at screens and listening to songs online, but virtual sound cannot replace real human connection. Going to a show lets people escape their screens and enjoy an unforgettable night together. Even though technology might improve online streaming, nothing can copy the energy of a live performance. People will always want to gather in crowds and sing along with their favorite singers."

Key Vocabulary & Phrases:

• human connection - real togetherness felt between people in person
• unforgettable night - an evening so special you will always remember it
• live performance - music played live in front of real fans
• sing along - sing together with the performer during a song

IELTS Speaking: Concerts and Music Festivals

🎸 Module 1: Concerts and Music Festivals: Getting Started

💡 How to Use This Lesson

1. Vocabulary Review (Unit Words)

2. Collocation Matching

3. Useful Sentence Patterns

4. Concert Trivia (Fun Facts)

Guess the Number: Attendance in 1970

Guess the Number: Ticket Price in 1990

Module 2: IELTS Speaking Part 1

Have you ever been to a live concert, or would you like to go to one?

Do you prefer to listen to music on your phone, or do you like to hear it live?

How do you usually get tickets for events, and who do you go with?

What would you take with you to a music festival that lasts three days?

Module 3: IELTS Speaking Part 3

Why do so many people pay a lot of money to see a singer live when they can listen at home?

Are big music festivals good for the town or area where they take place?

Should tickets for popular concerts be cheaper for young people?

Do you think that live music will become more or less popular in the future?

Related lessons

Grammar: Gradable and Extreme Adjectives

Reading: The Early Years of Glastonbury

Vocabulary & Pronunciation: Concerts and Music Festivals

IELTS Writing Task 1: Music Festival Attendance

Class activity: Trip Story Cards (Travel & Holidays)

Class activity: Study Dilemma Cards