Paul Holmes -
University
English Professor

Free Materials For ESL Teachers and Learners

“Music” (1 of 2) ESL Discussion Questions

1. What are some examples of popular music from different countries?
2. Has listening to a piece of music ever made you feel more energetic or tired than usual?
3. Do you like music?
4. How would you describe your taste in music?
5. How do we know that cavemen played music?
6. What is your favorite type of music to listen to when working out?
7. What genre of music do you listen to most often?
8. Do you find it difficult to sleep without listening to music?
9. Do you think everyone should learn to play an instrument? Why or why not?
10. What’s the most embarrassing song on your playlist? And why do you love it so much?
11. Is there a type of music that everyone likes all over the world?
12. Are there any songs that get stuck in your head all day long, no matter what you try?
13. What is jazz?
14. What is your favorite song right now? Why do you like it so much?
15. Can you think of any ways that music affects us physically?
16. What is a symphony?
17. What do you listen to when you’re in a bad mood?
18. Why do people listen to music?
19. Why do some people like rock music and others prefer classical music?
20. Do all instruments make noise when they are played, or just some of them?
21. What is the difference between an orchestra and a band?
22. Have you ever had a song be so meaningful to you that it changed the way you felt about something or someone in your life?
23. What is rap?
24. What instruments do you know how to play?
25. When do you listen to music?
26. What’s the first album or single you ever owned?
27. What kind of music do you listen to when you’re sad?
28. What is your favorite music genre?
29. Have you ever seen a famous musician perform live before? If so, who was it?
30. Is there a song that reminds you of an important moment in your life? If so, what is it?
31. What is the worst song ever written (in your opinion)? Why do you think it’s so bad?
32. Do you think music is important in your life? Why or why not?
33. Do you play any instruments?
34. Do you like to dance when listening to your favorite song? Or do you prefer just sitting down and listening?
35. How does music affect people’s moods, emotions and behavior?
36. How do you choose what music to listen to?
37. What instrument do you think is the most difficult to play?
38. What were the first instruments made out of?
39. What is classical music?
40. Do you think that there are different kinds of music for different types of people?
41. What is the difference between classical and modern music?
42. Are you good at playing instruments?
43. Do you listen to music before going to bed?
44. Do you like to listen to music?
45. How do you listen to music?
46. What is rock music?
47. What is your favorite song?
48. What are the most common types of music?
49. Does everybody like music, or does it depend on your age or nationality or something else like that?
50. What is the best concert you’ve ever been to? Why was it so great?
51. What is the origin of music?
52. Are there any songs that make your heart beat faster or slower than usual? Why do you think this happens?
53. Do you think that some songs are more meaningful than others? Why or why not?

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