Paul Holmes -
University
English Professor

Free Materials For ESL Teachers and Learners

“Pop music” ESL Discussion Questions

1. Would you rather listen to the radio or play your own music?
2. What are some of your favorite songs by The Beatles?
3. Which one do you think is more popular in America: rock or pop? Why?
4. What’s the worst thing about pop music?
5. Do you like Korean pop (K-pop)?
6. Can you name some songs that are popular right now that have been written by people who are no longer alive?
7. Do you think that pop music is good for people’s health? Why or why not?
8. Do you think that the lyrics of pop songs are meaningful?
9. Why do you think that pop music is so popular today?
10. What is the meaning of “pop” in pop music?
11. Do you know any popular artists that also make alternative music?
12. How old is pop music?
13. What is the name of your favorite pop song?
14. What do you think of pop music?
15. What other types of music are there besides pop and alternative?
16. Do you like to listen to pop music?
17. Would you rather listen to rock or to pop? Why?
18. Who would you say is currently the best singer in the world?
19. What is the first thing that comes to your mind when someone mentions “pop music”?
20. How often do you listen to pop music?
21. How does pop music make you feel?
22. What do you think about the lyrics in pop songs? Are they meaningful to you or just nonsense words?
23. What’s the best thing about pop music?
24. What are the different sub-genres of pop music?
25. What is pop music?
26. What kind of music do you like to listen to?
27. What is the most important thing about pop music?
28. Who is your favorite pop singer?
29. Who are your favorite artists in that genre?
30. What is your favorite song?
31. Is there a country that is known for making good pop music?
32. What artists do you like from the 1960s, 1970s, 1980s, and 1990s?
33. What is the difference between pop music and alternative music?
34. Is there a type of music that you don’t like at all? If so, what is it and why don’t you like it?