Band-9 Samples: Did you enjoy singing when you were younger? [Why/why not?]

This post contains ideas and band-9 sample answers (audio included) for the Cambridge IELTS 12 Academic Speaking Part 1 Question 1 Test 2 question:

“Did you enjoy singing when you were younger? [Why/why not?]”

Sample 1: Yes

Yes, I was really fond of singing when I was younger. In my country, singing, particularly karaoke, is embedded in our culture as a popular form of entertainment and bonding. It’s a tradition that brings families and friends closer together. We would often gather around the karaoke machine during parties or family reunions and take turns singing our favorite songs. It was always a time of laughter, joy, and unity.

Sample 2: Yes

Absolutely, I delighted in singing during my younger days. One of the key reasons was that singing English songs substantially aided my language-learning process. The catchy tunes made it easier to remember new words and phrases, not to mention the improvements in my pronunciation and understanding of idioms. It was an unconventional yet effective route to English mastery.

Sample 3: Yes

Indeed, I took great pleasure in singing as a youngster. You see, I was quite a shy child and singing provided a means for me to overcome my introverted tendencies. Performing in front of others was nerve-wracking at first, but eventually, I learned to put my fears aside and express myself fully through song.

Sample 4: Yes

Absolutely, I savored every moment of singing when I was younger. Each time I sang, it was as if all my worries and anxieties just melted away. It was a form of therapy for me, a way to release stress and find tranquility amidst the hustle and bustle of life. It was a simple act, but the positive effects were profound and lasting.

Sample 5: No

Honestly, when I was younger, I didn’t really relish singing. The root cause was a lack of confidence. Whenever I had to sing, I would become self-conscious and end up feeling awkward. I always had the impression that my voice was not pleasing to the ear, which deterred me from singing.

Sample 6: No

Unfortunately, I didn’t find singing enjoyable when I was growing up. Despite my best efforts, I struggled with tone deafness, which made it challenging for me to accurately reproduce or recognize musical notes. This predicament often led to frustration rather than joy when it came to singing.

Sample 7: No

I must admit, I didn’t enjoy singing as a child. It wasn’t that I disliked music. Quite the contrary, I loved listening to music and appreciated the talent of others. However, when it came to singing myself, it just didn’t resonate with me. I was more content to be in the audience, appreciating the performance, rather than being the performer.

Sample 8: No

In my youth, singing was not something I was fond of. I’ve always been sensitive to noise and loud sounds, and singing, especially in a group, felt too noisy for my comfort. I found solace in quiet activities like reading or painting.

Sample 9: Neutral

You know, as far as I remember, my experience with singing was rather ambivalent. I didn’t exactly gravitate toward it, but I didn’t repel it either. It was more like a spontaneous activity, something I’d do when a catchy tune was playing on the radio or during a leisurely shower.

Sample 10: Neutral

Honestly, my feelings towards singing were quite neutral. I often found myself singing in school functions or family gatherings, not because I had a burning desire to, but more due to the encouragement of others. It was an activity like any other, neither tremendously exciting nor entirely off-putting.