English Vocabulary in Use Elementary » Unit 26: Music and musical instruments

Word List
  • band
  • can’t stand
  • cello
  • clarinet
  • classical music
  • concert
  • download
  • drums
  • flute
  • flute-player
  • folk music
  • guitar
  • have a piano lesson
  • jazz
  • learn
  • lesson(s)
  • listen (to)
  • music
  • musical
  • musician
  • opera
  • orchestra
  • pianist
  • piano
  • play a musical instrument
  • play in an orchestra
  • pop music
  • rock
  • song
  • trumpet
  • trumpet-player
  • violin
  • violinist
Exercises

26.1 ‣ Choose the correct word: music, musical or musician.

  1. What are your favourite types of ?
  2. My brother thinks he’s a good _____, but he’s very bad!
  3. Can you play a _____ instrument?
  4. I love different types of _____, for example, jazz, rock and classical.
  5. Which _____ instrument would you like to learn?
  6. Are there any _____ in your family?

26.2 ‣ Look at the pictures and complete the sentences.

  1. Madison plays the favourite types of .
  2. _____ plays the cello in an _____.
  3. Noah loves playing the _____.
  4. Emily is having a _____ lesson.
  5. Mason is a very good _____-player.
  6. Ella plays the _____ every evening.
  7. William _____ the _____.
  8. Emma is learning the _____. She will be a good flute-_____ one day.
  9. _____ is a violinist.
  10. _____ wants to be a pianist.

26.3 ‣ Choose the correct answer, a, b or c.

  1. I love _____ music. Beethoven is my favourite.
    • a) classic
    • b) classical
    • c) classist
  2. My brother _____ folk music but I love it.
    • a) can’t stand
    • b) can stand
    • c) can’t stay
  3. I have some tickets for a _____ at the Town Hall. Would you like one?
    • a) concert music
    • b) music concert
    • c) concert
  4. I always _____ music when I’m studying.
    • a) listen in
    • b) listen to
    • c) listen
  5. My sister plays in a _____ with three other girls from her school.
    • a) music band
    • b) band music
    • c) band

26.4 ‣ Answer these questions.

  1. How often do you download music?
    _____
  2. Which musical instrument on the opposite page do you like best?
    _____
  3. Can you play a musical instrument?
    _____
  4. Which musical instrument would you like to learn?
    _____
  5. Do you prefer classical music or pop music?
    _____
Answer Key
A ‣ Music, musical and musician

Music is an uncountable noun. We do not use it in the plural.
The band played fantastic music for more than two hours [NOT fantastic musics].

Musical is an adjective.
There is a shop on King Street that sells musical instruments [NOT music instruments].

A musician (noun) is a person.
My brother is a very good musician. He plays three instruments.

B ‣ Musical instruments

C ‣ Playing musical instruments

Ava plays the clarinet. Her brother plays the drums.

Krishnan is learning the guitar. His friend, Isabella, has piano lessons.

Mia is a very good flute-player. She plays in an orchestra. Her friend, Nuria, is a good trumpet-player.

Lucas is an excellent violinist. His sister is a good pianist.

Can you play a musical instrument?

D ‣ Listening to music

Charlotte loves classical music. (for example, Beethoven, Mozart) [NOT classic music]

Harper can’t stand opera [dislikes it very much]. She prefers pop music.

I like folk music, jazz and rock.

I often listen to music on the train.

I downloaded some new songs yesterday. Do you want to hear them?

Common mistakes

A band means a group of musicians.

Nuala had a really good band at her 21st birthday party. [NOT ‘a really good music band’]

A concert means an event with music.

We’re going to a concert tonight. [NOT ‘a music concert’]

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