Entertainment plays a significant role in our lives and is a familiar topic in IELTS Speaking. Questions often revolve around your preferences for movies, music, gaming, or other leisure activities. To speak fluently and naturally, candidates need a rich vocabulary, flexible sentence structures, and the ability to expand on their ideas. This article will equip you with useful phrases and sample answers tailored to actual exam topics.

Introduction to the Entertainment topic in IELTS Speaking

The Entertainment topic in IELTS Speaking can cover various aspects, depending on the part of the test. Some common themes include:

Personal Preferences: These questions are usually personal and easier to answer.
Media & Technology: The rise of streaming platforms (Netflix, YouTube, etc.), online gaming, and the influence of social media on entertainment habits.
Entertainment Industry: How the entertainment industry has evolved over time and its impact on culture and society.
Festivals & Events: Traditional festivals, music concerts, film festivals, or sporting events, as well as personal experiences attending them.

IELTS Speaking Part 1 Sample Answers: Entertainment

Music

Do you like music? Why / why not?
Yeah, I’m an ardent music lover. I could listen to albums for hours, adoring the production, the meaning of lyrics, the vocals and any other unique traits that stand out. Good music can elevate my mood within seconds and helps me appreciate art and people’s talents in general. I guess you could say that I cannot live without music.

ardent (adj): passionate or enthusiastic
adore sth/sb (v): to love or admire someone/something very much
unique traits that stand out: distinctive features that are noticeable
elevate my mood: to improve or lift one’s spirits
cannot live without (something): to be unable to function or be happy without something

What kind of music do you listen to? Why?
Oh, I don’t stick to specific genres. If a song resonates with me, it goes straight into my playlists. That being said, I’m more prone to songs that showcase experimental production, emotional depth, and genre-blending sound while still feeling cohesive somehow. You know, Dominic Fike’s discography is a prime example of this.

stick to (something): to limit oneself to a particular thing
resonate with (someone): to evoke a personal or emotional connection
be prone to (something): to have a tendency toward something
showcase (something): to display or exhibit something prominently
genre-blending sound: music that combines multiple styles
cohesive (adj): well-integrated or consistent
a prime example (of something): a classic or perfect illustration

Movies

Do you like watching films?

I do, yeah. Even though I don’t watch movies as often as I’d like, I always appreciate the ideas, art direction, acting, cinematography and all the creative elements that go into a film. Actually, this year, I plan to set aside a small budget for monthly movie viewings and write personal reviews afterward.

art direction (n): the visual style of a film
cinematography (n): the art of photography and camerawork in filmmaking
creative elements (n): artistic components
set aside (phr.v): to reserve or allocate
budget (n): a financial plan
movie viewing (n): a session of watching a film
personal review: an individual critique

What kinds of movies do you like best?
Hm, well, most of the time, I find myself reaching for a rom-com or a sci-fi movie. I go for rom-coms when I’m in the mood for love, and want something lighthearted, funny, yet meaningful. Lately, though, I’ve been really into sci-fi because I love how directors and screenwriters blend scientific, sometimes even accurate, concepts into fictional scenarios, raising deeper questions about humanity and science. Movies like The Thing or Interstellar are great examples.

find myself reaching for sth: to naturally gravitate toward choosing something
go for sth: to choose or prefer something
in the mood for sth: to feel like doing or having something
lighthearted (adj): amusing and entertaining
blend sth into sth: to combine things seamlessly
concept (n): an abstract idea or notion
fictional scenarios: imaginary situations
raise questions about sth: to prompt inquiry into a subject

Do you prefer foreign films or films made in your country?
Honestly, I prefer foreign movies over Vietnamese ones, mainly because other countries have a longer history of filmmaking, giving them leverage in producing more classic and polished works with sophisticated themes. That said, I have high hopes for modern Vietnamese cinema, especially after seeing some impressive independent projects like “Cu Li Never Cries” in 2024, which explores nostalgia and generational gaps, and “The Brilliant Darkness!” in 2022 with its focus on family trauma.

prefer A over B: to like A more than B
have a long history of sth: to have a well-established tradition
give (someone) leverage in sth: to provide an advantage
polished (adj): refined and high-quality
sophisticated themes: complex or nuanced subjects
have high hopes for sth: to be optimistic about something’s future
independent projects: films produced outside major studios
nostalgia (n): a sentimental longing for the past
generational gaps: differences in outlook between age groups

IELTS speaking topic city life

IELTS speaking topic job

IELTS Speaking Part 2 Sample Answer: Entertainment

Describe an interesting song. You should say:

what the song is
what it’s about
whether the song is popular
explain why you think it is interesting

I’d like to talk about the song “Hard feelings” from the album “Melodrama” by Lorde, a New Zealand singer-songwriter, known for her unconventional pop style and introspective lyrics. This album is no exception.

Unlike some of the album’s bigger hits, “Hard feelings” hasn’t gained as much recognition, but it still has a solid following, with over 100 million streams. As the title suggests, the song explores heartbreak and the emotional weight of love, which makes it incredibly relatable.

One thing I love about it is its production, which starts off slow and dreamy, mirroring the gradual realization of emotional loss. The blend of glitchy synths and an eerie, creaking door sound at the end adds an unexpected, haunting touch. The atmospheric vibe makes me feel like standing in an open field, lost in thought, almost like the main character in a coming-of-age movie.

What truly stands out, though, is the lyricism. The song captures the raw, complicated emotions of a breakup, transitioning from lingering pain to an almost detached acceptance. Combined with Lorde’s spoken-word style of singing, it feels deeply personal, as if I’ve just experienced a heartbreak I’ve never actually had.

unconventional (adj): unique or non-traditional
introspective (adj): characterized by self-reflection
gain recognition: to become widely known
emotional weight (np): the burden of feelings
dreamy (adj): ethereal or surreal
glitchy synths (n): electronic sounds with intentional distortion
eerie (adj): strange and frightening
haunting touch (np): a memorable, lingering effect
atmospheric vibe (np): a mood-setting quality
coming-of-age movie: a film about growing up
raw emotion: unfiltered feelings
lingering (adj): lasting for a long time
detached (adj): emotionally distant
spoken-word style of singing: a vocal style resembling speech

IELTS Speaking Part 3 Sample Answers: Entertainment

What forms of entertainment are most popular in Vietnam?
I think the most popular ways for Vietnamese people to have fun and unwind are going to cafés, watching movies and singing karaoke. Café culture is deeply ingrained in our daily life, serving as more than just a place to grab a drink. They are social hubs where people bond, work, study, or take aesthetic photos. Aside from that, many enjoy Hollywood blockbusters and Vietnamese films in cinemas or subscribe to streaming platforms like Netflix and VieON. Karaoke, however, is a beloved pastime for all ages, whether in private rooms or at home.

unwind (v): to relax
be ingrained in sth: to be firmly established
serve as sth: to function as
social hub (n): a center for social interaction
blockbuster (n): a highly successful film
subscribe to streaming platforms: to pay for digital content services
beloved pastime: a favorite hobby

Do you think men and women have different tastes in entertainment?
It really depends on the type of entertainment. Generally, both groups can enjoy a wide range of movies, TV shows and music equally, with differences coming down to personal preference rather than gender. However, when it comes to sports and outdoor activities, men tend to gravitate toward team sports like football and basketball, as well as gym workouts, while women often prefer wellness activities such as yoga, pilates or dancing. Also, on social media, women are more active on platforms like Instagram, Pinterest, and TikTok, whereas men engage more with YouTube and Reddit.

come down to sth: to be a matter of
personal preference: individual choice
tend to do sth: to be inclined to do something
gravitate toward (something): to be drawn to something
wellness activities: health-focused pursuits
be active on (a platform): to use a platform frequently
engage with (something): to interact with something

Do you think that entertainment can be more effective than traditional teaching methods for some children?
Yes, I do think so, especially for children growing up in the digital age. In the classroom, integrating educational videos and gamified platforms like Kahoot! can make learning more dynamic, reducing the rigidity of textbooks while boosting engagement and motivation. Activities like strategy games, puzzles, and role-playing also enhance problem-solving and critical thinking skills. That’s why in Vietnam, more teachers, particularly in primary schools, are incorporating entertainment-based learning to create a more interactive and enjoyable experience for students.

the digital age: the era of technology
integrate (something) into (something): to combine into a whole
gamified platforms: learning tools that use game mechanics
reduce the rigidity of textbooks: to make learning less stiff
boost engagement and motivation: to increase interest and drive
enhance (…) skills: to improve abilities
incorporate (sth) into (sth): to include as part of a whole
entertainment-based learning: learning through fun activities

In what ways do you think that entertainment media may develop in the future?
I suppose entertainment will become more AI-driven and immersive in the future. AI might personalize our movies, songs and games based on individual preferences, even creating AI-generated actors for movies, though this could raise concerns for the creative industry. Additionally, with advancements in virtual and augmented reality, we may be able to fully immerse ourselves in entertainment, such as exploring museums through interactive virtual tours.

AI-driven (adj): powered by artificial intelligence
immersive (adj): deeply engaging
personalize (sth) based on (sth): to tailor to individual needs
AI-generated (adj): created by AI
raise concerns for (sth): to cause worry
advancements in (sth): progress in a field
immerse oneself in (sth): to become fully absorbed
interactive virtual tours: digital tours that allow user participation

We hope this article from ECE has provided you with the knowledge and skills to confidently answer questions about the Entertainment topic in IELTS Speaking. Practice with these IELTS vocabulary words, Part 1, 2, and 3 questions, and apply these sample answers to achieve a high score. Good luck!