This is my IELTS writing task 2 sample answer essay on the topic of the function of music from the real exam.

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IELTS Essay: The Function of Music

Some argue that music mainly serves as a way for individuals to reduce their stress and anxiety.

To what extent do you agree or disagree?

Many would argue that the purpose of music is to help individuals de-stress and relax. In my opinion, although this is a key function, it is more important for music to uplift.

Those in favor of considering music a form of relaxation point out how it is used by most listeners. Though this is impossible to verify empirically, most would concede on an anecdotal level that music is primarily used to relax. Students and workers on their daily commute and after a long day listen to music to forget about their anxieties. Scientific research has shown that listening to any genre of music results in reduced blood pressure and increased heart rate volatility, key indicators of lower stress levels. Though music is also used at parties as a way to celebrate and have fun, these situations are less common overall for the average subscriber to an application such as Spotify or Apple Music.

However, there is a higher function of music that relates to raising one’s perspective on life. When a person listens to a beautiful and meaningful song such as “Jealous Guy” by John Lennon or “No Woman, No Cry” by Bob Marley, they are being lifted by the melody and lyrics. Similar to other forms of art, they present a way of seeing the world that transforms ordinary life into an aesthetic experience. Some of these aesthetic interpretations by artists may not always be positive, such as when a singer sings about loss or addiction, but they nonetheless ennoble and allow for greater understanding of the darkest elements of the human condition.

In conclusion, though music is one way of relaxing for many people, I would contend that it’s most crucial aim is to enrich the world through a particular artistic interpretation. It is still possible for particular listeners to enjoy music as they see fit.

Analysis

1. Many would argue that the purpose of music is to help individuals de-stress and relax. 2. In my opinion, although this is a key function, it is more important for music to uplift.

1. Paraphrase the overall essay topic.
2. Write a clear opinion. Read more about introductions here.

1. Those in favor of considering music a form of relaxation point out how it is used by most listeners. 2. Though this is impossible to verify empirically, most would concede on an anecdotal level that music is primarily used to relax. 3. Students and workers on their daily commute and after a long day listen to music to forget about their anxieties. 4. Scientific research has shown that listening to any genre of music results in reduced blood pressure and increased heart rate volatility, key indicators of lower stress levels. 5. Though music is also used at parties as a way to celebrate and have fun, these situations are less common overall for the average subscriber to an application such as Spotify or Apple Music.

1. Write a topic sentence with a clear main idea at the end.
2. Explain your main idea.
3. Develop it with specific or hypothetical examples.
4. Keep developing it fully.
5. Add in as much detail as possible.

1. However, there is a higher function of music that relates to raising one’s perspective on life. 2. When a person listens to a beautiful and meaningful song such as “Jealous Guy” by John Lennon or “No Woman, No Cry” by Bob Marley, they are being lifted by the melody and lyrics. 3. Similar to other forms of art, they present a way of seeing the world that transforms ordinary life into an aesthetic experience. 4. Some of these aesthetic interpretations by artists may not always be positive, such as when a singer sings about loss or addiction, but they nonetheless ennoble and allow for greater understanding of the darkest elements of the human condition.

1. Write a new topic sentence with a new main idea at the end.
2. Explain your new main idea.
3. Include specific details and examples.
4. Add as much information as you can and make sure it links logically.

1. In conclusion, though music is one way of relaxing for many people, I would contend that it’s most crucial aim is to enrich the world through a particular artistic interpretation. 2. It is still possible for particular listeners to enjoy music as they see fit.

1. Summarise your main ideas.
2. Include a final thought. Read more about conclusions here.

Vocabulary

What do the words in bold below mean? Make some notes on paper to aid memory and then check below.

Many would argue that the purpose of music is to help individuals de-stress and relax. In my opinion, although this is a key function, it is more important for music to uplift.

Those in favor of considering music a form of relaxation point out how it is used by most listeners. Though this is impossible to verify empirically, most would concede on an anecdotal level that music is primarily used to relax. Students and workers on their daily commute and after a long day listen to music to forget about their anxieties. Scientific research has shown that listening to any genre of music results in reduced blood pressure and increased heart rate volatility, key indicators of lower stress levels. Though music is also used at parties as a way to celebrate and have fun, these situations are less common overall for the average subscriber to an application such as Spotify or Apple Music.

However, there is a higher function of music that relates to raising one’s perspective on life. When a person listens to a beautiful and meaningful song such as “Jealous Guy” by John Lennon or “No Woman, No Cry” by Bob Marley, they are being lifted by the melody and lyrics. Similar to other forms of art, they present a way of seeing the world that transforms ordinary life into an aesthetic experience. Some of these aesthetic interpretations by artists may not always be positive, such as when a singer sings about loss or addiction, but they nonetheless ennoble and allow for greater understanding of the darkest elements of the human condition.

In conclusion, though music is one way of relaxing for many people, I would contend that it’s most crucial aim is to enrich the world through a particular artistic interpretation. It is still possible for particular listeners to enjoy music as they see fit.

Answers

For extra practice, write an antonym (opposite word) on a piece of paper to help you remember the new vocabulary:

purpose: objective, aim, goal, intention

de-stress: relax, unwind, decompress

key function: primary role, main purpose, central task

uplift: inspire, elevate, boost

Those in favor of considering music a form of relaxation point out: supporters argue

impossible to verify empirically: cannot be proven through experiments

concede on an anecdotal level: acknowledge, admit (on an anecdotal level)

primarily used to relax: mainly, predominantly used to relax

daily commute: regular journey, everyday travel

after a long day: following an exhausting day, post a tiring day

forget about their anxieties: let go of, put aside their anxieties

Scientific research has shown: studies indicate

genre: category, type, style

results in reduced blood pressure: leads to better heart health

increased heart rate volatility: heightened, elevated heart rate health

key indicators of lower stress levels: significant signs of, important markers for lower stress levels

situations: circumstances, conditions, scenarios

less common: not as frequent, uncommon

average subscriber: typical member, regular participant

higher function: elevated role, superior purpose

relates to raising one’s perspective on life: pertains to, connects to raising one’s perspective on life

meaningful: significant, profound

lifted by the melody and lyrics: uplifted, carried by the melody and lyrics

present a way of seeing the world: provide a way of seeing life

transforms ordinary life into an aesthetic experience: turns normal life to something special

positive: optimistic, favorable

loss: defeat, setback

addiction: dependency, compulsion

nonetheless ennoble: nevertheless, still make better

darkest elements of the human condition: the bleakest aspects of, the most shadowy facets of life

contend: argue, assert

most crucial aim: paramount objective, primary goal

enrich: enhance, improve

a particular artistic interpretation: a specific artistic rendition, a distinct artistic portrayal

particular: specific, individual

as they see fit: according to their own judgment, in a way that suits them

Pronunciation

Practice saying the vocabulary below and use this tip about Google voice search:

ˈpɜːpəs 
diː-strɛs 
kiː ˈfʌŋkʃᵊn 
ˈʌplɪft 
ðəʊz ɪn ˈfeɪvər ɒv kənˈsɪdərɪŋ ˈmjuːzɪk ə fɔːm ɒv ˌriːlækˈseɪʃᵊn pɔɪnt aʊt 
ɪmˈpɒsəbᵊl tuː ˈvɛrɪfaɪ ɛmˈpɪrɪkəli 
kənˈsiːd ɒn ən ˌænɪkˈdəʊtᵊl ˈlɛvl 
ˈpraɪmərɪli juːzd tuː rɪˈlæks 
ˈdeɪli kəˈmjuːt 
ˈɑːftər ə lɒŋ deɪ 
fəˈɡɛt əˈbaʊt ðeər æŋˈzaɪətiz 
ˌsaɪənˈtɪfɪk rɪˈsɜːʧ hæz ʃəʊn 
ˈʒɒnrə 
rɪˈzʌlts ɪn rɪˈdjuːst blʌd ˈprɛʃə 
ɪnˈkriːst hɑːt reɪt ˌvɒləˈtɪləti 
kiː ˈɪndɪkeɪtəz ɒv ˈləʊə strɛs ˈlɛvlz 
ˌsɪʧuˈeɪʃᵊnz 
lɛs ˈkɒmən 
ˈævərɪʤ səbˈskraɪbə 
ˈhaɪə ˈfʌŋkʃᵊn 
rɪˈleɪts tuː ˈreɪzɪŋ wʌnz pəˈspɛktɪv ɒn laɪf 
ˈmiːnɪŋfʊl 
ˈlɪftɪd baɪ ðə ˈmɛlədi ænd ˈlɪrɪks 
ˈsɪmɪlə tuː ˈʌðə fɔːmz ɒv ɑːt 
ˈprɛzᵊnt ə weɪ ɒv ˈsiːɪŋ ðə wɜːld 
trænsˈfɔːmz ˈɔːdnri laɪf ˈɪntuː ən iːsˈθɛtɪk ɪksˈpɪərɪəns 
ˈpɒzətɪv 
lɒs 
əˈdɪkʃᵊn 
ˌnʌnðəˈlɛs ɪˈnəʊbᵊl 
ˈdɑːkɪst ˈɛlɪmənts ɒv ðə ˈhjuːmən kənˈdɪʃᵊn 
kənˈtɛnd 
məʊst ˈkruːʃəl eɪm 
ɪnˈrɪʧ 
ə pəˈtɪkjələr ɑːˈtɪstɪk ɪnˌtɜːprɪˈteɪʃᵊn 
pəˈtɪkjələ 
æz ðeɪ siː fɪt 

Vocabulary Practice

I recommend getting a pencil and piece of paper because that aids memory. Then write down the missing vocabulary from my sample answer in your notebook:

Many would argue that the p__________e of music is to help individuals d_________s and relax. In my opinion, although this is a k________n, it is more important for music to u_______t.

T_____________________________________________________________________t how it is used by most listeners. Though this is i_____________________y, most would c_____________________________l that music is p______________________x. Students and workers on their d_____________e and a_________________y listen to music to f__________________________s. S________________________n that listening to any g_______e of music r_________________________________________e and i______________________________y, k________________________________s. Though music is also used at parties as a way to celebrate and have fun, these s____________s are l_____________n overall for the a______________r to an application such as Spotify or Apple Music.

However, there is a h________________n of music that r__________________________________________e. When a person listens to a beautiful and m____________l song such as “Jealous Guy” by John Lennon or “No Woman, No Cry” by Bob Marley, they are being l_______________________s. S______________________t, they p_________________________________d that t____________________________________________________e. Some of these aesthetic interpretations by artists may not always be p__________e, such as when a singer sings about l____s or a__________n, but they n_______________e and allow for greater understanding of the d____________________________________n.

In conclusion, though music is one way of relaxing for many people, I would c_________d that it’s m_______________m is to e_______h the world through a__________________________________n. It is still possible for p___________r listeners to enjoy music a__________________t.

Listening Practice

Learn more about this topic by watching from YouTube below and practice with these activities:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3xdhqMqiaFY&pp=ygUbd2h5IHBlb3BsZSBsaXN0ZW5nIHRvIG11c2lj

Reading Practice

Read more about this topic and use these ideas to practice:

https://www.vulture.com/article/best-new-songs-2023.html

Speaking Practice

Practice with the following speaking questions from the real IELTS speaking exam:

Noise

1. Do you live in a noisy area?
2. How often to do overhear other people’s conversations?
3. Would you like to live in a quiter place?
4. Where are the noisiest places in your country?

Writing Practice

Practice with the related IELTS essay topics below:

In some countries, there are fewer young people who listen to or play classical music these days.

Why is this?

Should young people be encouraged to play or perform classical music?

IELTS Essay: Classical Music