Speaking Boost · A1 · Lesson 34 of 50
Speaking Boost A1 · Block 7: Abilities and Hobbies

Which instrument can you play?

Music is a hobby for many people. In this lesson you talk about instruments and music. You use play the + instrument, can, and like + -ing.

1

Warm-up

5 min
1.1

Music and instruments

Answer each question with 2–3 sentences.

  1. Can you play an instrument?
  2. Do you like music?
  3. What music do you listen to?
  4. Can you sing?
  5. Do you go to concerts?
  6. What instrument do you want to play?
2

Words and phrases

12 min
2.1

New words

Read each word and the example. Then say one sentence with the word.

2.2

Which word?

Choose the word that fits.

  1. A popular instrument with six strings that you play with your fingers is a .
  2. A big instrument with black and white keys is a .
  3. An instrument that you hold under your chin and play with a bow is a .
  4. You hit a with sticks.
  5. You press a on a piano to make a sound.
  6. A violin has got four .
  7. A group of people who play music together is a .
  8. A is an event where musicians play for people.
2.3

Opposites and pairs

Choose the right answer, then press Check answers.

  1. a guitar has got
  2. a piano has got black and white
  3. a drum is an instrument that you
  4. a band is a group that plays
  5. a concert is an
  6. to practise = to do something many
2.4

Useful phrases

Use these phrases to talk about music and instruments.

  • I play the...Я граю на...I play the guitar.
  • I can play the...Я вмію грати на...I can play the piano.
  • I can't play...Я не вмію грати на...I can't play the violin.
  • I like listening to music.Мені подобається слухати музику.I like listening to music in the evening.
  • I practise every day.Я граю щодня.I practise the piano every day.
  • Can you play...?Ти вмієш грати на...?Can you play the drums?
  • My favourite song is...Моя улюблена пісня...My favourite song is old.
  • I'd like to play...Я хотів би грати на...I'd like to play the violin.
3

Read and react

8 min
3.1

Instruments

Read the text. Hover over the dotted words for help.

Which instrument can you play?

Which instrument can you play? Many people play an instrument as a hobby. The guitar is one of the most popular instruments because it is not very big, and you can play it at home, at a party or in a band. A guitar usually has got six strings. A violin usually has got four strings, and you play it with a bow.

The piano has got eighty-eight black and white keys, and it is a good instrument for learning music. A drum is easy to start with, but it can be loud. In Ukraine, many people like the bandura, a traditional instrument with a lot of strings, and the sopilka, a kind of flute.

To play well, you need to practise. Teachers often say that ten or twenty minutes every day is better than two hours once a week. At first, you can play only simple songs, but after a few months you can play more.

Many people say that music makes them calm. Some people like playing, and other people prefer listening to music. A concert is a nice way to enjoy music with other people.

Which instrument do you want to play?

3.2

True or false?

  1. A guitar usually has got six strings.
  2. A violin usually has got four strings.
  3. The bandura is a Ukrainian instrument.
  4. You can play well without practice.
  5. Everybody likes loud music.
3.3

What do you think?

  1. Is it difficult to learn an instrument?
  2. Is music important in your life?
  3. What music do you like?
  4. Do you want to play in a band?
4

Grammar for speaking

10 min
4.1

Grammar for speaking

Play the + instrument

Use play the + instrument for music. Do not add -s to the instrument, and do not use a. You can also say can play.

I play the guitar. She plays the piano. He can play the violin. I can't play the drums very well.

Talking about music

Use like / love + -ing for activities: I like listening to music. Use practise for training. Ask Can you play...? and What music do you like?

I love listening to music. She likes playing the piano. I practise every day. Can you play the guitar? What music do you like?

Block 7 review

Use the grammar from this block.

can and can't for ability (L31) · Can you...? and well (L32) · play, do, go with sports and like + -ing (L33)

Common mistakes: say play the guitar (with the), do not add -s to the instrument, and use listening to after like. ✗ I play a piano → I play the piano. ✗ He plays the guitars → He plays the guitar. ✗ I like listen to music → I like listening to music.

4.2

Choose the right form

  1. I play
    guitar.
  2. She
    the piano.
  3. Can you
    the drums?
  4. He
    play the violin.
  5. I like
    to music.
  6. We
    every day.
  7. What music
    you like?
  8. She plays the guitar
    .
4.3

Fix the mistake

Each sentence has one mistake. Type the correct words.

  1. I play a piano. →
  2. He plays the guitars. →
  3. I like listen to music. →
  4. She can plays the violin. →
  5. Do you can play the drums? →
  6. He plays the guitar good. →
4.4

Talk about it

Answer with full sentences. Use play the, can and like + -ing.

  1. Can you play an instrument?
  2. What instrument do you want to play?
  3. What music do you like?
  4. Do you like listening to music?
  5. Do you go to concerts?
  6. What is your favourite song?
5

Three people and music, and a short talk

8 min
5.1

Three people and music

Three people tell about music. Compare them. Who plays in a band? Who practises every day? Which instrument can you play?

Person 1

Olya, 12

  • Plays the piano
  • Practises every day
  • Plays in a concert at school
  • Wants to play the violin
Person 2

Max, 17

  • Plays the guitar in a band
  • Can't sing very well
  • Loves rock music
  • Practises on Saturday
Person 3

Mr Bondar, 60

  • Plays the bandura
  • Teaches children
  • Loves old songs
  • Can play very well
5.2

Mini-talk: music and instruments

Your teacher will time you.

  1. Plan for one minute, then speak for one or two minutes.
  2. Part 1: say what instrument you can or can't play.
  3. Part 2: say what music you like and when you listen to it.
  4. Part 3: say what instrument you'd like to play and why.
2:00
6

Personal questions

10 min
6.1

Part I: Me

  1. Can you play an instrument?
  2. What instrument can you play?
  3. What instrument do you want to play?
  4. What music do you like?
  5. Do you like listening to music?
  6. Do you go to concerts?
  7. Can you sing?
  8. Do you practise every day?
6.2

Part II: Other people

  1. Who in your family plays an instrument?
  2. Who can sing?
  3. Who likes old songs?
  4. Who listens to music a lot?
  5. Who goes to concerts?
  6. Who plays the guitar?
6.3

Part III: A bit deeper

  1. Is it good for children to play an instrument?
  2. Is music important in life?
  3. Is it better to play or to listen?
  4. Is a concert better than a recording?
  5. Should music lessons be in every school?
7

Roleplay

12 min
7.1

At a music school

You

Student

You want to learn an instrument (your teacher is the teacher):
  • say what instrument you would like to play
  • say that you can't play it yet
  • ask how often to practise
  • say thank you
Speak for at least 1 minute. Use play the... and can.
Your teacher

Teacher

Says things like:
  1. What instrument do you like?
  2. Can you play?
  3. Practise every day.
  4. You are welcome.
7.2

Talking about music

You

Speaker

A friend (your teacher) asks about music:
  • say what music you like
  • say what instrument you can play
  • say when you listen to music
  • ask your friend a question
You do most of the talking. Use: I like listening to... · I can play the... · Do you...?
Your teacher

Friend

Says things like:
  1. What music do you like?
  2. Can you play an instrument?
  3. When do you listen?
  4. I like jazz.
8

Homework

at home

Your homework score

Do all four exercises, then press Check all homework. Correct answers will appear next to your mistakes.

– / 30
H1

Complete with a word

guitarpianoviolindrumkeystringbandconcert
  1. A popular instrument with six strings that you play with your fingers is a .
  2. A big instrument with black and white keys is a .
  3. An instrument that you hold under your chin and play with a bow is a .
  4. You hit a with sticks.
  5. You press a on a piano to make a sound.
  6. A violin has got four .
  7. A group of people who play music together is a .
  8. A is an event where musicians play for people.
H2

Choose the correct word

  1. I play piano.
  2. She the guitar.
  3. Can you the violin?
  4. He play the drums.
  5. I like to music.
  6. We every day.
  7. What music you like?
  8. She plays the piano .
H3

Correct or incorrect?

Decide if each sentence is grammatically correct.

  1. I play the piano.
  2. I play a piano.
  3. He plays the guitar.
  4. He plays the guitars.
  5. I like listening to music.
  6. I like listen to music.
  7. She can play the violin.
H4

Match the two halves

  1. I play
  2. I can play
  3. I can't play
  4. I like
  5. I practise
  6. Can you
  7. My favourite song

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© Yevheniia Kolesnykova, Academy of Languages. All rights reserved. No copying or reuse without written permission.