Review Test 5 Audio Script

You hear an expert on music talking to teachers about its I can give you specific examples to further support the
importance. educational value of music. Most of you will have heard
about that very famous and inspirational project in South
Good morning everyone. The focus of today’s talk is the
America which made music tuition available freely to
importance of music, and in particular the part it plays
disadvantaged young people. And there was another one
in the education of young children. I think it’s important
… less high-profile as it hasn’t resulted in a world-famous
to focus on this because music education is surprisingly
orchestra … in Northern Europe, that’s shown that music
undervalued in society nowadays. A high percentage of
lessons have had an amazing effect on children’s ability
the population feel negative about its role, and personally
in mathematics. And when it came to teaching foreign
I imagine that the majority of people who expressed
languages, singing appeared to improve young children’s
these opinions have never actually studied music.
grasp of rhythm and intonation … quite an achievement
I’d like to begin by suggesting you completely forget I’d say.
about the distinction between classical music and
The research findings are perhaps less surprising, but
popular music, and consider music in its broadest
nonetheless they’re still worth recounting. One school
possible sense from a simple tune played on a flute to a
reported that children who took part in lessons learning
full-scale orchestra. Nowadays we’re constantly exposed
to play the recorder, as well as simply enjoying the activity
to music, eliminating the need to ever attend a formal
and having improved coordination, showed that they
performance. For instance, on vacation recently, I was
were better able to get on with their peers when it came
struck by the artistic flair of some music being played in
to group activities. The improved sense of teamwork from
the street on tin cans. Each one was filled with rice to
this was very apparent.
varying depths so combined, they constituted a musical
scale and the player tapped them with a spoon. The effect Finally, I want to mention some work being done in music
was extraordinary! The chances are you’ll hear music in education with children who have to deal with some
some form or other when you go into a shopping mall, a sort of impairment. Children who are profoundly deaf
restaurant or wander around a gallery! can nevertheless be taught to read music and respond to
rhythm. I never fail to be impressed when I hear just how
So how exactly does music affect us from birth onwards?
many accomplished musicians, especially percussionists,
Well, research shows that babies respond to music in a
are deaf. And in some cases, children who are born blind
similar fashion to responding to the stimulus of smiles.
have a wonderfully musical capability, as if the absence of
I’m sure many of you will have seen or heard adverts
one sense sharpens all the others. Such children are often
for music specifically targeted at children under the age
referred to as musical savants.
of one. And just last week I read a fascinating study of
people who had been in jail for a number of years. They Now, if any of you have questions at this point I’d be
were encouraged to stage a musical, and the whole happy to answer them …
exercise had a hugely positive effect on their behaviour.
OK … so what are the main advantages of teaching music
from a teacher’s perspective? Well show me a young
person who isn’t into pop or rap music or who doesn’t
want to download the latest hits created to appeal to the
masses. Using this type of music in class will establish
a connection between you and the children you’re
teaching. There’s a wide body of evidence based on
global research that children who have some form of
music education go on to develop increased levels of
confidence. And, perhaps more importantly, their levels
of concentration show a marked improvement, which
from a teaching point of view is obviously a considerable
bonus.

Expert IELTS 7.5 Teacher’s Online Materials © Pearson Education Limited 2017 Photocopiable 1
Review Test 5 Answer Key
Listening Writing
1 education Sample answer
2 classical
The economy of a country reflects the people in that
3 spoon
country. In recent times, it has become apparent that
4 smiles
some people earn extremely high salaries, while others
5 behaviour
seem just about able to make ends meet. Some people
6 connection
are of the opinion that this distribution of money is good
7 concentration
for the economy of the country. Others, however, believe
8 South America
that governments should restrict earnings beyond a
9 group activities
certain level.
10 Deaf
Firstly, we must acknowledge that some people are
Reading more highly skilled than others. Such people should be
rewarded with higher salaries. Furthermore, paying a high
1 True
salary to certain workers may be a way of deterring skilled
2 Not Given
and talented workers from leaving the country. High
3 True
salaries are also vital in enticing people to do some of the
4 False
more dangerous or unpleasant jobs in society.
5 B
6 A There are, however, certain disadvantages to paying high
7 D salaries. It can be disheartening for people to know that
8 C while they earn a low salary, there are others being paid
9 D huge amounts, and often apparently unjustifiably so. This
10 A leads to inequality and an uneven distribution of wealth.
If there were some limitation on the salaries that workers
could earn, then the money that is available could be
ploughed into funding public services, which would
benefit society as a whole.
In my opinion, an individual who has worked hard to
progress in his or her career deserves to reap the financial
rewards. However, care must be taken to ensure that
while people are allowed to capitalise on opportunities,
the less disadvantaged in society are not marginalised.

Speaking
Please use the IELTS Speaking assessment criteria to score
your students.

Expert IELTS 7.5 Teacher’s Online Materials © Pearson Education Limited 2017 Photocopiable 2