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Music, musicians and musical instruments

Explore music, musicians and musical instruments through 5. multiple choice, 6. listening, 7. true / false, 9. short answer, and other interactive activities in this lesson.

A2 Elementary60 minutesEnglishTeacher

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1. Image

Look at the picture. What instruments can you name?

Teacher note: Look at the picture. What instruments can you name?

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2. Vocabulary

  • lyrics
    слова песни
  • choir
    хор
  • musician
    музыкант
  • singer
    певец / певица
  • band
    группа
  • concert
    концерт
  • performance
    выступление
  • melody
    мелодия
  • rhythm
    ритм
  • instrument
    музыкальный инструмент
  • guitar
    гитара
  • piano
    пианино
  • drums
    барабаны
  • violin
    скрипка
  • flute
    флейта
  • trumpet
    труба
  • audience
    зрители, публика
  • practice
    репетировать, тренироваться
  • play an instrument
    играть на музыкальном инструменте
  • sing in a choir
    петь в хоре

Teacher note: Vocabulary set for music, instruments, and performance words, with Russian translations for each item.

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3. Grammar

Present Simple for Music Facts and Habits

We use the present simple to talk about:

  • facts that are generally true
  • habits and regular actions

1) Form

Affirmative

  • I/You/We/They play the guitar.
  • He/She plays the piano.

Negative

  • I/You/We/They do not (don’t) listen to music at work.
  • He/She does not (doesn’t) sing in a band.

Questions

  • Do you listen to music every day?
  • Does she play the violin?

2) When we use it

Use the present simple for:

  • things people do often
  • routines
  • general facts about music

3) Example sentences

  • A musician practices every day.
  • My brother plays the drums.
  • Our local band plays at small concerts on Saturdays.
  • I listen to jazz in the evening.
  • She doesn’t play an instrument.
  • He doesn’t go to concerts very often.
  • Does your friend sing in a band?
  • Do they like live music?

4) Spelling rule for he / she / it

Add -s to the verb:

  • play → plays
  • sing → sings
  • listen → listens
  • go → goes

5) Common mistakes

  • ✕

    Wrong: He play the guitar.
    Correct: He plays the guitar.

  • ✕

    Wrong: She don’t listen to music.
    Correct: She doesn’t listen to music.

  • ✕

    Wrong: Does he plays in a band?
    Correct: Does he play in a band?

  • ✕

    Wrong: I am listen to music every day.
    Correct: I listen to music every day.

6) Quick check

Choose the correct form:

  • My sister plays / play the violin.
  • They listen / listens to music after dinner.
  • Do / Does he work in a music shop?
  • The singer doesn’t / don’t perform on Mondays.

Teacher note: Grammar explanation for the present simple, focused on music facts and habits. Includes clear rules, examples, and common mistakes for A2 learners.

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4. Text

Local musician profile

Maya Reed is a local musician in my town. She works in a bookstore in the morning, and she plays the violin in the evening. Maya also sings in a small band with two friends. They practice on Tuesdays and Fridays in a community room near the park.

Maya does not play loud music at home. She likes calm songs and short practice sessions after dinner. On Saturdays, she performs at a café. Many people come to listen to her music, and some people ask for her favourite song again.

Maya says music is part of her daily life. She does not want to be famous. She wants to play well and make people happy.

Grammar note

We use the present simple for routines and facts:

  • She plays the violin in the evening.
  • They practice on Tuesdays and Fridays.
  • She does not play loud music at home.
Context note

In many towns, musicians perform in cafés, small clubs, parks, and community rooms, not only in big concert halls.

Discuss
  1. What does Maya do in the evening?
  2. Where does she perform on Saturdays?
  3. Do you prefer small live music places or big concerts?

Teacher note: A short reading profile about a local café performer who plays the violin and sings at small community events. It includes simple context, a brief present simple grammar note, and discussion questions.

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5

5. Multiple choice

Read the text and choose the best answer for each question.

1.

Where does the musician work in the morning?

2.

What instrument does she play in the evening?

3.

Who does she perform with?

4.

When do they practice?

5.

Where do they practice?

Teacher note: A 5-question reading comprehension quiz about a short text on a local musician and her weekly routine.

Answer key (teachers only)

Students do not see this. Each line is the expected answer for that item.

  • Q1B. In a bookstore
  • Q2A. The violin
  • Q3B. Two friends
  • Q4B. On Tuesdays and Fridays
  • Q5A. In a community room near the park

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6

6. Listening

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Listening

Listen to two adults talking about music. Then answer the questions.

  1. What kind of music does Lena usually listen to on weekdays?
  2. When does Mark often listen to music?
  3. Does Lena play any instrument?
  4. What instrument does Mark play a little?
  5. Where did Mark go last Saturday evening?
  6. How did Mark feel at the concert?
Teacher audio script
Lena: I usually listen to soft music on weekdays. It helps me start the day calmly.
Mark: Nice. I listen to music in the car on my way to work, and sometimes at home after dinner.
Lena: Do you play any instrument?
Mark: A little. I can play the guitar, but I am not very good.
Lena: That is still great. I do not play an instrument, but I like live music.
Mark: Me too. I went to a small concert last Saturday.
Lena: Really? Who played there?
Mark: A local band played jazz and pop songs.
Lena: Sounds fun. Was the place busy?
Mark: Yes, the audience was small, but everyone was happy.
Lena: I like concerts when the music is close and clear.
Mark: Exactly. I felt relaxed and cheerful after the show.
Lena: Maybe we can go to a concert together one day.
Mark: That would be nice.

Teacher note: A short, friendly listening dialogue about music habits, an instrument, and a recent concert. Includes clear post-listening comprehension questions for A2 adult learners.

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7. True / false

Read each statement and choose True or False.

  • One speaker listens to music in the morning before work.

  • Both speakers prefer the same music style.

  • One speaker says music helps them relax.

  • Neither speaker listens to music on weekends.

  • One speaker likes to hear music while cooking.

Teacher note: True/false check for the listening dialogue about music preferences and listening habits.

Answer key (teachers only)

Students do not see this. Each line is the expected answer for that item.

  • 1. One speaker listens to music in the morning before work.True
  • 2. Both speakers prefer the same music style.False
  • 3. One speaker says music helps them relax.True
  • 4. Neither speaker listens to music on weekends.False
  • 5. One speaker likes to hear music while cooking.True

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8. Speaking

Class speaking activity — read, then practise aloud with your teacher or partner

Pair discussion

Take turns asking and answering the questions below. Give short full answers when you can.

Ask your partner

  1. What kind of music do you enjoy most?
  2. Do you ever listen to music at home, in the car, or at work?
  3. Can you sing, or do you only listen?
  4. Do you play an instrument now, or did you play one in the past?
  5. Which instrument sounds nice to you: guitar, piano, drums, or violin?
  6. Have you ever been to a concert?
  7. Do you prefer a band or a solo singer?
  8. What music helps you relax after a busy day?

Useful speaking phrases

  • I like ...
  • I usually listen to ...
  • Yes, I can / No, I can’t.
  • I play ...
  • I don’t play an instrument.
  • I went to a concert once.
  • I prefer ... because ...

Pair challenge

After both students answer, say one thing you learned about your partner’s music habits.

Teacher note: Pair discussion practice on music habits, preferences, and simple personal experiences with instruments and live music.

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9. Short answer

Write short answers. Use 1–3 sentences for each question.

1.

How often do you listen to music in a normal week?

2.

Where do you usually hear music during the day?

3.

Do you play an instrument now or in the past?

4.

Which singer or band do you enjoy most?

Teacher note: A2 short-answer practice on personal music habits, with four simple prompts about listening, instruments, and favorite performers.

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10. Writing task

Write a short paragraph about your music habits, favorite instruments, and concerts. Use present simple and a few frequency expressions.

Aim for at least 60 words.

Teacher note: Writing task on music habits, favorite instruments, and concerts using present simple and frequency expressions.

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11. Grammar practice

Choose the correct word for each sentence.

1.

My sister ___ to music on the bus.

2.

We ___ the drums at home on Saturdays.

3.

He ___ goes to a live concert after work.

4.

The band ___ practice on Monday mornings.

Teacher note: Grammar practice on present simple forms and frequency adverbs using music routines and habits. Students choose the correct verb form or adverb in short A2-level sentences.

Answer key (teachers only)

Students do not see this. Each line is the expected answer for that item.

  • Q1B. listens
  • Q2A. play
  • Q3A. often
  • Q4A. do not

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12. Image

Review the new words and grammar before you finish.

Teacher note: Review the new words and grammar before you finish.

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13

13. Board game

Student's turn (preview)

Student

Roll

Teacher

Preview — dice sync when the lesson is live

Play in pairs: move around the board, say the instrument or music word, and make a present simple sentence. Collect points for correct answers and finish at the concert!

Teacher note: Play in pairs: move around the board, say the instrument or music word, and make a present simple sentence. Collect points for correct answers and finish at the concert!

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