This glossary can help you prepare for the IELTS writing tasks related to music as entertainment.
barrier
noun
A fence or other obstacle that prevents movement or access.
Example: In the same way that music broke down racial barriers in the 20th century, the 21st century will be the century of inclusion.
consume
verb
Buy (goods or services).
Example: Those that argue for narrower view of music can easily highlight the ways in which music is consumed today.
deeply
adjective
Intensely.
Example: The end results of all that listening is not those individuals think deeply about the lyrics or in any way question their actions, attitudes, or prejudices.
deviant.
adjective
Departing from usual or accepted standards, especially in social or sexual behaviour.
Example: Elton John was an early example of an artist whose sexuality was fluid at a time when many viewed this behaviour as deviant.
fringe
adjective
Not part of the mainstream; unconventional, peripheral, or extreme.
Example: In my opinion, ostensibly most people listen to music for fun, however it still opens up pathways for fringe elements of society to become mainstream.
lifestyle
noun
The way in which a person lives.
Example: A person listening to and following artists in any genre today accepts this once alternative lifestyles as the norm.
ostensibly
adverb
As appears or is stated to be true, though not necessarily so; apparently.
Example: In my opinion, ostensibly most people listen to music for fun, however it still opens up pathways for fringe elements of society to become mainstream.
societal
adjective
Relating to society or social relations.
Example: There are those who claim that music is solely for entertainment purposes while others feel it has larger societal implications.
spotlight
noun
A lamp projecting a narrow, intense beam of light directly on to a place or person, especially a performer on stage.
Example: While there is some truth to the argument above, music turns a positive spotlight on previously underrepresented demographic groups.
streaming
noun
A method of transmitting or receiving data (especially video and audio material) over a computer network as a steady, continuous flow, allowing playback to start while the rest of the data is still being received.
Example: They listen using streaming services like YouTube, Apple Music and Spotify to relax throughout the average day.