PTE Academic · Write Essay

Percussion Traditions and Innovation

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  • PTE Academic
1

Traditional Percussion in Modern Music

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You will have 20 minutes to plan, write and revise an essay about the topic below. Your response will be judged on how well you develop a position, organise your ideas, present supporting details, and control the elements of standard written English. You should write 200–300 words.

Some cultural historians argue that incorporating traditional indigenous percussion instruments into modern commercial music dilutes their sacred heritage, while others believe this practice helps keep ancient musical traditions alive. To what extent do you agree or disagree with the integration of traditional percussion into contemporary genres? Give reasons and examples for your answer.

0 words · target 200–300 · 20 minutes in the test · spell-check is off, as in the test

Questions 2–3

You will have 20 minutes to plan, write and revise an essay about the topic below. Your response will be judged on how well you develop a position, organise your ideas, present supporting details, and control the elements of standard written English. You should write 200–300 words.

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2

Digital Drums in Music Education

Some educators advocate replacing traditional acoustic drum sets with electronic percussion pads in school music curricula, arguing that digital sets reduce noise and lower maintenance costs. Others maintain that learning on acoustic instruments remains indispensable for proper technique and musical expression. Discuss the advantages and disadvantages of both approaches and give your opinion.

3

Therapeutic Percussion in Healthcare

Group drumming sessions have increasingly been introduced into healthcare settings to treat anxiety, depression, and social isolation. However, some medical specialists contend that non-verbal musical therapies lack rigorous clinical evidence compared to conventional psychological treatments. Do the benefits of drumming therapy outweigh its limitations? Support your position with relevant arguments and examples.

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