Talk about a toy you liked in your childhood.: IELTS Speaking Cue Card

You should say

What was the toy?
Who gave it to you?
How often did you play with it?

78 unique answers with expert feedback

What other toys did you enjoy playing with as a child?

In addition to the remote-controlled car and Lego set, I also loved playing with Barbie dolls and board games. Each toy offered a different experience, from creating stories with dolls to the competitive fun of board games with family.

How did your favorite toys influence your interests as an adult?

My love for gadgets and problem-solving sparked by the remote-controlled car has stayed with me. I enjoy technology and engineering now, and the creativity from building with Lego has influenced my approach to design and innovation in my career.

Do you think toys play an important role in childhood development?

Absolutely! Toys encourage creativity, problem-solving, and social skills. They help children express themselves and learn through play, which is essential for their emotional and cognitive development.

Band 7

00:00

When I was a young child, my beloved grandfather gifted me a soft, adorable panda toy that became my most cherished companion the moment I was instantly captivated by its beautiful black and white fur, button eyes, and gentle smile. This panda wasn't just a toy, it was a symbol of my grandfather's love and affection. I would carry this special toy everywhere, to school, on family vacations, to relatives' house. Every adventurer became more exciting with my panda by my side, and I would spend countless hours playing, imagining incredible stories, and creating magical worlds. Together, the toy became my most concerned friend, providing comfort during uncertain moments and bringing joy to my childhood. Whenever I hugged the panda, I could almost feel my grandfather's warm embrace and hear his loving voice even now. Years later, this toy remains a treasured possession, representing not just a childhood memory but the beautiful, unbreakable bond I shared with my grandfather. The panda toy is a tangible reminder of his love, kindness, and the precious moments we shared during my early years.

Follow up questions

How did your relationship with your grandfather influence your childhood?

My grandfather played a significant role in my childhood. He was always there to support me, share stories, and teach me valuable lessons. His love and attention made me feel secure and cherished, which is why the panda toy symbolizes our special bond.

Do you think toys play an important role in childhood development?

Absolutely! Toys like my panda encourage imagination, creativity, and emotional development. They provide comfort and companionship, helping children navigate their feelings and experiences. Playing with toys also fosters social skills when children interact with others.

What other toys did you enjoy during your childhood?

In addition to my panda, I loved building blocks and action figures. Building blocks allowed me to create and explore my imagination, while action figures sparked my interest in storytelling and adventure. Each toy contributed to different aspects of my playtime.

IELTS Cue Cards asked last week

Reported by Leap students who gave IELTS

Describe your favourite food at a traditional festival or a special event in your country

Reported by

Anonymous student Band 7.5

Pitampura Test Centre, New Delhi

Answer

I like to taste different types of cuisine. Here I would like to talk about my favorite dish at my traditional festival of Onam which is Sadya. Sadya is popular in my city. We are experimenting these cuisines on Onam festival day. Onam is a famous festival in my city. All family members get together in my home and we make a delicious Sadya. There are many ingredients includes that Sadya. Moreover, we make a big feast that day as well as we create a lot of memories together and we wear that day the traditional dress called Sari and men wear the Dhotis. That festival is really important to us because the whole day we are conducting different kinds of games at our homes and all the family members came together. It's a memorable day in my life. This is the festival. We are making the Sambar and Aviyal. These all the kinds of foods are making with the vegetables.

Talk about a toy you liked in your childhood

Reported by

Anonymous student Band 8

Sector 34 Test Centre, Chandigarh

Answer

The toy which I liked in my childhood was a panda doll, which makes me pleasant and makes me more blush. The pandas are the most beautiful creatures of the world, which looks gigantic and has pooshy cheeks and they are like stars in the clouds and they dream in me. Furthermore, these have been given by my father. My father is a very very beautiful artistic person, who makes me think of that. Every day you will face every difficulties and make you suffer and move forward. Pandas are always seen in Japanese countries. It is my lifelong dream to visit a Japanese country and click a photo with the original pandas, which makes sounds better.

Describe a time you were in a place where you didn't know the local language

Reported by

Anonymous student Band 6.5

Whitefield Test Center, Bengaluru

Answer

As India is a very large country full of diversity, so there are many places which have their own language and speak their native language. The place which I visited and I didn't know about their language was Leladakh, which is about 300 km away from my hometown and it is a very good place as it consists of different kind of trees, animals and have many scenic views and I visited over there last year in summers as it was the best time to visit because it has many, it was cold over there and we had summers in our area so it was the best time to visit over there and I went over there with my whole family.

Describe a time when your friend damaged something you owned

Reported by

Anonymous student Band 7

Begumpet Test Centre, Hyderabad

Answer

When I was a kid, I had a little pencil box which had these four buttons which gave the pencil box an operative use. When you press the button, the box would open up. When you press the second button, a little part of it would slide out. Basically it was just a little electronical and a fun thing to have and I owned it when I was in 6th. One day after break, I was standing and talking there with one of my friends and another friend of mine was running through the hallway and accidentally she pushed my shoulder and my pencil box hit the ground and it broke into multiple pieces to the point that it was not functional anymore.

Describe a book you recently read

Reported by

Anonymous student Band 7.5

CBD Belapur Test Centre, Navi Mumbai

Answer

It Ends With Us is a book I read recently. It's by the author Colleen Hoare. It's mainly a story about two teenagers, Atlas and Lily, and how they just handle their life going through high school, adolescence, and just domestic violence at home. Both of them come from very, very different families. However, they have one common determining factor between them, which is domestic violence. The abuse that they've seen their moms go through is just insane, and they connect through that on a different level. They're actually in the same high school, but they never speak to each other until Atlas actually crashes into an empty house next to Lily's villa. When Atlas is homeless and he doesn't have anywhere to go, he just comes and breaks into the house next to Lily's, and Lily helps him with all the daily necessities like clothes and food, medicines and stuff. Furthermore, their friendship blossoms into love, but it doesn't really fructify as Atlas has to leave. This book really gave me a lot of knowledge about domestic abuse and how to deal with it.

While some classic toys remain popular, many children today are more drawn to electronic gadgets and video games. However, traditional toys like dolls and action figures still have a place, as they foster imaginative play.

Show all 78 answers

Cue 1:What was the toy?

Start by describing the toy in detail, including its appearance and features.
Explain why this toy was special to you and how it made you feel.

Example

The toy I cherished the most during my childhood was a bright red remote-controlled car. It was small, sleek, and had shiny wheels that sparkled in the sunlight. I loved how I could control it with a simple remote, making it zoom around the garden and perform little stunts.

Cue 2:Who gave it to you?

Mention the person who gifted you the toy and your relationship with them.
Share any memorable moments associated with receiving the toy.

Example

My uncle gave me this toy on my seventh birthday. He always knew how to pick the perfect gifts for me, and I remember the excitement on my face when I unwrapped it. He smiled and said, 'This will take you on many adventures!'

Cue 3:How often did you play with it?

Discuss the frequency of play and any specific times or occasions you enjoyed playing with it.
Reflect on how playing with this toy impacted your childhood.

Example

I played with my remote-controlled car almost every day after school. It became a routine for me to race it around the garden with my friends. Those moments were filled with laughter and joy, and it truly made my childhood memorable.

Conclusion

Summarize your feelings about the toy and its significance in your childhood.
Mention how it has influenced your interests or hobbies as you grew up.

Example

In conclusion, my remote-controlled car was not just a toy; it was a source of happiness and creativity during my childhood. It sparked my interest in technology and engineering, which I still pursue today.

Following this structure will ensure you cover all the essential points while providing a clear and engaging response to the cue card topic.

Tips to answer this Cue Card

1: Being Vague About the Toy

Candidates often provide unclear descriptions of the toy, which can make their answer less engaging. Specific details help the examiner understand your experience better.

Tip

Describe the toy in detail, including its color, size, and what made it special to you.

2: Neglecting Personal Connection

Failing to explain who gave you the toy and why it was meaningful can lead to a lack of personal touch in your response. Personal stories resonate more.

Tip

Share a brief story about the person who gave you the toy and what it meant to your relationship.