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?

170 unique answers with expert feedback

How did your love for toys influence your interests as you grew up?

My love for toys, especially gadgets like remote-controlled cars, sparked my interest in technology and problem-solving. It led me to explore engineering and robotics in school, and I still enjoy working with gadgets today.

Do you think playing with toys is important for children's development?

Absolutely! Playing with toys fosters creativity, problem-solving skills, and social interaction. It helps children learn to express themselves and develop fine motor skills, which are crucial for their overall development.

What role do you think nostalgia plays in our attachment to childhood toys?

Nostalgia plays a significant role as it evokes fond memories and feelings of comfort. Toys like my stuffed animal remind me of simpler times and the joy of childhood, creating a lasting emotional connection.

Band 7

00:00

I had a beautiful doll in my childhood. My mama's friend gifted me the doll on my birthday. It has been with me since 25 years. It was dressed in a yellow gown with two beautiful braids and pretty eyelashes. Moreover, she was beautiful. She had a mic in her hand and used to sing songs for all the family. I used to place her on the cupboard so that nobody can touch it. Even though my friends wanted to play with it, but I did not allow anybody to play with my doll. Furthermore, I used to take her beside me while sleeping. I treated her. I treated it like my family. It wasn't a doll for me, but an emotion.

Follow up questions

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

Apart from the doll, I also loved playing with building blocks and action figures. The building blocks allowed me to create different structures, while the action figures sparked my imagination as I created stories and adventures for them.

How do you think toys influence childhood development?

Toys play a crucial role in childhood development as they encourage creativity, social skills, and emotional growth. They help children learn to share, cooperate, and express their feelings, which are essential skills for their future.

Do you think children today have different toys compared to your childhood?

Yes, I believe children today have a wider variety of toys, especially electronic ones. While traditional toys like dolls and building blocks are still popular, many kids now have access to video games and interactive toys that can enhance their learning and entertainment.

Band 7

00:00

So, I would say my favourite toy, when I was a child, was the remote-controlled helicopter that I got from my father. As a child, I was always into remote-controlled toys, anything that could be remotely operated with a controller. I don't know, I was so fascinated with the idea of having a toy that you could move where you want to, how you want to, when you want to with just a remote. It made me feel good knowing that I have the control and power over where it's going, it's movement in particular. How often do I play with it? Every day after I come back from school, I wouldn't even get changed, I wouldn't even get refreshed, wash my hands or face, I wouldn't even shower. The first thing I did after coming back from school is I took the remote, I turned the helicopter on, and I flew it all over the house. And sometimes my parents would get sick of me playing with it all the time because I was a very messy driver. I would just be rotating the lever, whatever it is that's present on the remote to control its movement and directions. I used to rotate it however I want to, not really considering what's around where I am, what the room is in. So it was sometimes hit the walls, paintings, the portraits that my family had hung in the walls, sometimes even my own parents.

Follow up questions

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

Apart from the remote-controlled helicopter, I also loved building blocks and action figures. Building blocks allowed me to create anything I imagined, while action figures let me engage in imaginative play, creating stories and adventures. Each toy had its own charm and contributed to my creativity.

How did playing with toys impact your childhood?

Playing with toys like the helicopter helped develop my hand-eye coordination and problem-solving skills. It also encouraged my imagination, as I would often create scenarios and challenges for myself. Overall, it was a significant part of my childhood that shaped my interests.

Do you think toys are important for children's development?

Yes, I believe toys play a crucial role in children's development. They stimulate creativity, enhance motor skills, and teach social interaction when kids play together. Toys can also introduce concepts of physics and engineering, especially with remote-controlled devices, making learning fun.

Practice other cue cards

Describe when someone gave you something you really wanted /a gift your received

View answers

Band 7

00:00

One of my favorite toys from childhood was a doll house that I made myself for a school workshop. It wasn't a store-bought toy but something I created using cardboard, colored paper and small decorative items. I remember spending several evenings designing and assembling it with help of my parents. We decided to work among ourselves like mom built the walls while my dad focused on painting and decorating the rooms and I was also on painting and decorating. I also added tiny furniture made from matchboxes and cloth pieces which made the doll house look quite realistic. What made the toy so special was the effort and creativity that went into making it and also the time I spent with my dad and my mom because it was very engaging and interactive. So unlike other toys that I played with and eventually forgot, this one felt truly mine because I had built it from scratch. It taught me the value of patience and teamwork and it sparked my interest in art, even art at young age because my favorite thing to do now is drawing and painting. So even today when I think about that doll house, I feel nostalgic because it reminds me of a time when I could turn simple materials into something beautiful through imagination and hard work.

Follow up questions

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

Apart from the doll house, I loved playing with action figures and building blocks. Action figures allowed me to create stories and adventures, while building blocks helped me develop my creativity and spatial awareness. Each toy offered a unique way to engage my imagination.

How do you think playing with toys impacts childhood development?

Playing with toys is crucial for childhood development as it fosters creativity, problem-solving skills, and social interaction. Toys like my doll house encouraged teamwork and communication with my parents, while others helped me learn about structure and design, enhancing my cognitive skills.

Do you think handmade toys are better than store-bought ones?

I believe handmade toys can be more meaningful than store-bought ones. They often carry personal stories and memories, like my doll house, which was a product of teamwork and creativity. Handmade toys can also encourage children to use their imagination and resourcefulness.

Band 7

00:00

The toy that I liked the most in my childhood was a red teddy bear. It was given to me by my parents as a Christmas gift. And I adored it because gifts were far and few during my childhood. So when I finally got the cute little red teddy bear I was very elated with the same. I used to play with it once in a while but more than that it was more like a comfort factor for me where I could keep the teddy bear with me and I could feel comfortable. It was my comfort zone when I was tensed and it made sure that I kept it safe. So as I grew older this red teddy bear was less used. It was not used as often. But it still holds a fond memory in my mind because even after I moved out of my home and I came back whenever I see the red teddy bear I remember the times of my youth when I used to keep it in my hands. It used to give me a strong sense of comfort and a strong sense of well-being and a feeling that all will be well with the world. Because it just felt like this was something that was permanent and which helped me ground myself. So I thank my parents for getting me such a thoughtful gift and though it is just a small teddy bear it still is one of my most favorite memories in my mind. The minute I recall about it I remember the happier days and the more safer days, comfortable days that I had during my childhood where there was less driving and more of enjoying. Thank you.

Follow up questions

What other toys did you enjoy as a child?

Besides my red teddy bear, I also loved building blocks and action figures. I enjoyed creating different structures with blocks and playing imaginative games with my action figures. Each toy had its own special place in my childhood, contributing to my creativity and playtime.

How do you think toys impact childhood development?

Toys play a crucial role in childhood development by fostering creativity, social skills, and emotional well-being. They encourage imaginative play, help children learn problem-solving skills, and provide comfort during stressful times, much like my teddy bear did for me.

Do you think children today have different toys compared to your childhood?

Yes, I believe children today have a wider variety of toys, especially with technology. While traditional toys like teddy bears still exist, many kids now have electronic gadgets and video games. This shift may influence how they play and interact compared to my childhood experiences.

Show all 170 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.

Not Mentioning Frequency of Play

Overlooking how often you played with the toy can make your answer feel incomplete. This detail adds depth to your childhood experience.

Tip

Include specific times or occasions when you played with the toy to illustrate its importance in your daily life.

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.