You might get a childhood cue card topic in part two of your IELTS Speaking test. It could ask you to describe a toy you liked in your childhood.
Let’s take a look at the best way to answer a question like this. And below you can also see three good example answers (go straight to the answers here).
Different Kinds of Toys in English
To begin, here are the English words for some common different kinds of toys:
- Teddy bear
- Stuffed animal
- Plushie
- Toy car
- Toy train
- Toy soldier
- Doll
- Dollhouse
- Playhouse
- Toy dinosaur
- Cabbage Patch dolls
- Barbie
- Lego
- Hot Wheels
- Action figures
- Puzzles
- Games
- Board games
- Dominos
- Skipping rope
- Yoyo
- Crayons
- My Little Pony
- Rubik’s cube
- Star Wars figures
What You Can Say
Many students find this topic a little difficult to talk about for two minutes. For some of us, our childhoods were a long time ago.
- But it is possible. Here are some things you can say:
- What kind of toy it was
- What it looked like
- What it was made from
- How old you were when you had it
- Why you liked that toy
- How that toy made you feel
- Why it was important to you
- What kind of games you played with it
- Who you played games with
- Who gave you the toy
- When did you get it? (Christmas, birthday, vacation…)
- How long you had it for
- If the toy was like a friend to you
- Remember a time when you played a lot with that toy
- What you remember from that period of your life
- How your preferences in toys changed when you got older
- Other similar toys you liked and how they compared
- Anything else that comes to mind
Tell a Story Connected to the Toy
A great way to keep talking is to tell a short story (or two) connected to that toy somehow.
For this question, you could tell a story about:
- Games you remember playing with that toy
- A special day (or time of your life) when you received that toy
- Why that toy was important to you (how it made you feel)
- A sad time when you lost or broke that toy
- What was happening in your life at that time
- Anything else you can remember
Focus on the Past Tense
When asked about your childhood, you need to use good past tense.
Don’t worry about using very clever grammar in part two (that will only distract you).
Just focus on your past tense. Practice telling stories about your childhood with good past simple tense and past continuous tense.
You could also use ‘used to’ and ‘didn’t use to’ a lot in this answer. And also use ‘would’ for talking about games you would often play with your toy.
The more you practice telling little stories, the better your past tense will become.
Focus on Vocabulary
In part two, it’s best to focus on vocabulary too. Try to use some interesting band-seven words and phrases.
A good way to do this is by using word groups.
A word group is a collection of words and idioms you prepared that can describe one aspect of someone or something.
You could prepare a ‘fun object’ word group for this toy question.
This is a collection of words to describe any ‘fun’ thing. In this word group, you might have words like, ‘entertaining, interactive, amusing, a bundle of joy…’ and more.
You could also have a ‘precious object’ word group to describe your toy. This would have words like, ‘special, treasured, beloved, irreplaceable, my prized possession, near and dear to my heart…’ and more.
When you have prepared a word group like this, you can use it to answer many different part two questions. Learn more about word groups here.
Example Answers
Here are three good answers to this question. See how they use different word groups and try to borrow some vocabulary and ideas for your own answer.
Childhood Toy Cue Card 1
Describe a toy you liked in your childhood.
You should say:
- What kind of toy it was
- Who gave it to you
- How you used to play with this toy
And say why this toy was important to you.
I’m going to talk about a teddy bear I loved when I was very little. When I was about six or seven, there was a toy that I treasured more than anything else. It was a small, stuffed animal that was given to me on my 6th or 7th birthday by my favorite aunt.
You know, this toy was not just a plaything to me, it was my constant companion and friend. It meant the world to me, and I wouldn’t have traded it for anything in the world. I really loved that teddy bear.
The toy was a small, plush teddy bear that was incredibly soft to the touch. Its fur was a warm shade of brown, and its eyes were a bright, shiny black. I adored this toy from the moment I received it. It was special, important, and irreplaceable. I would take it with me everywhere I went, and it was always by my side when I needed comfort or company. I remember I would cuddle it when I felt lonely and it helped me feel better.
I can even remember the day that I received the toy. I can remember it as if it were yesterday! It was my birthday. Maybe my 6th or 7th birthday. And I was so excited to open presents. When I saw the teddy bear, I was overjoyed. I remember hugging it tightly and feeling and I instantly fell in love with it. From that moment on, it became like my best friend and it went everywhere with me. For a long time, we were inseparable.
I’d say that the toy was worth its weight in gold to me. It was near and dear to my heart and the pride and joy of my childhood. I really loved it dearly. I feel bad that I lost it a few years later!
Word Group Used: Precious Object
For this answer, we used the ‘precious object’ word group, which has lots of interesting words and phrases:
- Treasured
- Adored
- Special
- Important
- Beloved
- Cherished
- Valuable
- Irreplaceable
- Invaluable
- I loved it dearly
- I wouldn’t trade it for anything in the world
- Worth its weight in gold
- Near and dear to my heart
- The pride and joy of my childhood
- My prized possession
- I was inseparable from it
- I wouldn’t go anywhere without it
- I couldn’t live without it
- I don’t know what I’d do if I lost it
Learn more about how to use word groups here.
Childhood Toy Cue Card 2
Describe a toy you liked in your childhood.
You should say:
- When you had this toy
- What it looked like
- What kind of games you played with it
And say why you liked this toy so much.
I’m going to talk about a toy I remember liking a lot when I was a child. It was a “My Little Pony” toy. It had a rainbow-colored mane and tail and a charmingly whimsical expression. I thought it was so cute and enchanting and for a long time, it was my absolute favorite. I think my grandmother gave it to me for Christmas, but I can’t remember clearly how I got it.
That My Little Pony toy was so lovable and endearing that I carried it with me wherever I went. It was made of colorful plastic and also a soft and cuddly material. It had a hair-like mane and tail that I could comb and style and I remember I used to talk to it while I combed its tail and looked after it.
In my mind, it had its own personality, which was playful and irresistibly charming. It really was as cute as a button, with an appeal that made it stand out from other toys. And I had lots of toys at that time, but that My Little Pony became the princess of them all.
I can remember one day almost losing it. While I was playing outside with my pony toy, I accidentally dropped it in the bushes at the back of my garden, and I couldn’t find it. I was heartbroken and cried for hours. I couldn’t sleep that night and kept thinking about my cute pony lost somewhere outside. The next day, my father found the toy and brought it back to me. I was overjoyed to be reunited with my beloved pony toy, and it made my heart melt to see it again.
Word Group Used: Cute Object
For this answer, we focused on how cute the toy was. So we could use the ‘cute object’ word group, which you could also use to describe a pet like a kitten or puppy, or rabbit:
- Cute
- Adorable
- Cuddly
- Soft
- Fluffy
- Huggable
- Sweet
- Delightful
- Charming
- Enchanting
- Lovable
- Endearing
- Winsome
- Precious
- Playful
- Whimsical
- Magical
- Irresistible
- Appealing
- Heartwarming
- As cute as a button
- Like a ray of sunshine
- As precious as a jewel
- Makes my heart melt
- As soft as a cloud
- Cute as a teddy bear
- As cute as a bug’s ear
Childhood Toy Cue Card 3
Describe a toy you liked in your childhood.
You should say:
- What kind of toy it was
- How long you had it for
- What games you played with it
And say why this was one of your favorite toys.
As a child, I was fascinated by my yoyo collection. I found yoyos endlessly entertaining and highly amusing and the yoyo was definitely my favorite toy. Yoyos were always such a pleasure to play with and I had a blast playing with them.
For a few years when I was about eight or nine, whenever I would get my hands on a new yoyo, I would while away the hours playing with it. I couldn’t put it down, and I’d play it for hours on end. I remember I would really lose track of time, like I was mesmerized by it. Wow, I really enjoyed yoyos so much. It’s funny to remember that now.
I had a few different yoyos with different colors. Each one was exciting in its own way. I loved learning all the tricks and trying out new moves. It was challenging at times, but it was also absorbing and very stimulating for my mind.
I can remember one time, some kids at school organized a yoyo competition. I was thrilled to take part in it. We gathered in the schoolyard, and everyone showed off their skills. I remember feeling both nervous and excited as I stepped up to take my turn. I didn’t win but I think I came second or close to second, and I remember feeling really proud.
Looking back, I realize that my yoyo was more than just a toy. It was a way for me to express myself in a creative way, and to challenge myself also, and also to have fun with my friends. I think yoyos were a part of my childhood that I will always treasure.
Word Group Used: Fun Object
This answer used the ‘fun object’ word group. This is a great word group to use in so many answers. You can use these words to describe all kinds of fun games, things, activities, and memories. Here it is:
- Fun
- Enjoyable
- Entertaining
- Diverting
- Delightful
- Absorbing
- Addictive
- Exciting
- Thrilling
- Challenging
- Fascinating
- Stimulating
- Mesmerizing
- Captivating
- Exhilarating
- Endlessly entertaining
- Highly amusing
- Tons of fun
- A pleasure to have
- Had a blast playing with it
- I would while away the hours doing it
- I couldn’t put it down
- I’d play it for hours on end
- A source of great pleasure
- So much fun
- Would play for hours on end
- Would lose track of time
Now, It’s Your Turn
Are you ready to answer this question yourself?
First, choose a word group to use. Then memorize 10 or 15 of those words and phrases.
Next, sit down and turn on a voice recorder. Ask yourself to describe a toy that you liked in your childhood.
Spend 60 seconds writing down ideas and words and phrases you can use.
Then start talking! And try to keep going for two minutes without stopping.
When you’ve finished, listen to your recording. It’s important to hear the mistakes that you’re making.
Then repeat the question and answer again. Try to improve a little more each time.
This a really good way to prepare for a band-seven score in part two of your IELTS Speaking test.