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IELTS Speaking Part 2: IELTS Cue Card/ Candidate Task Card.

[The topic for your talk will be written on a card which the examiner will hand over to you. Read it carefully and then make some brief notes.]

Describe a typical day in your life when you were a child.

You should say:

• what you did and ate
• what sorts of game or sports you played
• who looked after you

and explain what was most enjoyable about it.

[Instruction: You will have to talk about the topic for one to two minutes. You have one minute to think about what you are going to say. You can make some notes to help you if you wish.]

Model Answer 1:

As a child, my typical days were like those of most other children, who were attending an elementary school, except, of course, on the days when the weekend arrived, because all I used to do during my weekend was mostly sleep.

Anyway, my typical day started at around 7:00 am when I used to get ready to go to my school after freshening up and eating my breakfast. By the way, I really enjoyed having milk and cereal as my breakfast, but sometimes I had to eat just a plain vegetable sandwich with a glass of milk when there was no cereal. After arriving at my school, of course, I needed to attend classes and other school activities for a marathon 7 hours that included an hour of lunch break and 30 minutes of physical exercise, which, by the way, I never really liked. But I liked the tiffin, provided by my school, of boiled egg, potato chips and a banana or apple a lot during lunch hour.

After finishing school, I straight returned to my home and had to take some rest, as was the rule, put forth by my mother, before going out to play with my friends. Sometimes, I used to play football with my friends, and I used to serve as their regular goalkeeper at a playground next to my home. Sometimes, I used to ride my bicycle there without going too far from my home as my mother would never approve of that. Later in the day, I sometimes used to watch some TV as well with my family.

The most enjoyable part of my day was walking to school with my friends as I could talk about a lot of things with them and make jokes. Another thing, which I really enjoyed, was buying my favourite ice-creams during the lunch break at my school and sharing them with my friends. Finally, I also enjoyed it a lot when my mother sometimes allowed me to watch my favourite movie before going to bed at night.

Sample Answer 2:

Thank you, Sir/Madam, for this interesting topic. I spent my childhood in a beautiful suburb, and my childhood was exciting, magical and full of surprises. There was no trauma, anxiety or responsibilities and every moment, I was ready to explore the unknown and do something new and interesting.

I would like to talk about a typical day of my childhood when I was around 7 or 8 years old. I used to wake up very early and get ready for school. I used to eat my breakfast at around 6.30 in the morning, and the milk, bread, banana and egg were the usual breakfast items. My mother prepared breakfast for the whole family. Then I rode with my dad on his motorbike every day to school. I played with my classmates before and after our classes. I mostly played football, chess, hide-and-seek and the merry-go-round with my classmates and friends.  

When I returned home at around 2.00 pm, it was time to take a shower, and no matter how hard I tried to avoid it, my mother always made sure that I took a shower. For lunch, we ate what my mother cooked at home, and she was an impressive cook who had an uncanny power of cooking delicious meals. Interestingly, I never wanted to take a nap after lunch and play instead, but my mother would not let me.

As I can recall, my mother mostly looked after me while my father tried to spend quality time with both of us when he was at home. He often helped me complete my homework or played chess with me. I must be very lucky to have such passionate, caring and friendly parents who always sacrificed their interests to be by my side and make me happy. I did not have any brothers or sisters, and I always thought kids with a lot of siblings had more fun!

The afternoon was the most exciting time for me as I could do anything at that time. I often went outside to play with my friends. Sometimes we ran and shouted for no apparent reason. At night, I spend a couple of hours watching TV and then completing my homework. I usually went to bed at around 10.30 pm.

I would say everything in my childhood was exhilarating. However, the natural beauty around our neighbourhood, my parents, the unbound freedom to play and good friends were something truly special, and I still miss those days.

Model Answer 3:

Well, thank you for this interesting topic. It helped me revive my childhood once again for a while, and I am grateful to you for that. Here, I will tell you about a normal day in my life as a child.

When I was a child, a typical day in my life was filled with simple yet joyful activities. In the morning, after waking up, I would have a hearty breakfast with my family, usually consisting of cereal, toast, and a glass of milk. Sometimes, if it was a special day, my mother would surprise us with pancakes or French toast.

After breakfast, I would head out to play with my friends in the neighbourhood. We would spend hours playing outdoor games like tag, hide and seek, and soccer in the nearby park. Around midday, my mom would call me in for lunch, which often included sandwiches, fruits, and a homemade treat like cookies or brownies. After lunch, I would sometimes take a short nap before heading back outside to play with my friends again.

In the late afternoon, my siblings and I would often have structured activities or chores to do. We might help with household tasks like setting the table for dinner or watering the plants in the garden. As the evening approached, my family would gather for dinner, which was always a special time for us to reconnect and share stories from our day. We would enjoy a home-cooked meal together, and afterwards, my parents would often read to us or we would watch a family movie.

At bedtime, my parents would tuck me in and read me a bedtime story, which was always the highlight of my day. I would drift off to sleep feeling loved, safe, and grateful for the simple joys of childhood.

Idea generation for this Candidate task card/ Cue card topic:

This cue card topic invites you to reflect on your childhood and describe what a typical day used to look like. You should explain what you usually did and ate during the day, what games or sports you enjoyed, who took care of you, and why those days were enjoyable. To build a strong answer, try to recall daily routines, school activities, favourite meals, playtime experiences, and the people around you who made your childhood memorable. Here are some ideas to help you frame your own response based on different types of childhood experiences:

1. Living with grandparents in a village:
As a child, I lived with my grandparents in a small village. I used to wake up early, have homemade paratha with yoghurt for breakfast, and attend the local school. In the afternoons, I played kabaddi with my cousins in the open fields. My grandmother always looked after me and shared folk stories. The best part was the freedom to run around in nature without any restrictions.

2. Attending a convent school in the city:
I spent most of my childhood in a busy city. I would wake up at 6:30, eat eggs and toast, and go to school with my brother. After school, I played indoor board games like Ludo or chess with my neighbours. My nanny looked after me until my parents returned from work. I loved how every day felt structured yet fun.

3. Growing up in a military family:
My father was in the army, so we often moved from one city to another. A typical day included early morning drills with my father, school with disciplined teachers, and evening football matches with neighbourhood kids. My mother ensured I followed a routine. I liked the sense of adventure and change that came with this lifestyle.

4. Spending time in a boarding school:
I studied at a boarding school where every day started with morning assembly and porridge for breakfast. We followed a strict schedule, had karate classes twice a week, and read storybooks in the evening. Our dorm supervisor took care of us. The camaraderie among students made those days special.

5. Growing up as an only child:
Being the only child, I spent a lot of time with my parents. I used to eat noodles or sandwiches after school and spend hours drawing or watching cartoons. I didn’t play much outside but enjoyed puzzle games and craft projects. My mother stayed at home and was always there for me. I cherished the undivided attention and love I received.

6. Life in a joint family:
I lived in a big house with uncles, aunts, and cousins. My day began with breakfast cooked by my aunt, then school, and evenings full of hide-and-seek and cricket in the backyard. My older cousin often helped with my homework. The constant presence of family made every day lively and full of laughter.

7. A childhood close to nature:
My childhood was spent near a forest reserve where my father worked as a ranger. I would eat rice and vegetables with local spices, attend a small school nearby, and help feed the animals in the evening. My mother took care of me and my siblings. The peaceful surroundings and close connection to nature made everything magical.

8. A day filled with religious practices:
I grew up in a religious household where each day started with prayers. I used to eat rice pudding or fruits in the morning, go to religious school, and spend afternoons reading scripture. I also played traditional games like marble and hopscotch. My grandmother watched over me and taught me values. The spiritual atmosphere made a lasting impression on me.

9. Growing up with siblings in a small apartment:
We lived in a compact two-bedroom apartment. Every day was full of chaos and joy - sharing meals like rice and chicken curry, doing homework together, and fighting over the remote. We played indoor games like carrom and occasionally went to the nearby park. Our parents managed everything despite a tight schedule. The togetherness made it beautiful.

10. Childhood in a coastal town:
I grew up in a town near the beach. I would eat seafood-based meals like fried fish and rice, go to school, and spend the afternoon flying kites or playing volleyball on the shore. My aunt lived with us and cared for me. What I loved most was the smell of the sea and watching the sunset with my friends.

Vocabulary for this Candidate task card/ Cue card topic:

When describing a typical day in your childhood, using specific vocabulary can effectively convey your daily routine, dietary habits, recreational activities, and who supervised you. Thoughtful word choices will help you articulate the joys and unique aspects of your upbringing, making your response both nostalgic and relatable. Here are some relevant words and phrases:

Daily routine: – A sequence of actions regularly followed; a fixed program.
Example: Our daily routine as children was quite structured, beginning with breakfast and school.

Upbringing: – The treatment and instruction received by a child from its parents throughout its childhood.
Example: My upbringing was filled with outdoor activities and family meals.

Nourishing meals: – Food that provides the substances necessary for growth, health, and good condition.
Example: My grandmother always ensured we had nourishing meals prepared from fresh ingredients.

Staple diet: – A food or type of food that is eaten regularly by a large number of people in a particular region or group.
Example: Rice and lentils were a staple diet in our household during my childhood.

Wholesome food: – Food that is good for your health; often implying natural or unprocessed.
Example: We generally ate wholesome food, with very few processed snacks.

Outdoor games: – Recreational activities played outside, often involving physical activity.
Example: After school, we would always rush outside to play various outdoor games.

Imaginative play: – Play in which children make up stories and scenarios, often using props or toys to represent real objects.
Example: A lot of our time was spent in imaginative play, creating entire worlds in our backyard.

Physical activity: – Any bodily movement produced by skeletal muscles that requires energy expenditure.
Example: Our childhood days were packed with plenty of physical activity.

Caregiver: – A person who provides direct care for children, the elderly, or the chronically ill.
Example: My mother was my primary caregiver, but my grandparents also played a significant role.

Supervised: – Observed and directed the execution of (a task or activity) or the behaviour of (a person or group).
Example: We were usually supervised by an older family member when playing outdoors.

Formative years: – A period of a person's life, usually childhood, during which their character and abilities are developed.
Example: My formative years were spent largely outdoors, exploring and playing.

Nostalgia: – A sentimental longing or wistful affection for a period in the past.
Example: Recalling those days fills me with a strong sense of nostalgia.

Carefree: – Free from anxiety or responsibility.
Example: Childhood felt incredibly carefree, with few worries or obligations.

Unforgettable: – Impossible to forget; very memorable.
Example: Those simple moments of play are truly unforgettable memories.

Joyful: – Feeling, expressing, or causing great pleasure and happiness.
Example: The most enjoyable aspect was the sheer joyful freedom we had.

Fond memories: – Cherished recollections from the past.
Example: I have many fond memories of those typical childhood days.

If you prepare for the topic "Describe a typical day in your life when you were a child", you should be able to talk about the following topics as well:

1) Describe a childhood memory that you remember.
2) Describe a happy family event from your childhood.
3) Describe a period of your life that you enjoyed a lot.
4) Describe something you often enjoyed in your childhood.
5) Describe someone in your family whom you admire.
6) Describe a day in your childhood.
7) Describe something interesting you remember doing in your childhood.
 

• IELTS Cue Card
• IELTS Speaking
• Candidate Task Card
• Speaking Part 2

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