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 story you heard in your childhood.
You should say:
- what story it was
- when you heard it
- who told you the story
and explain why you still remember 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.]
[Examiner: All right? Remember, you have one to two minutes for this, so don’t worry if I stop you. I’ll tell you when the time is up. Can you start speaking now, please?]
Model Answer 1:
I have some great childhood memories of listening to some great stories. Today, I would like to share one of those stories which were shared with me during my elementary school years. I heard the story when I was only about 6 or 7 years old. By that age, I had already heard the same stories multiple times, which meant that I was hungry for some new stories.
My parents and grandparents also thought that I was already a grown-up kid, and therefore, I didn’t really need to listen to those fairy tale stories any longer. Then one day, my eldest aunt shared a true story with me, which I thought was not only interesting but also heartbreaking. This story was about a very special bond between a horse and its owner. Anyway, this is how the story went:
The horse, which was raised and kept by his owner for almost 15 years, got lost one night from his owner’s place. But the owner wasn’t aware of it until the next morning when he went to feed it. Naturally, the owner of the horse got very worried and sad as he failed to find his horse anywhere after searching for it for almost a week. At some points, the owner gave up on his hope of finding his horse again. Then, suddenly, after a couple of years, the horse had come back to his owner, waiting for his owner at the same place from where he was lost or probably stolen. When the owner came to see it, he found that the tears were coming out of the eyes of his favourite animal. Sadly, the horse died a couple of weeks after he was found by his owner.
Anyway, I still remember this story because it taught us that we should care for all kinds of animals. After all, they also perhaps have just as many feelings as humans have. I still remember it, also because it was the first story shared with me, which didn’t involve any fairytales or ugly and scary demons.
Sample Answer 2:
When I was a child, my mother used to tell me different stories, and one of the most memorable ones was the story of “The Ant and the Grasshopper”. It’s a classic fable about an ant who spends his summer gathering food while the lazy grasshopper spends his time singing and playing, only to be left hungry and cold in the winter when the food runs out.
I first heard this story when I was around six years old, and my mother told it to me before bedtime. She used to read to me every night, but this time, she decided to tell me a story from memory. I remember being fascinated by the story and how it had such a clear moral lesson.
My mother was the one who told me this story, and she did a great job of bringing it to life. She used different voices for the ant and the grasshopper, and she made the story very engaging with her storytelling skills. I think this helped me remember the story even after all these years.
I still remember this story also because it has a timeless message about the importance of hard work and planning for the future. Even as an adult, I can appreciate the lessons that this story teaches, and I think it’s a great example of how fables can be used to teach moral values to children.
Model Answer 3:
Introduction:
I’d like to thank you for giving me this opportunity to talk about a story that I heard in my childhood, and that fascinated me so much. It actually takes me back to a really nostalgic time in my childhood, and I’m glad to talk about a story that stayed with me for many years.
What story it was:
Well, the story I remember clearly that I heard in my childhood and really liked is “Cinderella”. It’s a classic fairy tale about a kind-hearted girl who is mistreated by her stepmother and stepsisters but eventually finds happiness through her diligence, inner strength, and a little bit of magic! Perhaps we all have magic inside us.
When you heard it:
I believe I first heard this story when I was around six or seven years old. At that age, every story feels larger than life, and this one felt almost magical. I used to listen to it repeatedly before going to bed, especially during school holidays when I had more free time.
Who told you the story:
My mother was the one who told me the story for the first time. She had a very gentle way of narrating things, and she would add her own expressions and voice changes that made the story even more engaging. Whenever she told it, I felt like I was transported straight into that world. I also heard it from my grandmother, my aunt and from a teacher.
Why you still remember it:
I believe I still remember this story because it taught me a lesson that has remained relevant throughout my life: kindness is never wasted. Even though Cinderella went through a lot of unfair treatment, she never turned bitter. That idea stayed with me as I grew older, that being patient and compassionate often leads to positive outcomes. And of course, there’s also the emotional connection. It reminds me of my mother’s voice, the warmth of my childhood home, and the simplicity of those bedtime moments.
Idea Generation for this Topic:
This topic asks you to describe a story you heard in your childhood. You should explain what the story was, when you heard it, who told it to you, and why you still remember it. To answer perfectly, try to focus on the emotional impact of the story, the lessons it taught you, and why it stayed in your memory even after growing up. Here are several detailed ideas that cover famous stories, family storytelling moments, ghost tales from childhood fears, and stories with strong moral messages. You can take one and develop it to make your own answer.
1. Cinderella:
I remember hearing the story of Cinderella when I was very young, probably around five or six, and my mother used to read it to me at bedtime. I always felt drawn to the magical transformation and the idea of kindness overcoming cruelty. I still remember it because it taught me that patience and goodness can eventually bring positive outcomes, even in the toughest situations. The fairy-tale charm and the message of hope made it unforgettable for me.
2. The Fox and the Grapes:
I first heard this fable in primary school when my English teacher read it aloud during a class activity. The story of the fox pretending he didn’t want the grapes after failing to reach them made me laugh as a child. I remember it clearly because it taught me about the idea of “sour grapes” and how people often pretend things don’t matter when they can’t have them. That simple but powerful moral stayed with me for years.
3. The Tortoise and the Hare:
My father told me this story many times during car rides, and I heard it long before I even learned to read. The slow-but-steady tortoise beating the overconfident hare always impressed me. I still remember it because it taught me the value of perseverance and consistency in life. Even today, whenever I take on a long task, this story pops into my mind.
4. A story about a great national war:
My grandmother used to tell me stories about a major war that affected our country decades ago, and she always described how ordinary people showed courage during difficult times. I heard these stories during family gatherings, usually at night when she was in a nostalgic mood. I still remember them because her voice carried so much emotion, and the sacrifices she talked about made me understand the value of freedom. Those stories shaped how I see history today.
5. A story about soldiers returning home after war:
Another story she shared was about soldiers who returned home to rebuild their lives after the war. She told it as if she had seen all of it with her own eyes, even though she was just a child back then. I remember the story because it taught me resilience, hope, and how people come together after tragedy. Her storytelling made me feel as if I lived through those moments myself.
6. A ghost story about a haunted tree near our village:
I heard this ghost story from my cousins during a family vacation, and they made it sound incredibly believable. They said the tree made strange noises at night and that no one dared to walk near it after dark. I believed it completely when I was young, and I still remember it because it terrified me for years, and made nighttime walks feel like adventures. The mix of fear and fascination made it impossible to forget.
7. A story about a ghost who lived in an abandoned house:
One of my older neighbours told this story, and I heard it when I was around eight years old. According to him, the ghost only appeared during sunset, and he described the house in such detail that I avoided walking past it for months. I remember it clearly because it shows how easily children believe dramatic stories. Looking back, it feels funny, but at the time, it felt real.
8. The Boy Who Cried Wolf:
I first heard this story in school, and my teacher used it to teach us the importance of honesty. The idea of a shepherd boy lying again and again only to be ignored during a real crisis left a deep impression on me. I still remember it because it taught me that trust is easy to lose and difficult to regain. That message has stayed relevant throughout my life.
9. The Lion and the Mouse:
I heard this fable from my uncle, who loved telling moral stories whenever we visited him. The unlikely friendship between a small mouse and a mighty lion always felt magical to me as a child. I remember it because it taught me that kindness, no matter how small, can create powerful bonds. It also taught me never to underestimate anyone.
10. The Greedy Dog:
My grandmother used to tell this story while feeding me dinner to teach me about greed. The dog losing his real bone while chasing the reflection always felt like a big lesson wrapped in a simple tale. I remember it because the moral, that not being greedy, was something she repeated again and again. It influenced many of my decisions while growing up.
11. The Ant and the Grasshopper:
I learned this story from a children’s storybook, and I read it over and over because the images were colourful and the message was clear. The hard-working ants preparing for winter while the grasshopper wasted time, stayed in my mind for years. I still remember it because it taught me the importance of planning, responsibility and hard work. Even now, it motivates me to stay prepared instead of procrastinating.
Vocabulary for this Candidate task card/ Cue card topic:
When describing a story from your childhood, it helps to use vocabulary that captures imagination, nostalgia, emotion and the lasting effect the story had on you. These words will allow you to express how vividly you remember the tale, who narrated it, and why it stayed with you long after you first heard it. Below is a set of expressive and natural vocabulary items that can strengthen your answer and make it more engaging for the examiner.
1. Vivid recollection:
A memory that is clear and detailed.
2. Childhood folklore:
A traditional story is commonly passed down through generations.
3. Moral fable:
A short story that teaches an important lesson.
4. Timeless tale:
A story that remains meaningful across different ages.
5. Imaginative narrative:
A story rich in creativity and fantasy.
6. Enchanting storyline:
A plot that feels magical or captivating.
7. Storytelling tradition:
The cultural practice of passing stories from one generation to the next.
8. Childhood storyteller:
Someone who narrated stories to you when you were young.
9. Emotional resonance:
The strong feelings a story creates that stay with you.
10. Memorable twist:
An unexpected part of a story that makes it easy to remember.
11. Imprinted memory:
A story or moment that leaves a lasting mental impression.
12. Captivating imagination:
A tale that sparks creativity or a sense of wonder.
13. Life lesson:
A message or moral that teaches you something valuable.
14. Nostalgic charm:
A warm emotional feeling connected to old memories.
15. Oral tradition:
The practice of sharing stories through spoken words rather than writing.
16. Cultural symbolism:
Meaning in a story that reflects local beliefs or values.
17. Enduring impression:
A story that stays in your mind for many years.
If you prepare for the topic “Describe a story you heard in your childhood”, you should be able to talk about the following topics as well:
1) Describe an interesting story you heard when you were a child.
2) Describe a children’s story that you know well.
3) Describe a memorable childhood event/experience you can remember.
4) Describe a time when you told a story to a child.
5) Describe a story that has a good moral or lesson.