Childhood is a canvas of memories, where each colour denotes a unique and memorable event. One such memory is of playing the games that filled our days with laughter and excitement. To describe a game you played in your childhood is no less than a time travel to the golden days of our lives. Moreover, this is a frequently asked question in the cue card task of the IELTS speaking section. In this, you need to speak on any game you played back then for a few minutes. Thus, in this blog, we have included the samples to ease your task. So before jumping on them, have an overview of the cue card first.
Table of Contents
A cue is a prompt or a small signal that is a guide for the further plan of action. Thus, as per the IELTS cue cards task, a cue can be any topic on which you need to speak for a few minutes. Hence, a cue is the brief of the theme or the topic you will be speaking on. Besides a cue card is the small card on which the cue will be mentioned. Moreover, this card will also contain a few questions that you must address while explaining the topic. Furthermore, this task will evaluate your ability to express your thoughts on the given topic in the English language. So, if you are thinking about how to do it, go through the upcoming segment of the blog and get your query resolved.
Confidence and fluency are the key elements to unlock good grades in IELTS speaking part 2 smoothly. Besides, cracking this section also required you to arrange your answers in a logical and organized manner. In this task, you will be provided a cue card where a theme and three questions will be listed. So, you need to answer these three questions while speaking on the given topic. Moreover, after presenting the card, you will be allotted a minute to prepare. Thus, you must use this effectively to arrange your thoughts so you do not get stuck while speaking.
Furthermore, you can structure your answer for the cue card topic: “Describe a game you played in your childhood” based on the points enlisted:
Let us provide you with a glimpse of what the IELTS cue card looks like. Refer to the image below:
Now that you have an idea of what an original cue card looks like move ahead and explore the sample to determine the type of answers you can give to the topic: “Describe a game you played in your childhood.”
Here is a sample answer that will help you to ace the cue card task of IELTS.
Childhood games have always held a special place in my heart, filled with countless hours of joy and excitement. Among the various games I played, hide and seek stands out vividly. This game was a fundamental part of my growing-up years, providing endless fun and memorable indoor and outdoor experiences.
Just like any other child, I have also played a myriad of games in my childhood. So, to kick off things, one from the tapestry of my childhood memories, hide and seek was one of the most prominent ones that stood out from the other games. This game is something that can be played both indoors and outdoors, so as a child, we do not have to even have to move out of our house as I and my siblings start the game at random times. Although the game was simple but, the rules were complex, so if the newbies judged the book by its cover, then they would have lost the game.
I used to play the game with my siblings majorly, but this game world was more interesting when played with plenty of people. So, I used to play this game with my neighbourhood children. In the summer breaks, we would wake up earlier just to play this game, and the one who arrived late would be chosen as the seeker.
The game is played by one chosen player, who would be counting numbers by closing their eyes. Moreover, the chosen player has to find the hidden players one by one. On the other hand, the other players would be scattered in a frenzied environment to find the ideal hiding spot.
The game is not just a memory of my golden days, but it was my entire childhood. Besides the thrilling nature of the game, the time after the dawn makes it more intriguing. This also gives a sense of fear when playing in a park with dim lights. So, the entire feeling was enough to give goosebumps to each of us.
Hide and seek was a cherished part of my childhood, bringing joy and unforgettable memories with every game. The thrill of hiding and seeking, the laughter with friends and siblings, and the sense of adventure made it an experience I will always treasure.
Here is a sample answer so you can have an idea to frame your answer in the IELTS speaking task 2 without facing issues.
Childhood games hold a special place in our memories, and they often teach us valuable life lessons while providing endless fun. One such game from my childhood is "Capture the Flag."
A game that stands out from my childhood is "Capture the Flag." It's an exciting outdoor game that combines elements of strategy, teamwork, and physical activity.
I played this game with my school friends and neighbourhood kids. We usually formed two teams, each consisting of around five to eight players. It was a popular choice during picnics, school field days, and summer vacations.
The game requires a large outdoor area and two flags. Each team hides their flag in their territory. The objective is to capture the opposing team's flag and bring it back to your own side without being tagged. Tagged players go to "jail" and can be freed by teammates.
I loved playing Capture the Flag. The mix of physical activity and strategy made it thrilling. It taught me teamwork and sportsmanship. The excitement of dodging opponents and capturing the flag created unforgettable memories.
Capture the Flag was more than just a game; it was a significant part of my childhood. The lessons in strategy and teamwork, along with the joyful memories, have stayed with me and continue to bring a smile to my face when I think about those times.
Here is an example answer to help you structure your response for the IELTS speaking task 2, ensuring you can respond confidently and effectively.
Childhood games often leave us with cherished memories and life lessons. One such game from my childhood is cricket, which I played frequently with friends and family.
The game that I played extensively during my childhood was cricket. Cricket is a bat-and-ball game that is immensely popular in many countries, including mine.
I played cricket with my neighbourhood friends and sometimes with my cousins when they visited. We would gather in the evenings or on weekends to set up makeshift pitches in open spaces or backyards.
We played cricket using a basic set of rules. Two teams were formed, with each team taking turns to bat and bowl. The batting team tried to score as many runs as possible by hitting the ball and running between the wickets, while the bowling team aimed to dismiss the batsmen by hitting the stumps or catching the ball. We often used tennis balls and improvised stumps made from sticks or even bricks. The game could last for hours, filled with exciting moments of hitting boundaries and making incredible catches.
I thoroughly enjoyed playing cricket. It was not only a physical activity but also a strategic game that required skill and teamwork. The thrill of hitting a six or taking a wicket was unmatched. Playing cricket also helped me develop a sense of camaraderie and sportsmanship, as well as improving my hand-eye coordination and physical fitness.
Cricket was more than just a pastime; it was an integral part of my childhood that brought joy, taught valuable lessons, and created lasting friendships. The memories of those games continue to bring a smile to my face and remind me of the carefree and joyous days of my youth.
Here, in this section, we have curated the list of words and idioms that are used in the above sample answers with their meaning for you to better understand them and use wisely while framing your answers.
| Lexical Resource | Meaning |
|---|---|
| Tapestry | A rich and complex combination or sequence of things |
| Prominent | Important; famous |
| Complex | Consisting of many different and connected parts |
| Judged the book by its cover | Formed an opinion about someone or something based on appearance alone |
| Myriad | A countless or extremely great number |
| Frenzied | Wildly excited or uncontrolled |
| Goosebumps | A physical reaction in which small bumps appear on the skin due to fear, excitement, or cold |
| Camaraderie | Mutual trust and friendship among people who spend a lot of time together |
| Sportsmanship | Fair and generous behavior or treatment of others, especially in a sports contest |
| Cherished | Protect and care for (someone) lovingly; hold something dear |
| Unmatched | Better than any other of the same type |
| Improvised | Created and performed spontaneously or without preparation |
| Carefree | Free from anxiety or responsibility |
This list will help you to enhance your vocabulary range and accuracy to use them in your answers. Thus, it will be helpful in clearing the IELTS speaking section without much ado and fumbling around.
Follow-up questions are those which an examiner asks you after you have completed the speaking on the given topic. Thus, we have listed a few here that can come-up for the topic; describe a game you played in your childhood.
These are the follow-up questions that the interviewer might ask you after you have completed your speaking part. Moving ahead to explore the tactics to handle the IELTS speaking part 2 without struggling much.
Although you have gone through the samples to ace the IELTS speaking section, if you implement the strategies, you can reduce the hurdles as well. Thus, in this segment, we have listed a handful of tips that are proven by experts in the field so you do not struggle much and score well. Here are the tricks mentioned below:
Indeed, childhood is the most cherished period of everyone’s life, and games add to its beauty. Thus, the topic: describe a game you played in your childhood that takes you back to the golden days. You can speak on the topic for hours, but while appearing for the IELTS, you need to be careful with your words and pronunciation. This is why we have provided you with the samples for the topic, which would be helpful to ace the test in your first attempt. However, you can also take our IELTS mock test to practice more and evaluate where you stand.
Suggested Read:
We are available in :
BangaloreAhmedabadJaipurHyderabadKeralaPuneChandigarhMumbaiGurgaonChennaiKolkataTrivandrumNoidaKochiCalicutKottayamKollamThrissurIndoreUdaipurdisclaimer:logos and other registered trademarks of universities used on this platform are held by their respective owners. Gradding does not claim ownership or association on them, and their use is purely for informational and illustrative purposes.
