Describing a childhood game you enjoyed is a common topic in IELTS Speaking exams. This theme allows examiners to assess your ability to recall past experiences, express emotions, and use descriptive language effectively. Let’s explore how to tackle this topic and achieve a high score in your IELTS Speaking test.
Part 1: Introduction and Interview
In this section, the examiner may ask you some general questions about childhood games. Here are some possible questions and sample answers:
Sample Question 1: Did you play many games as a child?
Band 6-7 Answer:
Yes, I played quite a few games when I was younger. My friends and I would often spend our free time playing various outdoor and indoor games after school.
Band 8-9 Answer:
Absolutely! As a child, I was constantly engaged in a wide array of games. From energetic outdoor activities like hide-and-seek and tag to more strategic indoor games such as chess and board games, I thoroughly enjoyed exploring different forms of play with my friends and siblings.
Describe an activity you enjoyed in your free time when you were young was another common topic that often came up in IELTS Speaking tests, which is closely related to childhood games.
Part 2: Long Turn (Cue Card)
Cue Card:
Describe A Childhood Game You Enjoyed playing.
You should say:
- What the game was
- Who you played it with
- Where you usually played it
- And explain why you enjoyed playing this game
Sample Answer (Band 6-7):
The childhood game I enjoyed playing was hide-and-seek. I used to play it with my neighbors and classmates after school. We usually played it in our local park or in someone’s backyard.
I loved playing hide-and-seek because it was exciting and challenging. Finding good hiding spots was fun, and I felt a rush of adrenaline when trying not to get caught. It also helped me make friends and improved my problem-solving skills.
The game was simple but entertaining. One person would count while others hid, and then they had to find everyone. We often set boundaries to make it fair and added rules like “home free” to make it more interesting.
Overall, hide-and-seek was a great way to spend time outdoors, get some exercise, and have fun with friends. It’s a fond memory from my childhood that I still cherish.
Sample Answer (Band 8-9):
The childhood game that I absolutely adored playing was an intricate version of hide-and-seek called “Sardines.” This captivating twist on the classic game involved one person hiding while everyone else searched for them. The fascinating aspect was that when someone found the hidden player, they would quietly join them in their hiding spot, leading to a gradually increasing group of people crammed together like sardines in a can.
I frequently indulged in this game with a diverse group of friends from my neighborhood and school. We would typically congregate in expansive areas that offered numerous hiding opportunities, such as our local park with its labyrinth of trees and bushes, or in someone’s house with its myriad of nooks and crannies.
The reason I found this game utterly enthralling was its unique blend of strategy, suspense, and social interaction. Selecting the perfect hiding spot required a keen eye and creative thinking, as it needed to accommodate multiple people without being too obvious. The gradual transition from being a seeker to becoming part of the hidden group created an exhilarating sense of suspense and camaraderie.
Moreover, Sardines fostered a sense of teamwork and nonverbal communication, as we had to silently coordinate our movements to avoid detection. It also honed our observation skills and spatial awareness, as we had to be constantly alert to subtle changes in our environment that might indicate someone’s hiding spot.
In retrospect, this game not only provided endless entertainment but also contributed significantly to my personal development. It enhanced my problem-solving abilities, improved my social skills, and taught me the value of patience and perseverance. The joyous laughter and whispered excitement of those childhood games continue to resonate with me, serving as a cherished reminder of the simple yet profound pleasures of youth.
Children playing Sardines game in a park
Follow-up Questions:
- How has this game influenced your personality?
- Do you think children nowadays still play this game?
Band 6-7 Answer:
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Playing hide-and-seek has made me more patient and observant. It taught me to think creatively when finding hiding spots.
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I think some children still play this game, but maybe not as much as before because of technology and video games.
Band 8-9 Answer:
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Engaging in Sardines has profoundly shaped my personality. It has cultivated my strategic thinking abilities, as I learned to anticipate others’ actions and make quick decisions under pressure. The game also significantly enhanced my social skills, teaching me the importance of teamwork and nonverbal communication. Moreover, it instilled in me a sense of adaptability and resilience, as I had to adjust my strategies based on different environments and players.
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While traditional outdoor games like Sardines may have diminished in popularity due to the prevalence of digital entertainment, I believe they still hold a place in children’s lives. However, their frequency and form might have evolved. Modern variations of such games, perhaps incorporating elements of technology or adapted for indoor play, may be emerging. Additionally, there’s a growing awareness of the benefits of outdoor play, which might lead to a resurgence of these classic games, albeit in potentially modified forms to cater to contemporary children’s interests and lifestyles.
Part 3: Two-way Discussion
Examiner: How do you think childhood games have changed over the years?
Band 6-7 Answer:
I think childhood games have changed a lot. In the past, kids played more outdoor games and used their imagination. Now, many children prefer video games and spend more time indoors. Technology has had a big impact on how children play and interact with each other.
Band 8-9 Answer:
The evolution of childhood games over the years has been quite profound and multifaceted. Traditionally, games were predominantly physical and socially interactive, often involving outdoor activities that required minimal equipment but maximum imagination. These games fostered face-to-face communication, physical fitness, and creative thinking.
In contrast, contemporary childhood games have undergone a significant digital transformation. The advent of video games, mobile apps, and virtual reality experiences has revolutionized play, offering immersive and often solitary gaming experiences. While these digital games can enhance problem-solving skills and hand-eye coordination, they may potentially limit physical activity and in-person social interaction.
However, it’s important to note that this shift isn’t entirely binary. We’re seeing a fascinating hybridization of traditional and modern game concepts. For instance, augmented reality games like Pokémon Go blend digital interfaces with real-world exploration, encouraging physical activity and social interaction in a technologically mediated format.
Moreover, there’s a growing awareness of the importance of balanced play, leading to efforts to reintroduce traditional games in educational settings and family environments. This balanced approach aims to harness the benefits of both traditional and modern gaming paradigms, fostering a well-rounded development in children.
Examiner: What role do you think games play in a child’s development?
Band 6-7 Answer:
Games are very important for children’s development. They help kids learn social skills, improve their physical abilities, and develop problem-solving skills. Games also teach children how to follow rules and work in teams. Playing games can boost creativity and help children make friends.
Band 8-9 Answer:
Games play an absolutely crucial and multifaceted role in a child’s development, contributing significantly to various aspects of their growth.
Firstly, games serve as powerful catalysts for cognitive development. They challenge children to think strategically, solve problems, and make decisions, thereby enhancing their analytical and critical thinking skills. Games that involve rules and strategies, such as chess or even simple board games, can dramatically improve a child’s ability to plan ahead and anticipate consequences.
Secondly, games are instrumental in social and emotional development. Through play, children learn to navigate complex social situations, developing skills such as teamwork, leadership, and conflict resolution. Games provide a safe environment for children to experience and manage a range of emotions, from the joy of winning to the disappointment of losing, thus building emotional resilience.
Furthermore, physical games contribute immensely to motor skill development and overall health. They help in refining both gross and fine motor skills, improve hand-eye coordination, and promote physical fitness. Outdoor games, in particular, foster a connection with nature and encourage an active lifestyle.
Games also play a vital role in language development, especially for younger children. Through play, children expand their vocabulary, practice communication skills, and learn to express themselves more effectively.
Lastly, games are excellent tools for cultural learning and creativity. Traditional games often carry cultural significance, helping children connect with their heritage. Meanwhile, open-ended games stimulate imagination and innovation, allowing children to create their own narratives and worlds.
In essence, games are not merely a form of entertainment but a fundamental aspect of holistic child development, shaping cognitive abilities, social skills, physical health, and creative potential.
Children playing educational board game
Describe a place where you spent your childhood is another related topic that often comes up in IELTS Speaking tests, which can be connected to the places where you played childhood games.
Key Vocabulary and Phrases for High Scores
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Captivating twist /ˈkæptɪveɪtɪŋ twɪst/ (adj. + n.): An interesting or exciting change or new feature.
Example: The captivating twist in the game made it much more exciting than traditional hide-and-seek. -
Intricate /ˈɪntrɪkət/ (adj.): Very complicated or detailed.
Example: The game had intricate rules that made it challenging and fun. -
Foster /ˈfɒstə(r)/ (v.): To encourage or promote the development of something.
Example: These games fostered a sense of teamwork among the children. -
Cultivate /ˈkʌltɪveɪt/ (v.): To try to acquire or develop a quality or skill.
Example: Playing strategic games helped cultivate my problem-solving skills. -
Profound impact /prəˈfaʊnd ˈɪmpækt/ (adj. + n.): A very significant or deep effect.
Example: Childhood games can have a profound impact on a person’s development. -
Multifaceted /ˌmʌltiˈfæsɪtɪd/ (adj.): Having many different aspects or features.
Example: The benefits of childhood games are multifaceted, affecting physical, social, and cognitive development.
Describe a time when you played a game is another topic that could come up in your IELTS Speaking test, allowing you to use these advanced vocabulary items in context.
Examiner’s Advice
To achieve a high score in the IELTS Speaking test when describing a childhood game:
- Use a variety of descriptive language to bring your memory to life.
- Incorporate advanced vocabulary and idiomatic expressions naturally.
- Speak fluently and coherently, organizing your ideas logically.
- Provide specific details and examples to support your points.
- Show a range of grammatical structures, including complex sentences.
- Express your thoughts and feelings about the game, not just describe it.
- Practice speaking about different aspects of childhood games to improve your spontaneity.
Remember, the key to success is not just knowing what to say, but how to say it effectively and engagingly. Regular practice and expanding your vocabulary will help you perform confidently in your IELTS Speaking test.
IELTS Speaking practice session
What was your favourite subject as a child ielts and did you play at your friend’s home ielts are other related topics that might come up in your IELTS Speaking test, allowing you to further demonstrate your language skills in describing childhood experiences.
