Describing a favorite childhood game is a common topic in IELTS Speaking exams, particularly in Part 2. This topic allows candidates to showcase their ability to recall past experiences, express emotions, and use descriptive language. To help you excel in this task, let’s explore some effective strategies and sample answers across different band scores.

Describe a childhood memory that you cherish can be closely related to describing a favorite childhood game, as both topics involve recalling positive experiences from your youth. Let’s dive into the specifics of how to approach this speaking task.

Part 1: Introduction and Interview

In Part 1, the examiner may ask some general questions about games and childhood activities. Here are a few examples:

1. Do you enjoy playing games?
2. What types of games did you play as a child?
3. Do you think games are important for children’s development?

Let’s look at a sample answer for the second question:

Sample Answer (Band 7-8):
“As a child, I was quite fond of both indoor and outdoor games. I particularly enjoyed board games like Monopoly and Scrabble, which challenged my strategic thinking. Outside, I often engaged in hide-and-seek and tag with my neighborhood friends, which were great for physical exercise and social interaction.”

Part 2: Long Turn (Cue Card)

Here’s a sample cue card related to describing a favorite childhood game:

Describe A Favorite Game You Played As A Child
You should say:

• What the game was
• Who you played it with
• Where you usually played it
• And explain why you enjoyed playing it so much

Sample Answer (Band 6-7):

“I’d like to talk about a game I loved playing as a child called ‘Hide and Seek’. It’s a simple game where one person closes their eyes and counts while others hide, and then tries to find them.

I usually played this game with my cousins and neighborhood friends. We often played it in my grandparents’ large backyard, which had many trees and bushes, perfect for hiding.

We would play this game almost every weekend when we visited our grandparents. It was exciting because there were so many great hiding spots in the yard.

I enjoyed this game so much because it was thrilling to find a good hiding spot and try to stay quiet while the seeker was nearby. It also helped me bond with my cousins and friends. The game taught me to be patient and observant, which are useful skills even now.”

Sample Answer (Band 8-9):

“I’d like to reminisce about a game that held a special place in my heart during my childhood – ‘Hide and Seek’. This timeless classic is a game where one person, designated as the ‘seeker’, closes their eyes and counts while others scurry off to find concealment, after which the seeker attempts to locate them.

I predominantly played this game with my cousins and a close-knit group of neighborhood friends. Our preferred venue was my grandparents’ sprawling backyard, which was adorned with a plethora of trees, bushes, and various nooks and crannies, providing an ideal setting for an exciting game of Hide and Seek.

This game was a staple of our weekend gatherings at my grandparents’ house. The expansive yard offered countless possibilities for creative hiding spots, which added an element of unpredictability to each round.

I found immense joy in this game for several reasons. Firstly, the adrenaline rush of finding the perfect hiding spot and remaining undetected as the seeker passed by was unparalleled. Moreover, it served as a fantastic bonding experience with my cousins and friends, fostering camaraderie and creating lasting memories. On a deeper level, the game inadvertently honed my patience and observational skills, attributes that have proven invaluable in various aspects of my adult life.”

Children enjoying a game of hide and seek

Follow-up questions:

1. How has this game influenced your personality?
2. Do you think children today still enjoy traditional games like Hide and Seek?

Sample Answer for Question 1 (Band 8-9):

“Playing Hide and Seek has undoubtedly left an indelible mark on my personality. It cultivated my ability to think strategically, as I had to quickly assess the environment and make split-second decisions about the best hiding spots. This skill has translated well into my professional life, where I often need to analyze situations rapidly and make informed choices.

Moreover, the game enhanced my patience and perseverance. Waiting silently in a hiding spot, sometimes for extended periods, taught me the value of staying calm under pressure and not giving up easily. These traits have proved invaluable in various challenging situations I’ve faced as an adult.

Lastly, Hide and Seek significantly boosted my social skills. It required effective communication and teamwork, especially when playing in teams. This early exposure to collaborative play has made it easier for me to work in teams and build strong relationships in both personal and professional settings.”

Part 3: Two-way Discussion

In Part 3, the examiner might ask more abstract questions related to childhood games and their impact. Here are some potential questions and sample answers:

1. How have children’s games changed over the years?
2. What role do you think technology plays in modern children’s games?
3. Do you believe traditional games are still relevant in today’s digital age?

Let’s look at a sample answer for the third question:

Sample Answer (Band 7-8):
“I firmly believe that traditional games remain highly relevant in our digital age. While technology has introduced many new forms of entertainment, traditional games offer unique benefits that are hard to replicate digitally.

Firstly, traditional games often involve physical activity, which is crucial for children’s health and development. Games like Hide and Seek or Tag encourage children to run, jump, and stay active, combating the sedentary lifestyle that can come with too much screen time.

Secondly, many traditional games foster face-to-face interaction and social skills. They teach children how to communicate effectively, resolve conflicts, and work as a team. These skills are essential for personal and professional success later in life.

Lastly, traditional games often require creativity and imagination. Unlike many digital games that have predefined rules and scenarios, traditional games allow children to create their own narratives and modify rules, enhancing their creative thinking skills.

However, I also recognize that digital games have their place and can offer educational benefits too. The key, in my opinion, is to strike a balance between traditional and digital games, allowing children to reap the benefits of both.”

Sample Answer (Band 8-9):
“I’m firmly of the opinion that traditional games continue to hold immense relevance in our increasingly digital world. While technological advancements have undeniably revolutionized the landscape of children’s entertainment, traditional games offer a unique set of benefits that are challenging to replicate in the digital realm.

Firstly, traditional games often necessitate physical exertion, which is paramount for children’s holistic development and health. Games like Hide and Seek or Tag compel children to engage in vigorous physical activity, effectively counteracting the sedentary tendencies often associated with excessive screen time.

Secondly, many traditional games serve as excellent catalysts for face-to-face interaction and the development of crucial social skills. They provide a natural platform for children to hone their communication abilities, learn conflict resolution, and cultivate teamwork – competencies that are indispensable for both personal and professional success in adulthood.

Furthermore, traditional games often call upon a child’s creativity and imagination to a greater extent than their digital counterparts. Unlike many digital games with predetermined parameters, traditional games allow children to craft their own narratives and modify rules at will, thereby nurturing their creative faculties.

That being said, I acknowledge the educational potential and appeal of digital games. In my estimation, the optimal approach lies in striking a judicious balance between traditional and digital games, thereby allowing children to reap the diverse benefits offered by both mediums.”

Children enjoying both traditional and digital games

Key Vocabulary and Phrases for High Scores

To elevate your speaking performance, incorporate these sophisticated vocabulary items and phrases:

1. Reminisce about (verb) /rɛmɪˈnɪs/ – To indulge in enjoyable recollection of past events.
   Example: “I often reminisce about the carefree days of my childhood.”

2. Plethora (noun) /ˈplɛθərə/ – An abundance or excess of something.
   Example: “The game offered a plethora of opportunities for creative problem-solving.”

3. Inadvertently (adverb) /ˌɪnədˈvɜːtəntli/ – Without intention; accidentally.
   Example: “Playing hide and seek inadvertently improved my patience and observation skills.”

4. Cultivate (verb) /ˈkʌltɪveɪt/ – To develop or improve by education or training.
   Example: “These childhood games helped cultivate important life skills.”

5. Indelible mark (phrase) /ɪnˈdelɪbl mɑːk/ – A lasting impression or effect.
   Example: “The game left an indelible mark on my personality.”

Describe a wildlife area you visited can also provide opportunities to use descriptive language and discuss childhood experiences, similar to describing a favorite game.

Examiner’s Advice

To achieve a high score in the IELTS Speaking test, particularly when describing a favorite childhood game:

1. Use a variety of vocabulary and grammatical structures to showcase your language proficiency.
2. Provide specific details and examples to make your description vivid and engaging.
3. Organize your thoughts logically, using appropriate linking words to connect ideas.
4. Express your emotions and personal reflections to add depth to your response.
5. Practice speaking about various childhood experiences to improve fluency and confidence.

Remember, the key to success in IELTS Speaking is not just about what you say, but how you say it. Aim for clarity, fluency, and natural expression in your responses.

Describe a sportsperson or athlete you admire might be another topic where you can apply similar descriptive techniques and personal reflections.