Childhood memories are a familiar yet engaging topic in IELTS Speaking. Beyond testing vocabulary and storytelling, the Childhood memory topic evaluates how naturally you express emotions and how logically you develop ideas. This guide gives you talking points, useful vocabulary, and sample answers so you can handle this topic with confidence.
1. Common questions for Childhood memory - IELTS Speaking Part 1
What did you enjoy doing as a child
Did you enjoy your childhood
What are your best childhood memories
Who did you like to play with as a child
Are you still in touch with your childhood friends
Where did you go to play as a child
What was your favorite toy when you were a child
Do you think it is better for children to grow up in the city or in the countryside
2. Band 7 sample answers - Childhood memories - Part 1
Q: What are your best childhood memories
One of my best childhood memories is spending summers at my grandparents countryside house. I remember running around the garden, picking fresh fruit, and playing hide and seek with my cousins. What made those moments truly special was the sense of innocence and carefree joy.
Even though the activities were quite ordinary, like climbing trees or catching fireflies, they felt incredibly captivating at that age. More importantly, those experiences gave me a strong sense of belonging and emotional attachment to my family, which I still treasure today.
Scoring vocabulary
cherished; innocence; carefree; mundane; captivating; belonging; emotional attachment
Q: Are you still in touch with your childhood friends
Yes, I am fortunate to stay in touch with a few childhood friends. Although our lives have taken different paths, we try to reconnect whenever possible through social media or occasional meet ups. What I value most is the enduring bond we share. These are people who witnessed my formative years.
Even if we do not talk daily, the connection is genuine, and every time we meet the conversation flows easily as if no time has passed. That sense of camaraderie is priceless to me.
Scoring vocabulary
reconnect; enduring bond; irreplaceable; formative years; genuine connection; camaraderie
Q: Is it better for children to grow up in the city or in the countryside
I think growing up in the countryside can be more beneficial because it provides a nurturing environment and builds resilience through outdoor activities, away from the hectic pace of cities. That said, urban areas offer stronger educational resources and opportunities for holistic development, so the ideal choice depends on family priorities.
Scoring vocabulary
nurturing environment; resilience; hectic; educational resources; holistic development
3. Task analysis - Childhood memory - IELTS Speaking Part 2
Cue card: Describe a happy childhood memory
You should say:
when and where it happened
who you were with
what happened exactly
and explain why it is a happy memory
4. Suggested outline - Childhood memories - Part 2
When and where the incident you remember happened
| A happy memory is when my family and I had a picnic in the park. I was around 9 years old, and it happened on a sunny Saturday afternoon. |
Who you were with | My parents, sister, and I decided to spend the day outside, enjoying nature. |
What happened exactly
| We spread out a colorful picnic blanket under a big oak tree and shared delicious homemade treats, peanut butter and jelly sandwiches, apple-sized warm chocolate chip cookies. While telling silly stories and giggled, feeling like we were in our own little world. We played games like tag and climbed on the jungle gym. As the sun began to set, we lay on the grass, watching the sky change colors to beautiful shades of pink and orange. |
And explain why it is a happy memory.
| We laughed a lot, and it was one of those moments where everything felt right, and I felt very content and loved. This memory I cherish carries with me as a reminder to appreciate the little moments in life. |
5. Childhood memory - Part 2
Topic: Describe a happy childhood memory
One of my happiest childhood memories is learning to ride a bicycle with my fathers help. It happened when I was about seven, right in front of my grandparents house in the countryside. I can still picture the open space, the crisp air, and the serene surroundings, which made it perfect for trying something new.
I was with my father, who steadied the bike while I tried to balance. After several failed attempts, I finally pedaled forward without falling, and I felt absolutely ecstatic. My cousins were cheering me on, which made the moment even more unforgettable and motivating.
This memory is treasured because it was not only about mastering a new skill but also about strengthening family bonds. In hindsight, it was a pivotal moment that instilled confidence and independence at a young age. Every time I think back to it, I feel a wave of sentimentality, which is why I consider it one of my most prized childhood recollections.
Scoring vocabulary
serene surroundings; attempt something new; ecstatic; unforgettable; motivation; treasured; kinship; pivotal moment; instilled; sentimentality; prized; recollections
6. Part 3 discussion samples - Childhood memory
Q: How can happy childhood memories affect emotional well being
Positive childhood recollections, especially time outdoors and quality time with family, shape a persons emotional health. A supportive environment with affirmative experiences encourages an optimistic outlook. By contrast, neglect or frequent family conflict can leave psychological scars that make it hard to associate family with genuine happiness later in life.
Scoring vocabulary
blissful; quality time; psychological well being; supportive environment; affirmative; optimistic outlook; neglect; domestic discord; formative years; psychological scars; genuine happiness
Q: Should parents create opportunities for memorable experiences
Absolutely. Parents should provide enriching experiences throughout childhood. Traditions like family movie nights or annual camping trips serve as meaningful bonding rituals that foster cohesion and create joyful recollections. They also give children new ventures and broaden their horizons, helping them understand the world better.
Scoring vocabulary
undoubtedly; obligation; enriching experiences; camping excursions; meaningful bonding rituals; foster cohesion; joyful recollections; ventures; broaden horizons
Q: Are there long term effects of positive childhood experiences on family relationships
Constructive childhood experiences have enduring influences on family dynamics. For example, regular family dinners with substantive conversations cultivate a strong sense of solidarity. These experiences become deeply ingrained and often resonate into adulthood. When children link family interactions with genuine contentment, they are more likely to maintain close attachments and seek guidance without hesitation.
Scoring vocabulary
constructive; enduring influences; family dynamics; regularly orchestrated; substantive conversations; solidarity; deeply ingrained; resonate; genuine contentment; parental attachments
7. Vocabulary for Childhood memory
General vocabulary
nostalgic; heartwarming; vivid memory; reminisce about; hopscotch; jigsaw puzzle; blind mans buff; formative years
Useful collocations
play hide and seek; fond memories of; bring back memories; do arts and crafts indoors; from very early on; goofing around with someone; keep somebody up at night; the good old days; impactful event; strengthen family ties; form lasting bonds
Idioms for this topic
etched in my mind; a trip down memory lane; bring a smile to my face; like it was yesterday; have a blast; in the blink of an eye; burned into my memory; bring tears to my eyes
Score higher on IELTS Speaking with IDP
Childhood memory is a great topic to showcase storytelling, emotional vocabulary, and natural delivery. Prepare ideas in advance, use relevant collocations and idioms, and build coherent answers to earn a higher band score.
If you plan to take IELTS with IDP, you can choose IELTS General Speaking or IELTS Academic Speaking based on your goals. If you do not reach your target the first time, IELTS One Skill Retake lets you retake a single skill instead of the whole test.
When you are ready, register for IELTS with IDP.