Describe a Childhood Memory

Describe a happy childhood event you remember.

You should say:

• what it is
• when it happened
• how you felt at the time

and explain why you remember this particular occasion.

[You will have to talk about the topic for one to two minutes. You have one minute to think about what you’re going to say. You can make some notes to help you if you wish.]

Model Answer 1: Childhood is the best time of one’s life and most of the adults want to get back on the childhood days. I was given a novel as the first prize in my school in my early childhood which was a happy event for me and I still remember it very vividly.

In my junior school, the authority held different competitions to motivate the students into learning and attending the school. As part of the activities, they annually organised different competitions like debates, painting, indoor sports and more other events. I took part in a competition and got the first prize by beating five other contestants. It was the first major success in my life and I remember it most as it was in my early childhood (I was about seven years then and just got promoted to the third grade in the elementary school).

The school authority holds the competition in the beginning of every year (basically the first week). It is a fun to run in the cold in an open field to reach the goals or to sit in a room with another participant and plan to beat him or her into the indoor games. The situations are exciting for the participants but it is more thrilling for the audience present before the spot. The authority usually arranges the events immediately after the New Year so that everyone could join with the events. When the events are organised during the middle the year, many of the parents cannot attend there because they cannot manage time. Since a vacation mode flies in the air in the first week of the New Year, the parents can have the chance to participate.

Since it was the first prize of my life, it was something special for me. I was highly glad and shouted loud in my victory. My parents were happy too as I have learnt how to spell words from my father. Actually, he was the happiest man on this award receiving from this Spelling Contest and my success was like the greatest gift for him. It was also a pleasant surprise for me that I have secured the first position in the competition by beating several other competitors and some of them were senior to me in age and class grade as well. It was really unbelievable for me that I have succeeded in the competition.

There are several reasons for me to remember the event. The first and most important fact is that I am introvert in nature and do not like to participate in competitions or any external activities. But with the inspiration of my father, I took part in the Spelling Competition. It was held among the students of first and fifth grade and I was in the middle (third grade). Besides, I did not have the idea to beat the contestants. I only played as I was instructed. The result was excellent. Besides, this was the first award in my life and I have never received any award or reward after that.

Model Answer 2:
When I was a child, I experienced a notable number of events but not all of them were happy. I also cannot remember all of them clearly. But I will always remember the event of receiving a large birthday present.

It was a remote-controlled car that I had long been desiring for. My father presented me with the gift and it was a surprise for me indeed. I was too happy with the gift that I played with the car for the remaining parts of the day. Even I forgot to take my regular meals too. In fact, it was the best present ever I received in my life and also makes me remember of my childhood.

On that day, I was taking preparations from the early part of the day to celebrate the event. Guests started to arrive in the evening. But the number of guests were limited. Only the family members, some intimate relatives and some of the business partners of my dad. But the number of invited guests crossed 20 and it was difficult to manage everything, particularly the entertainment issue of the guests. However, my dad managed everything. The invited guests also brought gifts for me marking the fifth birthday of mine.

To be frank, I was overjoyed with the matter. I was amazed at the gifts and the people present there also greeted me in various ways. The decision to celebrate my birthday was taken a couple of days ago, and I was joyed hearing the news. Since I was a small kid, I did not know actually the meaning of celebrating a birthday but enjoyed blowing the candles and cutting the cake. My parents had been celebrating the day from my early age but once I crossed my teenage, I actually find no interest in such activities. The feelings in my childhood were really great about the issue.

I can remember this particular event as I received the most impressive gift of my life. I have celebrated many of my birthdays but that one was the best. I was greatly happy with the people and presents. To be honest, I had never received such great gifts after that birthday celebration. Besides, I enjoyed the company of other people and the foods were delicious. I still can remember the day when my parents fed me the birthday cake and everyone clapped around us. It was the most special day of my life. Not only the gifts, I was blessed by everyone present at the event. In fact, it was the best ever birthday celebration of my life. So, it is still vivid in my memory.

If you can talk about the cue card topic “Describe a happy childhood event you remember.” you should be able to talk about the following IELTS cue card topics as well: