Describe a toy that you received when you were a child.

Sample 1 : Describe a special toy you had in your childhood.

You should say:

• What it was
• Who gave it to you
• How often you played with it (or, how you played with it)
• and explain why it was special for you.

BAND 9.0 SAMPLE ANSWER:

I remember that when I was young, I was keen on watching the cartoon called “The many adventures of Winnie the Pooh”, so much that I kept pestering my father for the stuffed bear Winnie the Pooh. Finally, my father gave me one as a present for my 6th birthday. When I got this toy, I jumped for joy and even paid no attention to my other presents.

This stuffed bear was, incredibly, identical to the character in the cartoon I had watched. He also had a short red shirt and was holding a jar of honey which was his favorite food. Therefore, I felt as if he had come from the movie.

Since then, I considered him my closest friend and I couldn‟t go anywhere without him, even when I went to sleep. Every day, I talked with the bear and told him about my daily routine. Unfortunately, I lost the bear at an amusement center, which made me cry for almost a week. At that time, I felt like I had lost a good friend who I could share everything with. At present, whenever I watch this cartoon or see any photos of Winnie the Pooh, all the
wonderful memories about him are brought back. Thanks to the bear, I experienced a happy childhood.

Vocabulary highlights: 

• was keen on: [phrasal verb] was eager to/was enthusiastic about
  Example: He was keen on fishing when he was a boy, and he still loves to go fishing at weekends.
• pestering: [verb] annoying someone by asking them many times.
  Example: In the shop, some children were pestering their mother to buy ice-cream.
• stuffed bear: [noun] a toy in the shape of a bear, made of cloth and filled with soft material.
  Example: Stuffed bears have always been popular as toys for young children.
• identical to: [adjective] exactly the same as someone or something else.
  Example: His sports bag is identical to mine, and as a result one day I took his bag by mistake.
• amusement center: [noun] a center which has a lot of things which you can play on and many different activities to enjoy.
  Example: Our city has a huge shopping mall, and it has a fantastic amusement center for children to play while their parents are shopping.

Sample 2 : Describe a toy that you received when you were a child.

You should say: 

• What the toy was. 
• Who gave it to you. 
• How you used it. 
• An explanation of how you felt when you got this toy. 

Sample Band 8+

Well, the first sentimental item that came to mind when I saw this topic was the stuffed animal named Marsupilami. This special toy was a birthday present. I can’t remember exactly how old I was, but I was probably about 5 or 6. This toy was important to me because I longed for it and it was a gift from my parents. 

The toy was identical to the character in the cartoon I had watched. Therefore, I felt as if he had come from the movie. Marsupilami was a black-spotted yellow monkey-like creature with dog-like ears. The animals were characterized by an incredibly long, strong and flexible tail, used for almost any task. 

As a kid, this was a fascinating and exciting toy for me. In the beginning, I did not allow any of my cousins and friends to touch Marsupilami. Marsupilami used to sit proudly on my bed each and every day, and every night he “slept” next to my pillow. 

Thanks to the toy, I experienced a happy childhood. As the saying goes, “Teddy bears don’t need hearts as they are already stuffed with love.” This is also true for my beloved Marsupilami. 

Vocabulary highlights: 

• sentimental item: the object whose value derives from personal or emotional associations  rather than material worth 
• stuffed animal: a toy with an outer fabric sewn from a textile and then stuffed with a flexible material 
• long for: want very much 
• identical:exactly the same 
• character: a person or an animal in a book, play or film/movie 
• creature: a living thing 
• characterize: be typical of 
• incredibly: in a way that is very difficult to believe

Part 3 

• Why do children like to have toys in their lives? 
  I think toys are the instruments that allow them to discover the world they live in, which is precisely why they interact with their surroundings through toys. Plus, toys provide plenty of enjoyment and happiness, both of which help build their skills. For example, toys promote children ́s cognitive development by stimulating their concentration and memory skills and giving them the ability to solve problems creatively, which is key to their future autonomy. 
• Do children like to play with toys or computer games nowadays? 
  I think children nowadays prefer electronic games to toys. Electronic games with audio effects engage children for long hours, and most children are not allowed outside to play without supervision, which is the main reason they choose computers or other electronic games to fulfill their gaming spirit. Also, computer games give scores and levels to motivate children to play more and elevate to higher levels in the game.
• What can parents do if they can’t afford a toy for their kids? 
  I think it is better to stand firm and don’t give in to a child’s pestering. This is because latest toys can overstretch the family budget and many parents might feel under pressure to meet their children’s demands. Therefore, cost is a consideration for most parents, and so is keeping limitations on how much they treat their children. 
• Do girls and boys like the same toys? 
  No, they don’t. In fact, boys tend to like “wheeled toys”, such as a wagon, or trucks or cars, and play with them in a masculine fashion, while girls have a preference for “plush toys” like Barbie dolls and play with them in a feminine way. 
• What do you think the advantages and disadvantages of having too many toys at home? 
  There are many advantages for children who have a lot of toys, but there are also some disadvantages. As for the advantages, children can develop visual sense and basic math skills. However, on the other hand, having too many toys can stop the development of their creativity, and they may not bother to play outside or engage in much physical activity.