Describe a toy you liked in your childhood (Part 2/3)

IELTS Speaking – Part 2

Describe a toy you liked in your childhood

You should say:

• What was the toy?

• Who gave it to you?

• How often did you play with it?

Sample Answer:

Well, talking about anything pertaining to childhood makes me nostalgic. Just like others, it was the golden phase of my life, and memories related to it would always hold a special place in my heart. When talking about childhood, nothing could be more precious than a bewildering collection of toys I had.

Since I was the first child in my clan, both maternal and paternal, I was fortunate enough to have a gamut of toys, including dolls, stuffed animals, building blocks, puzzles, handmade toys, board games, small vehicles, and many more.

However, out of all, the one that was extremely close to my heart was a handmade stuffed caricature of Noddy, which my grandfather gifted me on my 10th birthday.

Back in the day, I was a cartoon fanatic. I used to watch varying animated shows for hours altogether. During the weekends, it was nothing but arduous to take away the remote control from me. Amongst others, I used to watch Noddy In Toyland for a long period of time. I was fascinated by all of the characters, especially Noddy, Tessie Bear, and Big Ears. I was awestruck by how Noddy managed to do everything on his own.

So, this one time, when my grandfather asked what I wanted to be, I said that I wanted to be Noddy in a jiffy. Just a few days later, on my birthday morning, I saw a large gift-wrapped box in my room. I wanted to open it that instant, but out of the blue, all my family members started to sing a birthday song.

Gauging my inquisitiveness, my grandpa asked me to unwrap it. I was over the moon to see my favourite toy. I was extremely ecstatic about this toy and used to play with it all the time.

Vocabulary

• Bewildering
  Meaning: deeply confused to say something
  Eg: My last trip was a bewildering experience.
• Arduous
  Meaning: difficult Eg: The question paper was extremely arduous.
• Fascinated
  Meaning: to interest or attract somebody
  Eg: American culture has always fascinated me.
• Awestruck
  Meaning: filled with awe
  Eg: I was awestruck by the surprises I got on my birthday.
• Inquisitiveness
  Meaning: curiousness
  Eg: I could sense my sister’s inquisitiveness when she entered my room.

IELTS Speaking – Part 3

1. What is the difference between girls’ and boys’ toys?
   Traditionally, girls enjoy softer and mushy toys like dolls, kitchen sets, stuffed toys, etc. On the contrary, boys prefer mechanical toys, such as guns, automobiles, etc. Boys usually pick dark colours while girls go with the lighter ones.
2. Do you believe toys really assist in children’s growth?
   Yes, toys play a gigantic part in children’s development. It helps develop their motor, sensory, and cognitive abilities. At the same time, toys also lead to improved social growth, particularly when they play with other kids.
3. Does modern technology have an impact on children’s toys?
   Definitely, modern technologies leave a massive impact on toys. Along with the types of toys available, the preferences of children have altered over time. Today mechanical and STEMoriented toys are more prevalent, such as robots, app-controlled cars, etc.
4. What toys are popular with children in India now?
   A myriad of toys is popular in India currently. Children love playing with electronic and mechanical toys more these days. Also, parents are inclined toward buying such toys that not just keep them entertained but also improve their cognitive abilities.
5. In general, do kids today have many toys?
   Yes, they do. Children today have far more toys than my friends, and I had collectively back then. I believe working parents are substituting time that they have to spend with kids by giving them more and more toys.

Vocabulary

• Mushy
  Meaning: thick and soft
  Eg: I love sleeping on a mushy pillow.
• Gigantic
  Meaning: something that is really big
  Eg: The buildings in New York are gigantic.
• Cognitive
  Meaning: connected with the process of understanding
  Eg: Reading books improve our cognitive abilities
• A myriad of
  Meaning: a great variety
  Eg: A myriad of emotions flooded over as my father danced with my sister at her wedding.
• Collectively
  Meaning: together
  Eg: In our family, we take major decisions collectively.