Lesson 3: Childhood – Writing Band 8 Vocabulary

Lesson 3: Childhood

1. adolescence – the period of time in a person’s life when they are developing into an adult
2. adulthood – the part of someone’s life when they are an adult
3. bond – a close connection joining two or more people
4. brotherhood – friendship and loyalty
5. character – the particular combination of qualities in a person or place that makes them different from others
6. childhood – the time when someone is a child
7. conflict – an active disagreement, as between opposing opinions or needs
8. fatherhood – the state or time of being a father
9. instinct – the way people or animals naturally react or behave, without having to think or learn about it
10. interaction – an occasion when two or more people or things communicate with or react to each other
11. motherhood – the state or time of being a mother
12. nature – the type or main characteristic of something
13. resemblance – a way in which two or more things are alike
14. rivalry – a situation in which people, businesses, etc. compete with each other for the same thing
15. sibling – a brother or sister
16. temperament – a person’s or animal’s nature, especially as it permanently affects their behaviour
17. ties – the friendly feelings that people have for other people, or special connections with places
18. upbringing – the way in which someone is treated and trained as a child
19. extended family – a family unit that includes grandmothers, grandfathers, aunts, and uncles, etc. in addition to parents and children
20. family gathering – when family members meeting together
21. immediate family – closest relations, such as your parents, children, husband, or wife
22. maternal instinct – the natural tendency that a mother has to behave or react in a particular way around her child or children
23. sibling rivalry – competition and arguments among brothers and sisters
24. stable upbringing – having a safe and secure family in your childhood
25. striking resemblance – impressive similarity
26. close-knit – involving groups of people in which everyone supports each other
27. maternal – behaving or feeling as a mother does toward her child
28. parental – relating to parents or to being a parent
29. rewarding – satisfying or beneficial
30. accommodate – to provide someone with a room or place to sleep, live, or sit
31. adopt – to take somebody else’s child into your family and become its legal parent(s)
32. break down – of a relationship, agreement, or process) cease to continue; collapse
33. endure – last; keep on; undergo; bear; stand
34. establish – to start having a relationship with, or communicating with another person, company, country, or organization
35. have something in common – to share interests, experiences, or other characteristics with someone or something
36. inherit – derive (a quality, characteristic, or predisposition) genetically from one’s parents or ancestors
37. chaotic – disorganized
38. nurture – to feed and care for a child, or to help someone or something develop by encouraging that person or thing
39. alike – similar to each other
40. play a role – to be involved in something, especially in a way that is important
41. relate to somebody – to understand someone and be able to have a friendly relationship with them
42. paddling pool – a pool that is not deep that small children can play in
43. sophisticated – (1) Having a thorough knowledge of the ways of society. (2) Highly complex or developed.
44. tone – the general character or attitude of a person, situation, etc.
45. competency – an important skill that is needed to do a job
46. coordinate – to make various, separate things work together
47. recruitment – the process of employing new people to work for a company or organization
48. hand down something – to give something to a younger member of your family when you no longer need it, or to arrange for someone younger to get it after you have died
49. enrol – officially register as a member of an institution or a student on a course

Some questions asked in previous IELTS Writing Paper that you would be
able to write with the help of the vocabulary in this lesson:

1. Things like puzzles, board games and pictures can contribute to a child’s development.
   What would you give a child to help him/her develop and why?
   Give details and examples in your explanation.
2. Some people believe that children should do organised activities in their free time while others believe that children should be free to do what they want to do in their free time.
   Which viewpoint do you agree with?
   Use specific reasons and examples to support your answer. Find the sample answer to this question here.
3. Some people think that children should be homeschooled when they are very young while others think it is better for them to attend a
   kindergarten.
   Which do you think is better?
   Use specific reasons and examples to support your answer.
4. Childcare has always been of primary concern and importance.
   Do you think that courses designed to help mothers are necessary or can they acquire the essential knowledge through personal experience?
   Use specific reasons and examples to support your opinion.