Cue Card # 167: Describe a memorable childhood event

IELTS Cue Card/ Candidate Task Card # 167

Describe a memorable childhood event you can remember.

You should say:

• what event it was
• when the event took place
• who was with you

and explain why it is such a memorable childhood event for you.

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

Model Answer:

As a child, I was fortunate enough to have loving and caring parents, great friends, a nice school, and a lot many reasons to cherish my life. But I had one sadness in life, and it was perhaps I was one of the few children in our area who did not own a bicycle even after turning 10 years old! As a result, I did not know how to ride a bicycle. So, at the age of 11 (which was a bit late to learn to ride a bicycle, considering the fact that I was brought up in a suburban area), when I first paddled on my bicycle successfully and could move it as a real cyclist would do, it turned out to be one of the most amazing events in my life. I will never forget this experience, never!

I still remember the day clearly, and I think I will always treasure this day. On my 11th birthday, my grandfather bought me a bicycle as he was intelligent enough to understand my sighs for not having a bicycle. I officially became the owner of a brand new and gorgeous looking bicycle. Without making any delay I, along with one of my cousins, who was an expert cyclist and a couple of years senior to me, took the new, shiny and precious(!) bicycle to a nearby playground to try and ride it for a few minutes- at least. My cousin gave me many tips and cycled to the playground when I was sitting on the backseat of it. I was already feeling the thrill of it! When I tried on my own to ride it, it seemed like a herculean task as I was falling or shaking like a 2 years old kid! My cousins gave me many tips and tried to motivate me in many different ways but I could not keep the cycle steady or make my cousin proud! After a while, it was a bit frustrating for both of us but I was determined to do it. An hour or so later, I, all of a sudden, noticed that I was furiously paddling on my cycle and I alone was riding it at a steady speed! This was the first time I felt like I’d grasped the art and science of riding a bicycle! It was a huge event for me as a kid.

It has become such a special event from my childhood because this is the first time I felt like I’d achieved something so grand in life! I can compare it with the joy and excitement a scientist feels after inventing something novel or an explorer after conquering an indomitable place. The sheer joy of riding a bicycle gave me a great boost in my confidence and I felt like I could do anything or reach anywhere. This overwhelming joy and excitement have made it such a memorable event in my life.