Cue Card # 217: The neighbourhood you lived in when you were a child

IELTS Cue Card/ Candidate Task Card # 217

Describe the neighbourhood you lived in when you were a child.

You should say:

• where in your town/city the neighbourhood was
• what kind of people lived there
• what it was like to live in this neighbourhood

and explain whether you would like to live in this neighbourhood in the future.

[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:

When I was a child, I lived in a lovely neighbourhood in the southern part of my hometown. Our neighbourhood was nestled on the outskirts of the city, close to lush green fields and small hills. It was a suburban area that blended the tranquillity of the countryside with the convenience of city living. I am glad to be able to talk about this place after so many years.

The residents of our neighbourhood were a tight-knit and diverse community. Most families were middle-class, and they hailed from various cultural backgrounds. This diversity was one of the defining features of our neighbourhood, and it meant that I grew up with friends from different ethnicities, celebrating various festivals and traditions together.

Living in this neighbourhood was a delightful experience. The streets were lined with trees, and there were numerous parks where children like me would play for hours. During the summer, the sound of crickets filled the air, and in the evening, families would gather on their porches, chatting and sharing stories. There was a sense of camaraderie among the neighbours, and people looked out for one another. I have fond memories of attending community events, like picnics and block parties, where everyone participated enthusiastically. One thing I particularly enjoyed about our neighbourhood was its proximity to nature. We had easy access to nearby woods and a river, which meant weekend adventures in the great outdoors were a regular occurrence.

As for the future, while I hold a lot of sentimental attachment to my childhood neighbourhood, I’m not sure if I would want to live there again. The place has likely evolved and changed over the years, and I have grown accustomed to a different environment. However, the values of community, diversity, and the love for nature that I imbibed during my childhood have stayed with me.