Recently, a candidate gave his exam and reported the following cue card given to him by the examiner during the speaking test. You can try attempting it first yourself by recording your voice. Take one minute to prepare on this cue card, first of all and then start speaking. Keep the recorder with you or you may use sound recorder mobile application for this purpose.

Now read the following cue card and prepare on it for one minute:

Question:

Describe your best childhood memory

• What it is
• When and where it happened
• Why you liked it so much

Explain why it was your best childhood memory.
After you have recorded your voice, listen to it one time and analyse your performance. Now, read the following model answer and compare it with your response.

Model Answer

I have some great memories to share but the one I would like to describe is the day when my parents gifted me a doll. I was just 12 years old when I got this beautiful Barbie doll on the day I grabbed first position in the dance competition held in my school.

After receiving that sweet gift, I first went to see all of my friends to tell them about it and introduce it, as my new friend, to all of them. I started calling it by the name itself and this is how that doll became my true friend with whom I used to talk about almost everything; my experiences in school and at home. Furthermore, there was also a small bag I got with the doll from my parents that contained all the attractive accessories and amazing dresses of my Barbie doll. Every day I used to wake up along with my Barbie doll and dress it up with new clothes.

I like this childhood memory a lot since it was quite funny and cute to play with a doll in the way as if it was alive. Considering a toy as a real friend is really heart-touching to me whenever I recall those childhood days and this is why it was one of the sweetest memories I have about my childhood.

Useful Tips:

For the above cue card, here are some tips written below that can be helpful for you:

Factual information:

What – received a gift (Barbie doll/wrist watch etc.), about an incident (birthday party, sports competition, classroom experience, playing among friends in the playground, excellent performance in exams, an excursion etc.)

Where – in my school/at home/in the park/in restaurant/at my friend’s home

When – when I was 12 years old/When I was a kid/When I was studying in class 5/in 2005/10 years ago

Vocabulary:

Following are some of the words or phrases you can use in this type of cue card:

• Furthermore/moreover/apart from this/other than this
• Beautiful/attractive/amazing/heart-touching/awesome/memorable/remarkable
• I cherish my childhood memories/ full of magical moments that I remember/full of dreams and imaginations/fantasy world/days of great fun and enjoyment
• Great memories to share/one of the sweetest memories/full of wonderful memories