IELTS Speaking: describe a toy

Below, you can read an example description of a toy (for IELTS speaking part 2). See the previous post for the full question.

Lego Car Description:

One special toy that I remember getting was a Lego car. It was a birthday present from my parents. I can't remember exactly how old I was, but I was probably about 10 or 11.

The special thing about this car was that I had to build it myself out of hundreds of pieces of Lego. The pieces came in a box with a picture of the finished car on the front, and I had to follow step-by-step instructions to put all the pieces together in the correct way. This wasn't an easy task because the car even had an engine, movable seats and gears. It took me a day or two to make, and required a lot of concentration.

When the car was finished it looked great, and I felt a sense of accomplishment. I seem to remember that I didn't play with the car very much; the fun part had been the process of building it.

Don't just read this description once. Spend some time analysing it:

• Is the description well-organised and easy to follow?
• Can you find any good 'band 7' words or phrases?
• Could you write a similar description for a different toy?

IELTS Speaking Part 2: describe a toy

A student sent me this difficult speaking question:

Describe a toy that was special to you when you were a child.
You should say:

- when you got it
- what it looked like
- who gave it to you
- and how you used it or played with it.

If you can't remember a real toy that you had, choose something simple like a toy car (typical boy's toy) or a doll (typical girl's toy). Both of these toys are easy to describe.

I'll write some example ideas about this topic tomorrow. If you have any suggestions, please share them in the "comments" area below.

IELTS Speaking: Basic Information

The IELTS Speaking Test can be completed up to a week before or after the other tests. Your test centre will advise. You can take only your ID document into the exam room.

The test lasts between 11 and 14 minutes. You will be interviewed by an examiner who will record your conversation. Timing is strictly controlled by the examiner, so don't be surprised if he or she interrupts you during an answer.

There are 3 parts to the Speaking Test:

1. Introduction/ interview: around 10 questions in 4 to 5 minutes.
2. Long turn: talk for 2 minutes with 1 minute to prepare.
3. Discussion: around 5 questions in 4 to 5 minutes.

Preparation is the key to a good score in IELTS Speaking. Different skills are tested in each part, so you need to know exactly what to do. 

We can predict the kinds of questions that the examiner will ask. We'll prepare ideas, possible answers and good vocabulary for each part of the test.