Sample IELTS Speaking Part 1, 2, 3 topic: Reflect on your early years

2. Structure of Part 2

2.1. Sample Outline (Vietnamese)

2.2. One-minute Takeaways (English)

3. Example Speaking: Childhood Reminiscence

Here is an IELTS Speaking Part 2 sample on the topic of Childhood Reminiscence Mytourared by top-tier instructors at Mytour. Refer to it for effective IELTS Speaking exam Mytouraration at home!

Typically, I don’t dwell on the past, as my focus lies on the present and what the future holds. However, one particular memory that I frequently revisit is my initial visit to the aquarium. 

I’m not someone who keeps a clear track of time, but I distinctly remember this occasion occurring on a rainy day when I was approximately 10 years old. My family had been invited for lunch in Times City, and just as we were on the brink of leaving, there was suddenly a heavy downpour. We opted to simply wander around the shopping mall until the rain subsided, eventually finding ourselves at the entrance to the aquarium. 

Prior to this day, I had never visited an aquarium before, and being a huge fan of marine life, it’s an understatement to say that I was excited. Literally, as we queued for tickets, I was overflowing with excitement, bouncing around my brother and mother. However, upon entering, I was speechless, in awe of what I beheld.

Everywhere I looked, there were large tanks housing numerous exotic fish and aquatic creatures that I had only previously encountered in books, including jellyfish, Discus, and Catlocarpio. Though there were no sharks present upon my arrival, to my disappointment, I still remember the beautiful purple and yellow lighting in which these creatures swam, a sight that remains one of the most breathtaking I have ever seen to this day.

The highlights of this visit were sections showcasing animals I never anticipated finding in an aquarium, such as otters and penguins. The penguins were truly a sight to behold, as they were all charming and daring, coming close to the glass to interact with visitors numerous times. I thoroughly enjoyed the entire visit, capturing many photos with the animals and learning much more about these specimens than any book could teach.

It goes without saying that this impromptu trip to the aquarium remains one of my favorite memories. It nurtured my lifelong love for animals and inspired me to delve deeper into the natural world. I believe the experience was absolutely worth it and would recommend it to anyone seeking a new adventure.

Below are some scoring vocabulary words used in the sample Talk about your childhood IELTS Speaking Part 2:

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    • reminisce about (v): hồi tưởng về
    • a sense of time (phr): cảm giác về thời gian
    • on the verge of (phr): đang chuẩn bị làm gì
    • downpour (n): mưa rào
    • roam around (phr. v.): đi loanh quanh
    • die out (phr. v.): ngớt (mưa)
    • marine (a): thuộc về đại dương
    • exhilarated (a): hào hứng, phấn khích
    • understatement (n): sự nói giảm nói tránh
    • literally (adv): nghĩa đen
    • beaming with excitement (phr): cười tươi vì phấn khích 
    • lost for words (phr): không nói nên lời
    • in awe (phr): kinh ngạc
    • Discus (n): cá dĩa
    • Catlocarpio (n): cá hô
    • laid eyes on (phr): từng nhìn
    • spectacle (n): cảnh tượng đáng nhớ
    • have the time of my life (phr): có khoảng thời gian rất vui vẻ
    • specimen (n): loài
    • needless to say (phr): không cần phải nói
    • worth every penny (phr): đáng tiền

III. Sample Responses for IELTS Speaking Part 3: Reflecting on Childhood

Apart from Parts 1 and 2, the topic of Talking about your childhood also frequently arises. Refer to how instructors at Mytour deal thoroughly with the questions posed by Speaking examiners!

1. Is it common for people to romanticize their childhoods?

It’s a difficult question. On one hand, there are certainly many individuals who nostalgically reflect on their early years with great affection. The problems that once troubled them in their youth now seem amusing in retrospect; what remains is a sense of appreciation for the wonderful moments they enjoyed as carefree children, devoid of the mundane concerns of adulthood. So, in this way, these individuals may idealize their childhoods.

However, on the other hand, there are also many who experienced a difficult childhood, perhaps filled with loneliness and even traumatic events from a young age. These individuals are likely to hold more negative views about their formative years. I believe there’s been a growing polarization in people’s perceptions of their childhoods in recent decades. 

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    • look back on (phr): nhìn lại
    • fondness (n): sự trìu mến
    • keep somebody up at night (phr): khiến ai mất ngủ
    • chuckle (n): cười khẩy
    • gratitude (n): sự biết ơn
    • mundane (a): tầm thường
    • deprived (a): thiếu thốn, túng quẫn
    • trauma (n): tổn thương
    • frankly (adv): nói thẳng ra
    • polarize (v): phân hai thái cực

2. Do you believe childhood plays a crucial role in shaping an individual's development?

Absolutely. According to numerous psychologists, childhood experiences can have a profound and lasting impact on a child’s physical and emotional well-being. This is because these are the formative years when the brain undergoes rapid development, with most of its neural connections being formed from birth to age 8.

As such, the early years lay the groundwork for a child’s cognitive abilities. Just as a nurturing and supportive environment can facilitate positive future growth, constant exposure to excessive stress and traumatic events may have long-term repercussions on a child’s health outcomes and overall development.

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    • long-lasting (a): dài lâu
    • well-being (n): sự hạnh phúc và khỏe mạnh
    • cognitive ability (n): năng lực nhận thức
    • auspicious (a): thuận lợi
    • overwhelming (a): quá mức, vượt quá sức chịu đựng
    • traumatic (a): gây tổn thương
    • health outcome (n): hệ quả về mặt sức khỏe

3. What is the dissimilarity between the childhood experiences of youngsters in the past versus today?

Presently, children inhabit an unprecedented epoch, thus their current lifestyle may be as distinct from the past as night is from day. The primary variance, in my opinion, stems from the extensive exposure of children to technology.

In earlier times, encountering a television was a rarity, whereas today, even toddlers can navigate through an iPad or laptop proficiently. This presents an opportunity for them to access vast reserves of knowledge and entertainment, yet it also poses risks to their physical and mental well-being.

The technological surge is significantly altering the essence of childhood, necessitating further investigation into its societal repercussions.

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    • never-before-seen era (n): kỉ nguyên chưa từng có
    • as different as day and night (idiom): khác biệt rõ rệt
    • mass (a): rộng lớn
    • exposure (n): sự phơi bày, được tiếp xúc
    • know their way around (phr. v.): biết cách sử dụng
    • technological boom (n): sự bùng nổ công nghệ
    • drastically (adv): mạnh mẽ
    • consensus (n): kết luận
    • implication (n): ẩn ý, bài học