Prepare for IELTS by Topic
11. Childhood
Childhood is something that has appeared in both reading and listening tasks in the past. It's also something you may be asked about in part 1, 2 or 3 of the speaking test. Practice topic specific language for this topic so you're well prepared on test day.
LISTENING
Listening Test Part:
2
Questions 1 - 4
Choose the correct letter A, B or C.
1 What is noticeable as you enter the school?
A The colour of the walls.
B The drawings and paintings.
C The welcoming atmosphere..
2 How did the kids change the appearance of the school?
A They painted the walls.
B They planted flowers.
C They made the school untidy.
3 What do the kids help grow in the garden?
A Plants
B Vegetables
C Grass
4 How long has Jane worked at the school?
A 3 years
B 5 years
C 10 years
Questions 5 - 10
Choose SIX answers and write the correct letter, A - H, next to Questions 5 - 10.
Information
A involves the parents
B is no longer available
C uses improved facilities
D is safe for the children
E isn’t possible in winter
F may require special clothing
G involves music
H can involve reading
Activities
5 arts and crafts
6 language development
7 drama
8 rest
9 garden activities
10 free play
READING
The Changing Demands on Parents and Kids
A
Childhood has undergone significant changes over the years, according to Steven Mintz, a history professor at the University of Texas at Austin. He believes that current parenting practices, often referred to as "helicopter parenting," may not always be beneficial for children. Mintz, who also serves as the executive director of the University of Texas System's Institute for Transformational Learning, recognizes the impact of these changes on higher education.
B
In a conversation with EdSurge, Mintz discusses the evolving view of adolescence and its influence on the college experience. Contrary to the belief that childhood liberation has progressed over time, Mintz argues that today, parents tend to organise and supervise their children's activities more than ever before, resulting in a reduction of free, unstructured playtime. This limitation affects children's ability to establish an independent identity and navigate life on their own terms.
C
Mintz highlights the irony that even the geography of childhood has contracted, with children having fewer opportunities for outdoor play and exploration. He mentions the unintended consequence of requiring bicycle helmets, which led to fewer children riding bicycles due to concerns about their appearance. Instead, children now spend more time on screens or shopping rather than engaging in traditional childhood activities.
D
Although maintaining close relationships with parents is important, Mintz suggests that it may come at a cost for children. He believes that history teaches us to reject simplistic notions of progress and understand life's complexity. He acknowledges the challenges faced by parents today, such as declining birth rates, increased fear of crime and abuse, and a greater focus on children's psychological well-being. These factors contribute to the changing dynamics of parenting and the additional stresses faced by modern parents.
E
Mintz emphasises the importance of granting children the freedom to be children and recognizes that age-appropriate learning and development occur naturally as children mature. Parents need to allow their children to take risks and gain confidence and independence. However, in a culture that tends to emphasise control, this can be a difficult task.
F
Overall, Mintz encourages a nuanced understanding of the changes in childhood and parenting, acknowledging both the benefits and drawbacks. He underscores the need for parents to strike a balance between nurturing and offering children the space to explore and grow on their own terms.
Based on: How Childhood Has Changed (and How That Impacts Education) | EdSurge News
Questions 1-5
Do the following statements agree with the claims of the writer?
Write
YES if the statement agrees with the claims of the writer
NO if the statement contradicts the claims of the writer
NOT GIVEN if it is impossible to say what the writer thinks about this
1. According to Steven Mintz, modern parenting practices are not as beneficial as helicopter parenting for children.
2. Some people believe that children enjoy more free time now than in the past.
3. Parents spend more time watching their children’s activities than before.
4. Fewer children are injured while riding bicycles than in the past.
5. Children now spend more time using electronic devices.
Questions 6-10
The reading passage contains 6 sections, A-F.
Which section contains the following information?
6. An example of the unexpected results of higher safety standards.
7. The advice that parents should allow their children to face more danger.
8. A reference to how children have less choice in what they do during their free time.
9. A recognition of how difficult it is to be a modern parent.
10. The claim that modern parenting methods are not as good for children as previous methods.
SPEAKING
Speaking Part 1
1. Did you enjoy your childhood?
2. What is the first thing you remember about your childhood?
3. What did you like doing when you were a child?
4. Did you grow up in a city, town or village?
5. What was your favourite toy?
6. Did you like going to school?
7. Did you have a best friend when you were a child?
8. How much time did you spend with your grandparents?
Speaking Part 2
Describe a happy childhood memory.
You should say:
when and where the event happened
who you were with what happened
and explain why it is a happy memory
Speaking Part 3
1. How does your childhood influence what kind of person you become?
2. Should children be allowed to spend a lot of time watching TV or playing computer games?
3. Is it important for grandparents to help raise their grandchildren?
4. Is it important for children to have role models?
5. Are more children spoilt now than in the past?
6. When does a child become an adult?
WRITING
Writing Task 1 Assignment (General Training)
You are looking for a part-time job at a children’s summer camp. Write a letter to the manager of the summer camp.
In your letter:
introduce yourself
explain what experience and special skills you have
tell him/ her when you think you could start
Writing Task 2 Assignment
Children these days spend too much time studying and don’t spend enough time having fun.
To what extent do you agree or disagree?
VOCABULARY
Vocabulary Exercises:
Exercise 1: Matching Exercise
Match the word or phrase with its corresponding definition below.
1. carefree
2. dependent
3. inseparable
4. lose touch
5. magical
6. mature
7. nurture
8. supervise
9. well adjusted
a. Watching and making sure things are going well or being done correctly.
b. To gradually or suddenly stop communicating or being in contact with someone.
c. Acting like an adult and making responsible decisions.
d. Taking care of and helping something or someone grow and develop.
e. Being able to handle different situations and get along well with others.
f. Needing someone or something else for support, care, or resources.
g. Feeling relaxed and happy, not worried or stressed.
h. Unable to be separated or parted.
i. Something that seems very special and exciting.
Exercise 2: Fill the Gaps
Fill the gaps with an appropriate form of the words from the list provided below.
I was 1__________ on a farm in the countryside. Life was quite tough and my brothers and I were expected to help our parents on the farm before and after school every day. 2__________ was very strict in our household and on occasion my brothers and I were beaten by my father for misbehaving. Even so, I 3__________ on those years with 4__________. I loved the fresh countryside air, and the outdoor lifestyle on the farm, and even though I certainly couldn’t say that my parents 5__________ us, they were always 6__________ us, and did their best to make sure we had the best start in life possible.
coddle
watch over
raise
look back
nostalgia
discipline
Exercise 3: Phrasal Verbs & Idioms
Choose whether A or B best completes the stem sentence.
1. The children were filled with wonder;
A the circus performance was incredible.
B they didn’t know how to answer the question.
2. As they got older they grew apart;
A by the time they were adults one was much taller than the other.
B they developed different interests and stopped spending time together.
3. When I look back on my school
A I am happy as I enjoyed being a pupil.
B I can see the old classrooms and the sports hall.
4. I lost touch with my best friend from school;
A I went to a new school and made new friends.
B I couldn’t find her anywhere.
5. He threw a tantrum in the supermarket;
A the products fell all over the floor.
B his mother refused to buy him some sweets.
6. She turned out to be a very successful lawyer;
A she had a very good memory for facts.
B she was fired for insulting a client.
7. His parents asked him to watch over his little brother;
A they went out to meet some friends for the evening.
B he had to pick him up from school at exactly 4.30pm.
Topic Vocabulary:
carefree (adjective):
Definition: Feeling relaxed and happy, not worried or stressed.
Example: During summer vacation, the children enjoyed carefree days of playing and having fun.
coddle (verb):
Definition: To treat someone very gently and protectively, like a baby.
Example: Grandma tends to coddle her youngest granddaughter by giving her treats all the time.
dependent (adjective):
Definition: Needing someone or something else for support, care, or resources.
Example: He was already 21 but was still totally dependent on his parents.
discipline (noun):
Definition: Rules and punishments aimed at controlling behaviour.
Example: The discipline at the school was tough and students were severely punished for misbehaving.
fill with wonder (verb phrase):
Definition: Making someone feel amazed or fascinated by something.
Example: The fireworks display filled the spectators with wonder.
grow apart (phrasal verb):
Definition: To become less close or connected over time, especially in relationships or friendships.
Example: As they got older, Sarah and Tim grew apart and didn't talk as much.
inseparable (adjective):
Definition: Unable to be separated or parted.
Example: The two best friends were inseparable and did everything together.
look back (phrasal verb):
Definition: Thinking about things that happened in the past.
Example: She looked back on her childhood with nostalgia.
lose touch (phrasal verb):
Definition: To gradually or suddenly stop communicating or being in contact with someone.
Example: After graduating, they lost touch with each other and didn't communicate for years.
magical (adjective):
Definition: Something that seems very special and exciting.
Example: The fireworks on New Year's Eve looked magical in the night sky.
mature (adjective):
Definition: Acting like an adult and making responsible decisions.
Example: As she got older, she became more responsible and mature in her actions and decisions.
nostalgia (adjective):
Definition: A feeling of sadness or happiness when you think about things from the past.
Example: Going through old photo albums gave me a real sense of nostalgia.
nurture (verb):
Definition: Taking care of and helping something or someone grow and develop.
Example: Parents nurture their baby by providing love, care, and attention.
raise (verb):
Definition: To nurture, care for, and provide for the growth and development of a child.
Example: They worked hard to raise their kids to be kind and responsible.
supervise (verb):
Definition: Watching and making sure things are going well or being done correctly.
Example: The lifeguard supervises the pool to ensure everyone's safety.
throw a tantrum (verb phrase):
Definition: When a child gets very upset and behaves badly, like crying, screaming, or throwing things.
Example: The toddler threw a tantrum in the grocery store when his mother wouldn't buy him any candy.
toddler (noun [c]):
Definition: A young child who is learning to walk and talk.
Example: My grandparents looked after me and my sister when we were toddlers.
turn out (phrasal verb):
Definition: To result or develop in a particular way.
Example: She was a very naughty child, but she turned out to be a successful adult.
watch over (phrasal verb):
Definition: To protect and take care of someone, watching them to make sure they are safe.
Example: The babysitter was responsible for watching over the children while their parents were out.
well adjusted (adjective):
Definition: Being able to handle different situations and get along well with others.
Example: He was well adjusted and easily adapted to new situations and people.
Listening Answer Key:
1B, 2A, 3B, 4A, 5D, 6G, 7A, 8C, 9F, 10H
Reading Answer key:
1. False (modern parenting is often called ‘helicopter parenting’), 2. True, 3. True, 4. Not Given, 5. True, 6. C, 7. E, 8. B, 9. D, 10. A
Vocabulary Answer Key:
Exercise 1: 1g, 2f, 3h, 4b, 5i, 6c, 7d, 8a, 9e
Exercise 2: 1. raised, 2. Discipline, 3. look back, 4. nostalgia, 5. coddled, 6. watching over
Exercise 3: 1A, 2B, 3A, 4A, 5B, 6A, 7A