IELTS Vocabulary Topic: Childhood
adolescence – the period of time in a person’s life when they are developing into an adult
adulthood – the part of someone’s life when they are an adult
bond – a close connection joining two or more people
brotherhood – friendship and loyalty
character – the particular combination of qualities in a person or place that makes them different from others
childhood – the time when someone is a child
conflict – an active disagreement, as between opposing opinions or needs
fatherhood – the state or time of being a father
instinct – the way people or animals naturally react or behave, without having to think or learn about it
interaction – an occasion when two or more people or things communicate with or react to each other
motherhood – the state or time of being a mother
nature – the type or main characteristic of something
resemblance – a way in which two or more things are alike
rivalry – a situation in which people, businesses, etc. compete with each other for the same thing
sibling – a brother or sister
temperament – a person’s or animal’s nature, especially as it permanently affects their behaviour
ties – the friendly feelings that people have for other people, or special connections with places
upbringing – the way in which someone is treated and trained as a child
extended family – a family unit that includes grandmothers, grandfathers, aunts, and uncles, etc. in addition to parents and children
family gathering – when family members meeting together
immediate family – closest relations, such as your parents, children, husband, or wife
maternal instinct – the natural tendency that a mother has to behave or react in a particular way around her child or children
sibling rivalry – competition and arguments among brothers and sisters
stable upbringing – having a safe and secure family in your childhood
striking resemblance – impressive similarity
close-knit – involving groups of people in which everyone supports each other
maternal – behaving or feeling as a mother does toward her child
parental – relating to parents or to being a parent
rewarding – satisfying or beneficial
accommodate – to provide someone with a room or place to sleep, live, or sit
adopt – to take somebody else’s child into your family and become its legal parent(s)
break down – of a relationship, agreement, or process) cease to continue; collapse
endure – last; keep on; undergo; bear; stand
establish – to start having a relationship with, or communicating with another person, company, country, or organization
have something in common – to share interests, experiences, or other characteristics with someone or something
inherit – derive (a quality, characteristic, or predisposition) genetically from one’s parents or ancestors
chaotic – disorganized
nurture – to feed and care for a child, or to help someone or something develop by encouraging that person or thing
alike – similar to each other
play a role – to be involved in something, especially in a way that is important
relate to somebody – to understand someone and be able to have a friendly relationship with them
paddling pool – a pool that is not deep that small children can play in
sophisticated – (1) Having a thorough knowledge of the ways of society. (2) Highly complex or developed.
tone – the general character or attitude of a person, situation, etc.
competency – an important skill that is needed to do a job
coordinate – to make various, separate things work together
recruitment – the process of employing new people to work for a company or organization
hand down something – to give something to a younger member of your family when you no longer need it, or to arrange for someone younger to get it after you have died
enrol – officially register as a member of an institution or a student on a course
IELTS Writing Task 2 Questions
- Things like puzzles, board games and pictures can contribute to a child’s development. What would you give a child to help him/her develop and why? Give details and examples in your explanation.
- Some people believe that children should do organised activities in their free time while others believe that children should be free to do what they want to do in their free time. Which viewpoint do you agree with? Use specific reasons and examples to support your answer. Find the sample answer to this question here.
- Some people think that children should be homeschooled when they are very young while others think it is better for them to attend a kindergarten. Which do you think is better? Use specific reasons and examples to support your answer.
- Childcare has always been of primary concern and importance. Do you think that courses designed to help mothers are necessary or can they acquire the essential knowledge through personal experience? Use specific reasons and examples to support your opinion.