IELTS Writing Vocabulary: Childhood

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

1. 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.
2. 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.
3. 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.
4. 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.