IELTS Speaking Part 2: Describe one of your favorite books from your childhood

Describe one of your favorite books from your childhood.

You should say:
• What the book was and what it was about
• Who gave it to you or where you found it
• Why it was your favorite
And explain how this book influenced you.

Useful Vocabulary and Expressions

1. What the book was and what it was about:

• Vocabulary: title, story, plot, characters, themes
• Expressions:
  • “The book I loved most from my childhood is…”
  • “It tells the story of…”
  • “The main characters are…”

2. Who gave it to you or where you found it:

• Vocabulary: received, discovered, gifted, borrowed, found
• Expressions:
  • “I received this book as a gift from…”
  • “I found it in…”
  • “It was given to me by…”

3. Why it was your favorite:

• Vocabulary: enjoyed, favorite, loved, fascinated, interested
• Expressions:
  • “It became my favorite book because…”
  • “I loved it due to…”
  • “I was fascinated by…”

4. Explain how this book influenced you:

• Vocabulary: influenced, inspired, affected, changed, shaped
• Expressions:
  • “This book influenced me by…”
  • “It inspired me to…”
  • “Reading this book shaped my…”

Collocations

1. childhood favorite
2. captivating story
3. magical adventures
4. vivid illustrations
5. memorable characters
6. special gift
7. sparked imagination
8. life lessons
9. deep connection
10. inspired creativity

Sample Answer

The book I loved most from my childhood is “Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland” by Lewis Carroll. It tells the story of a young girl named Alice who falls through a rabbit hole into a fantastical world filled with peculiar creatures and magical adventures. The main characters, including the White Rabbit, the Cheshire Cat, and the Queen of Hearts, are whimsical and unforgettable.

I received this book as a special gift from my grandmother on my seventh birthday. She had a knack for picking out the most enchanting stories, and this book was no exception. It was beautifully illustrated with vivid illustrations that brought the fantastical world to life, making the reading experience even more captivating.

It became my favorite book because of its captivating story and the magical adventures it described. I loved it due to the sheer imagination and creativity that went into the narrative. Each page was a new journey, and I was fascinated by the idea of a world where anything was possible and nothing was quite as it seemed.

Reading this book influenced me by sparking my imagination and inspiring creativity in my own life. It taught me to think beyond the ordinary and to embrace the wonder and curiosity of exploring new ideas and worlds. The life lessons embedded in the story, such as the importance of bravery and the value of questioning the status quo, had a lasting impact on me. This deep connection with the story and its characters shaped my love for reading and storytelling, and it continues to be a cherished memory from my childhood.