The IELTS Speaking test has three parts: the Introduction, the Cue Card round, and the Follow-up discussion. To help you perform your best, we’ve prepared three model answers for the cue card topic “Describe a time you saw children behave badly in public.” In this practice session, you'll share your views and demonstrate your speaking skills to the examiner over 11-15 minutes. To further enhance your preparation, we’ve also included four model follow-up questions.

The cue card topic “Describe a time you saw children behave badly in public” includes guiding questions to help you structure your response. You’ll have 1 minute to prepare and then speak for 2-3 minutes.

Describe a time you saw children behave badly in public

You should say:

• Where was it?

• What were the children doing?

• How did others react?

• And explain how you felt about it.

Model Answer 1

Introduction

Children are often seen as pure and innocent, but their lack of understanding sometimes leads to bad behaviour. Recently, I experienced such a situation involving my 7-year-old nephew and his friends at a birthday party.

Where was it?

The incident took place at my uncle’s house in Karol Bagh, Delhi. I had arrived a day early to help prepare for my nephew’s birthday celebration, which included his classmates, friends, and neighbours.

What were the children doing?

At first, the children behaved well. However, a quarrel broke out among them over a piece of pastry. The disagreement escalated into shouting and physical pushing, which disrupted the decorations and damaged some household items.

How did others react?

Adults tried to intervene and calm the situation. Despite their efforts, the children ignored their parents and even responded rudely. Eventually, their parents became embarrassed and stopped trying to control them.

How you felt about it

The children’s behaviour ruined the atmosphere of the party and left their parents feeling ashamed. I stepped in to mediate the situation and helped the children resolve their conflict over a cake.

Conclusion

Fortunately, the children later realised their mistakes and apologised for their disruptive behaviour and the damage they caused.

Model Answer 2

Introduction

It’s a parent’s responsibility to prevent their children from engaging in bad behaviour. Since children are easily influenced by their surroundings, they sometimes behave inappropriately.

Where was it?

I witnessed such an incident at a wedding reception last month, where my cousin was getting married. It was not just a wedding but also a family reunion after a long time.

What were the children doing?

As we prepared for a family photo, many children were missing. I found them playing digital games on their devices. When asked to join the photo, some of them became loud and refused to cooperate.

How did others react?

Other family members joined me and were upset by the children’s behaviour. Instead of scolding them, a senior family member calmly explained why their actions were inappropriate. The children soon understood and apologised.

How you felt about it

Initially, I was disappointed, but I reminded myself that children are still learning and can make mistakes. With proper guidance, they can improve their behaviour.

Conclusion

Supportive adults can help children understand right from wrong and encourage better behaviour in the future.

Model Answer 3

Introduction

Young children often misbehave because they don't fully understand the consequences of their actions. It’s up to parents and elders to correct such behaviour.

Where was it? & What were the children doing?

During my daily walk in a nearby park, I noticed a group of children uprooting flowers and plants instead of playing. I couldn’t find any supervising adults nearby.

How did others react?

An elderly man noticed the situation and calmly intervened. He explained to the children that plants are living beings and that harming them was wrong. He also invited them to help replant the damaged greenery. Other park-goers, including myself, joined in to assist.

How you felt about it

At first, I was frustrated by their behaviour. But after the elderly man’s kind approach, I realised the children didn’t understand the harm they were causing. They soon stopped and helped replant the flowers, although some plants couldn’t be saved.

Conclusion

The man apologised on behalf of the children. Instead of punishing them, he used the moment to teach them valuable lessons about respecting nature and taking responsibility for their actions.

IELTS Speaking Part 3 - Follow-up Questions

1. What bad behaviour do children usually have?

Children often exhibit bad behaviours such as making loud noises, creating messes, throwing tantrums, disrespecting elders, and sometimes even taking things that don't belong to them.

2. How should parents stop their children from behaving badly in public?

Parents should guide their children with patience and consistency. Teaching good morals and virtues, and helping children understand the difference between right and wrong through love and care, is essential.

3. Are parents these days stricter than in the past?

In my opinion, modern parents tend to be more lenient. This shift is largely due to stricter laws against physical punishment and the influence of more permissive parenting styles from Western cultures.

4. Whose influence on children is more? Parents or their friends?

In early childhood, parents have the most influence because they spend the most time with their children. However, as children grow older and spend more time with peers, their friends' influence becomes more significant.