IELTS Speaking, parties 2 et 3 : Describe a time when you got up early

Yes, I know a few people who like to get up early. My next-door neighbour gets up at 5am every day to go running. She says she enjoys the quiet mornings and it helps her to have more time in the day. I sometimes try to join her at the weekend.

Yes, one of my colleagues is definitely an early riser — he’s up before 5am to fit in a gym session and deal with emails before the office gets busy. He finds the quiet hours much better for concentration, and he feels more in control of the day. Seeing how he plans his mornings has made me think differently about my own routine.

People get up early for many reasons. Some have to because of work or school. Others wake early to exercise or prepare food. Also some people just prefer mornings and feel more active then.

There are several reasons why people wake early: practical obligations like commuting or shift work, health and fitness routines such as running, and personal preference linked to their biological clock. Additionally, some get up early to avoid traffic or to have uninterrupted time for planning and concentrating. Often it’s a mix of necessity and habit.

Occasions that need people to arrive early include flights, exams and job interviews. Also ceremonies like weddings usually ask guests to be on time. If you are late it can cause problems.

Formal events such as job interviews, important meetings and exams definitely call for early arrival — you need time to register, settle and calm your nerves. Travel-related situations like catching a flight or a long-distance train also require being early because of queues and security checks. In short, whenever there’s a schedule or other people depending on you, it’s wise to turn up ahead of time.

Some people like to stay up late because they enjoy watching TV, playing games or meeting friends. Others work or study at night. Sometimes they have trouble sleeping, so they stay awake.

Many stay up late because they are night owls by nature or because their work and social lives demand it — for instance, people in creative jobs or students often find the quiet of the night productive. Others are kept awake by screens or caffeine, and some simply prefer the social atmosphere of late-night events. Of course, staying up late can affect sleep quality and overall health.

Usually it is good to arrive early. It gives you time to prepare and reduces stress. But sometimes arriving too early can be awkward, for example if you turn up at a friend’s house much too early.

Being early is generally beneficial — it shows respect, gives you space to prepare, and can help you find a good seat or settle any admin tasks. However, context matters: arriving hours before a social gathering might inconvenience the host, and some meetings start informally so turning up exceptionally early could be awkward. So it’s about judgement as much as punctuality.

People who like getting up early are often disciplined, like parents with young children, or people who work early shifts. Older people also seem to wake earlier. They usually enjoy routine.

Typically those who enjoy mornings are conscientious, organised people — parents with young children, farmers or anyone with an early-shift job are obvious examples. Also people with a morning chronotype naturally feel more alert early on and build routines around it. Often there’s a link between lifestyle, responsibilities and the preference for mornings.