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IELTS Speaking Part 2 & 3 · Current season: 6.25-7.13 Predicted · Updated 2026-07-08

Part 2 Cue Card

Describe a time when you got up early

You should say:

  • When it was
  • What you did
  • Why you got up early
  • And how you felt about it

You will have one to two minutes to talk about this topic.

Part 3 Discussion Questions

  • Do you know anyone who likes to get up early?
  • Why do people get up early?
  • What kinds of occasions need people to arrive early?
  • Why do some people like to stay up late?
  • Is it good to arrive early in any situation?
  • What kind of people like getting up early?
Full answer demonstrationNotice how the answer develops and connects its details.Listen for pace, sentence stress, linking and small natural corrections.
Read the complete transcript

Last autumn I woke up at 4.30am to climb a nearby hill and watch the sunrise. A friend who is an amateur photographer had suggested we try to catch the early light and the mist that sometimes sits in the valley, so we agreed the night before and set several alarms. I packed a small rucksack with a flask of tea, a camera and an extra jumper, and left the house in near darkness. The walk to the hilltop took about forty minutes; we moved quietly and chatted in whispers so as not to disturb the few other early risers. By the time the sun broke the horizon, the sky had turned from navy to pink and gold, and the mist lingered below the ridge — it was exactly the scene we had hoped for. I was tired at first, and a bit bleary-eyed, but as the light changed I felt energised and glad I hadn’t stayed in bed. Taking photographs and sharing them later with friends made the whole experience feel worthwhile. Getting up so early taught me that a small sacrifice can bring a memorable reward, and I’ve been more willing to try a dawn walk since then. It was a lovely morning.

This AI-generated learner demonstration is a practice example, not an official IELTS response.
Visual warm-up

See the topic before you speak

Use the images as idea prompts. Describe what you notice, connect it to your experience, then answer the real question.

Visual speaking prompt 1 for the topic describe a time when you got up early
Prompt 1Notice three concrete details, then answer without writing a script.
Visual speaking prompt 2 for the topic describe a time when you got up early
Prompt 2Change the viewpoint or example and record a second, more specific answer.
Listen · compare · repeat

Model answers, heard side by side

Start with the simpler answer, switch bands to hear how the same task can be developed, then record a personal response. These are teaching examples, not official answers or score guarantees.

Part 2 — Model Answer

Part 2 cue-card response

Band 6 model

A couple of months ago I had to get up very early because I was travelling to see my parents. My train left at 6.30am so I woke at 4.30am to pack last things, have a quick shower and grab breakfast. I took a taxi to the station and managed to sit down with a coffee before boarding. I got up early because the journey was long and I didn’t want to rush. At first I felt quite tired and a bit grumpy, but after breakfast and a short nap on the train I felt better and happy to be visiting family.

Speaking criteria note: The Band 7 answer is lifted by more detail, a clear sequence of events, varied vocabulary and some idiomatic language that makes the story feel vivid and personal.

Part 3 — Model Answers

Do you know anyone who likes to get up early?

Band 6 model

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.

Speaking criteria note: The Band 7 response gives a fuller picture of the person’s habits, reasons and the speaker’s reaction, using connectives and a more precise vocabulary.

Why do people get up early?

Band 6 model

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.

Speaking criteria note: Band 7 expands on reasons with organisation and nuance, linking practical and personal motives and using more cohesive language.

What kinds of occasions need people to arrive early?

Band 6 model

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.

Speaking criteria note: Band 7 gives clearer categories and reasons, and explains the practical consequences, demonstrating a broader range of vocabulary and linkers.

Why do some people like to stay up late?

Band 6 model

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.

Speaking criteria note: Band 7 explains a wider range of causes, gives examples and notes consequences, using varied grammar and vocabulary.

Is it good to arrive early in any situation?

Band 6 model

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.

Speaking criteria note: Band 7 balances advantages with caveats, provides concrete examples and uses more sophisticated linking and vocabulary.

What kind of people like getting up early?

Band 6 model

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.

Speaking criteria note: Band 7 gives clearer categories, introduces the idea of a ‘morning chronotype’ and links lifestyle to preferences, showing a wider lexical range.

How to answer Describe a time when you got up early IELTS Speaking questions

For the Describe a time when you got up early cue card, use the preparation minute to build a route through the talk. Choose a clear subject, add two specific moments or details and end with why it matters. Then use the linked Part 3 questions to practise broader explanation and comparison.

Cue-card prompts:

  • When it was
  • What you did
  • Why you got up early
  • And how you felt about it
  1. Opening: identify the person, place, object or event.
  2. Development: describe two details or moments in a logical order.
  3. Extension: explain a reason, result, comparison or problem.
  4. Reflection: finish with why the subject is memorable or important.

Question-by-question approach

Practice questionUseful answer move
Do you know anyone who likes to get up early?Answer directly, give a reason and add one natural personal detail.
Why do people get up early?Answer with one main cause, then support it with a concrete example.
What kinds of occasions need people to arrive early?Name the thing first, then describe a specific feature or example.
Why do some people like to stay up late?Answer with one main cause, then support it with a concrete example.

Vocabulary focus

Useful language already demonstrated in the model answers includes use precise words from your own answer. Learn the meaning and a natural word partnership, then use each item in a different answer instead of copying a complete script.

Common mistakes to avoid

  • Giving a memorised response that only partly answers the question.
  • Adding difficult vocabulary without checking meaning or collocation.
  • Restarting after every error instead of correcting briefly and continuing.
  • Reading the model answer before recording your own first attempt.

Describe a time when you got up early practice FAQ

How should I use the Describe a time when you got up early cue card preparation minute?

Write keywords for an opening, two or three details and a final reflection. Do not try to write complete sentences.

Do I have to cover every cue-card bullet?

The prompts help you organise the talk. Covering them is useful, but a coherent one-to-two-minute response matters more than mechanically ticking off each line.

How are Part 3 questions connected to Part 2?

They develop the same broad theme through reasons, comparisons, social effects or future possibilities, so answers normally need more explanation than Part 1.