Part 2 cue card · Events · Retained in September–December 2026

Describe a time when you got up early.

You should say:

·when it was
·what time you got up
·why you got up early
·what you did after getting up

and explain how you felt about it.

One minute to prepare, up to two minutes to talk. Then Part 3 asks the questions below.

Sample answers

Two answers to the same card

Same story, two levels. Both were written by Ashore, then checked against the public band descriptors in a separate pass. The bands are practice estimates, not official IELTS results.

A simpler answer

Checked at band 6 · 163 words

It was last October, on a Saturday when I planned to visit a lake with my cousin. I got up at about 5:30 in the morning. We wanted to catch an early bus, and we thought the lake would be quieter before many people arrived. I was still quite sleepy when my alarm rang, but I got out of bed and washed my face. After that, I made some tea and packed a few sandwiches and bottles of water. Then I walked to the bus stop near my home and met my cousin there. We took the bus to the lake and walked around for a few hours. The morning air was cool, and the view was very nice. At first, I felt tired and wanted to stay in bed, but I was happy that I had got up early. We had more time to enjoy the lake, and the day felt longer. I would do it again if I had the chance.

Give a specific time · “I got up at about 5:30”
Describe how you felt · “I was still quite sleepy”

A stronger answer

Checked at band 7 · 241 words

Honestly, it was last October, when I went on a day trip to a lake with my cousin. I got up at around 5:30 on a Saturday morning, which felt painfully early for a weekend. We wanted to catch the 6:20 bus and get there before the lakeside paths became busy. I’d heard it was much more peaceful in the morning, and we hoped to enjoy the scenery without having to weave through crowds.

When my alarm went off, I was tempted to roll over and ignore it, but I got up, washed, and made myself a cup of tea. I also packed sandwiches and water for us, so we wouldn’t have to stop and look for food straight away. Then I walked to the bus stop near my home and met my cousin there. The bus ride took about an hour, and once we arrived, we spent a few hours walking along the water and taking photos. The air was cool and fresh, and the lake looked especially beautiful in the soft morning light.

I felt groggy for the first few minutes, but that wore off once we started walking. I was really glad we’d made the effort, because the place was calm and we had plenty of time to enjoy it. If I’d stayed in bed, I would’ve missed the best part of the day. I’d happily do it again, although I’d probably make the tea stronger next time.

Add a specific reaction · “which felt painfully early for a weekend”
Explain the purpose · “so we wouldn’t have to stop”
Add sensory detail · “The air was cool and fresh”
Use a counterfactual · “If I’d stayed in bed”

Angles

3 ways to answer it

1Climbing Mount Tai at 4 am for the sunrise: the sun bursting through the clouds
2Getting up at five on IELTS test day: running through speaking topics on the metro
3Catching a 6 am flight for a holiday: the almost empty airport before dawn

Expressions

5 expressions that fit this card

at the crack of dawn: very early in the morning
half asleep: not fully awake
set three alarms: made sure to wake up
it was worth getting up for: the early start was worth it
an early bird: someone who gets up early

Part 3

The questions that follow

After the long turn, Part 3 asks bigger questions on the same theme. Each one comes with two points you can build an answer from.

1
Why do some people find it hard to get up early?
- ·They stay up late on their phones
- ·Some people are natural night owls
2
Do you think schools should start later in the morning?
- ·Teenagers badly lack sleep
- ·Later finishes cause problems for parents
3
How have people's sleep habits changed compared with the past?
- ·People once slept at dark; now they stay up
- ·Many track their sleep with apps
4
Are people who get up early more successful?
- ·Quiet mornings make work more efficient
- ·Enough sleep matters more than the hour

Stories

One story, many cards

This card fits these 3 stories. Prepare the story once and you can bend it to every card listed with it on the season page.

Deciding to study abroad
Why you are taking IELTS: the choice, who you talked to, what you gave up, how you are preparing.
A trip that went wrong
A commute or short trip: the early start, the phone that died, the message nobody answered, what you did instead.
A green spot in your city
A park or riverside you go to: who you go with, what you do there, a rule that keeps it clean or should.

More events cards

A plan you had to changeDescribe a plan that you had to change recently.A time you worked in a groupDescribe a time when you worked in a group.An important decision you madeDescribe an important decision you made.

Say it out loud and get a band score

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