Here is a band 9 answer for another cue card question that is really helpful in the rest of your IELTS Speaking test preparation: IELTS cue card question, Describe a time when you got up early. In this part, you will speak with the examiner to show your speaking technique. You will be given 1 minute to prepare and 2 minutes to speak about the topic.
As your IELTS coach, I’m going to take you through a step-by-step process to prepare you for this topic. So let’s jump in and get started!
Describe a Time You Got Up Early in the Morning
You should say :
- When was it?
- Why did you get up early?
- What was your first activity after waking up?
- How did you feel about it?
- Waking Up Early for a Road Trip – Describe a Time You Got Up Early in the Morning
- Introduction
I have always struggled with waking up earlier, but there are some occasions when it is a must. About waking up early for a road trip with friends
- When was it?
That was last year during the summer holidays. I decided to go out with my friends for a hill station road trip and we planned to start the early morning just before the sun rose as we wanted to miss the traffic and see the beautiful morning landscapes.
- Why did you get up early?
So we had to leave at 5:00 AM, and thus I woke up at 4:00 AM. I typically wake much later, but the excitement of the trip proved enough. Likewise, driving early morning is so much smoother than driving later on, when the roads are congested.
- What did you do after you got yourself up?
I woke up, rushed to freshen up, and packed the final few things. And I had a cup of coffee to actually wake me up. Then I reviewed my playlist to make sure we had quality music for the ride. My friends came over at 5:00 AM and we set off on our adventure.
- How did you feel about it?
My decision to wake up early was very useful. The roads were clear, the weather was nice and we even saw the sunrise while driving. We were awake early, and it felt nice to enjoy the peaceful dawn.
Conclusion
That lesson survived even if nobody was losing any sleep: there’s something to be said for an early morning, especially when it’s something special. Since then, I’ve attempted to wake up early more regularly so I can make the most out of my day.
- Getting Up Early for Job Interviews – Describe a Time You Got Up Early in the Morning
- Introduction
I do not habitually wake up early, but sometimes situations compel us to alter our routine. One example of that was when I needed to wake up early for an important job interview.
- When was it?
This was a few months ago when I was applying for a job at a big-name company. I had to wake up quite early in the morning for the interview at 8:00 AM, and the office was quite far from my place.
- Why did you get up early?
I woke up early as I wanted to have ample time to prepare, revise my answers and travel without any hustle. I didn’t want to take any risks satisfying that knowledge; if I was late on the interview it would give a bad impression.
- After you got up, what did you do?
I woke up at 5:00 AM, took a shower, ate a little breakfast, and put on formal clothes. I practiced my answers, went through my notes, and then… I left my house around 6:30 AM to arrive early at the interview place.
- How did you feel about it?
At first, I was slightly drowsy, however, once my eyes fully opened I came to realize that it also granted me that extra bit of time I needed to mentally prepare myself. Thanks to this I showed up feeling relaxed and confident, which contributed to how well my interview went.
Conclusion
It really was a great experience for me and it taught me that waking up early is important — it can really change your morning if you have something important at stake. It made me more disciplined around my schedule.
- Get Up Early for a Religious Ceremony- Describe a Time You Got Up Early in the Morning
- Introduction
There are a few times in life when an early rise is good for the tradition. One such memory was when I had to wake up early for a religious ritual at my grandmother’s house.
- When was it?
This occurred last year at a festival. My family had scheduled a prayer service at home which was to start at sunrise, meaning we all must wake up by 4:30 AM.
- Why did you get up early?
Because this was something special, I had to get up in the morning and help get things ready. My grandmother made it a point that all family members be present during the ceremony, so there was no possibility of me skipping out on it.
- What was the first thing you did after you got up?
When I woke up, I showered and dressed in traditional attire. Afterward, I assisted my family in preparing, helping to lay out decorations, and setting up offerings. By the time of the ceremony, I was wide awake and thrumming with the ritual activity.
- How did you feel about it?
It was difficult to wake up so early at first, but I felt a sort of happy peace when the day came. The ceremony was beautiful, but it was the time spent with my family that made it even more special.
Conclusion
What I learned from this experience is the importance of traditions and being together as a family. It also taught me that waking up early can be invigorating and sometimes meaningful.
Check out other IELTS speaking cue card topics
Describe a Foreign Person You Have Heard About
Describe a Situation When You Helped Someone
Describe Something in Your Country That You Are Interested In
Describe A Famous Athlete You Know
Describe an Activity That You Do After School/WorkÂ
Describe a Time You Moved to a New Home/school
Follow-up Questions: Describe a Time You Got Up Early
When you hear this, you will remember an instance, then what exactly was the reason you woke up early on that day?
There are days when I wake up early for family gatherings or memorable days or exams. But there is one specific day I remember when I went to bed early and woke up feeling fresh and natural. Unable to go back to sleep, I picked up some work. Yesterday proved to be one of the most productive days for me.
Did waking up early help you in any kind of way?
Absolutely! Rising early helped me sleep better, be more productive, and have more energy. It also meant I could build on exercise and meditation. Having those extra morning hours made a world of difference for me. Overall, it improved my mental stability, mind clarity, and focus over time.
Did you try to make a habit out of it or was it just the once?
Yes, I attempted to make it habitual. I wake up early — more than before now. I cut back on screen time in the hour before I went to bed, and I started going to bed and waking up at the same time every day. They should be doing everything needed to take care of themselves (and if they get off track, get back on track). Whenever I go off my routine, I push my wake-up time back by 15 to 20 minutes until I get back in the groove.
Many studies state that waking up early helps your mood and brightens your day, was it the same for you?
At first, it was challenging. It was hard to break my normal routine and sleep schedule and resist the lure of sleeping late. But once I got used to it, I found it much better. At first, I was grateful for the extra morning hours, and gradually, I noticed a surge in my overall levels of productivity. Eventually, it was second nature [to me], and I truly began to savor my early mornings.
As you had a problem up early, can you state some major issues which affected that?
The biggest challenge was adapting to the new schedule. Why not only get up in the morning but also -train your body and a mind adjustment period- for a new sleep cycle? At first, the temptation was to hit the snooze button from sleep deprivation. Also, it did suck sometimes to miss out on going out late at night because you had to get up early the next day. But working through those challenges transformed waking up early into a lifestyle and habit.
