Well, as an IELTS tutor, one of the things I taught my students is to get well-prepared for common cue card topics in the Speaking test. One topic that comes up regularly is:
Describe a Daily Routine That You Enjoy
- You should say:
- What the routine is
- When and where you do it
- How you do it
- And explain why you enjoy it
In this blog, I’ll guide you on how to structure your answer in your own words, provide you with some examples, and give you some useful vocabulary that will help you achieve a higher score in the IELTS Speaking section.
How to Answer This Cue Card – Describe a Daily Routine That You Enjoy
One thing that I always advise is to take a structured approach while answering this question so that the answer is fluent and clearly articulated. Here’s one possible format you might use:
Introduction – Describe a Daily Routine That You Enjoy
State What the Routine Is – Tell what the routine is and when you do it.
Break It Down – Describe how you do this activity.
Why you love it – Describe your connection to this ritual and how it makes you feel.
Sample Cue Card Answer
Describe a Daily Routine That You Enjoy
Introduction
One daily routine that I truly enjoy is going for a morning walk. It has become an essential part of my life, and I feel refreshed and energized every day because of it.
When and Where I Do It
I wake up around 6:00 a.m. and take a walk in the park near my house. It’s quiet up here, and the clean air makes me feel more alive than I think I have in a long time. I like to take a 30- to 40-minute walk before I start my day.
How I Do It
I do some light stretching to warm up my body. Next, I walk at a steady pace while listening to mellow music or podcasts. Now, sometimes I use mindfulness, where I focus on my breathing and what I can see. I also enjoy greeting morning walkers, which adds a social aspect to my routine.
Why I Enjoy It
And there are a couple of reasons I like this routine. First of all, it keeps me fit and active. Now I have to walk every day to keep my stamina up and maintain health. The second reason is it helps me start a busy day with peace. When I take long walks I clear my head, organize my thoughts, plan my calendar, or just appreciate nature. For those reasons, I find that my exercise routine can help me stay on track throughout the day, working even harder than I helped myself to get off to a good start in the morning.
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/Work
Describe a Time You Moved to a New Home/school
Alternative Answers for This Cue Card
If you want to talk about a different routine, here are some alternatives:
1. Reading a Book Before Sleeping
- I read for about 30 minutes every night before going to bed.
- It helps me relax and reduce stress after a long day.
- I enjoy reading self-improvement books and novels.
2. Practicing Yoga in the Morning
- I follow a 15-minute yoga routine every morning.
- It helps me improve flexibility, reduce stress, and feel refreshed.
- This practice keeps me mentally and physically healthy.
3. Cooking Dinner in the Evening
- I cook dinner for my family every evening.
- It’s a great way to unwind after a busy day.
- I love trying new recipes and enjoying home-cooked meals.
Useful Vocabulary & Phrases for the Topic – Describe a Daily Routine That You Enjoy
These are all words and phrases that I always tell my students to use in order to better their responses.
“An essential part of my daily routine” – Something important in your day.
“Helps me stay physically and mentally active” – Keeps both body and mind healthy.
“A great way to unwind” – A good method to relax.
“Boosts my productivity” – Improves my efficiency.
“Gives me a sense of peace” – Makes me feel calm.
IELTS Speaking Part 3 Describe a Daily Routine That You Enjoy- Follow-up Questions
Part 3 of the IELTS Speaking test consists of follow-up questions to the given cue card topic. This part is a 3-4-minute segment, where you should be clearly expressing your opinion. Here are a few example follow-up questions and well-structured answers for the topic, décried a daily routine that you enjoy.
- Should children have learning routines?
Yes, absolutely! Develop a schedule; children need routine and it helps develop structure and you build structure and time management around it. A routine helps children develop good study habits, resulting in effective learning while reducing stress related to the study.
- What are the advantages of children having a routine at school?
There are various benefits of having a routine at school. It teaches the kids to be organized, confident, and safe. Knowing what to expect allows them to better focus on their studies instead of worrying about what’s next. Having a routine allows for efficient use of time, which makes school life more productive.
- Does having a routine make kids feel more secure at school?
Yes, definitely. Having a predictable and structured setting makes children feel safe in their surroundings. Knowing their schedule in advance means they have less anxiety and can focus better on their learning.
- How do people’s routines differ on weekdays and weekends?
A weekday and weekend routine is so far apart. And during weekdays, typically people follow a set schedule because of their work or school. They wake up early, travel to work, execute scheduled tasks, etc. But weekends tend to be less hectic, giving time for people to wake up at late hours, spend time with family, and enjoy movies or outings.
- What daily routines do people have at home?
Home rituals differ from one person to the next, but common Susind activities include chores, family meals, and personal care routines. For instance, in my family, my father goes out and buys fresh vegetables in the morning, my sister cleans the floor, my mother cooks food, and I walk my dog. These routines are what keep the household running smoothly!
- What are the differences in people’s daily routines now compared to 15 years ago?
Daily habits have changed a lot in the last 15 years. People used to wake up early, work with their hands on soil as farmers or gardeners, and savor the company of other family members or neighbors. Technology did not wield the same presence in everyday life. But many people today wake up in the morning and pick up their phone instead of going outside. [However, social interactions have reduced as contemporary schedules tend to be filled with technology, work, and personal interests but less time for community engagement]
- Is following a daily routine easy?
So, even though a routine is the best way to live your life — it is a little difficult to stick to the same! People might forget — or simply forget to follow their itinerary. But if you do it for a few days, it becomes a habit, and it becomes easier as you go. It is challenging to create a routine but it really is the first step in time management.
- What is a good morning routine to follow?
A positive morning Routine determines how smoothly your day will go. Examples of healthy morning habits are yoga, meditation, journaling, reading, or going for a walk. These things greatly reduce stress and encourage a calm, on-task mind. For example, by limiting phone usage in the morning we can be more productive for the rest of the day.
Tips to Score Higher in IELTS Speaking
Based on my experience, here are the strategies used by students who do well in the IELTS Speaking test.
✅ Speak smoothly and authoritatively – Minimize hesitation and gaps in your speech.
Use different types of sentences – This means to use simple, compound, and complex sentences.
✅ Give comprehensive answers – Don’t just say a, b, c.
✅ Use expressive language – Be excited when saying something.
✅ Practice on a regular basis – The more you practice, the easier it becomes.
Final Thoughts
As an IELTS teacher, I always encourage my students to choose a topic they feel comfortable discussing in the Speaking test. Whether it’s exercising, reading, or cooking, the key is to speak naturally, structure your response well, and express your thoughts clearly.
Would you like me to help you practice more IELTS cue cards? Let me know in the comments!
