IELTS Speaking Practice: Morning Routines

This comprehensive practice set covers all three parts of the IELTS Speaking test, focused on the topic of morning routines.

The IELTS Speaking test lasts approximately 11-14 minutes in total, with Part 1 taking 4-5 minutes, Part 2 requiring 3-4 minutes (including preparation time), and Part 3 lasting 4-5 minutes.

You may use this practice set to familiarize yourself with the format and develop strategies for showcasing your English proficiency.

Part 1: Introduction and Interview (4-5 minutes)

In this section, the examiner will introduce themselves and ask you general questions about familiar topics. Today’s focus is on morning routines.

Questions:

1. Are you a morning person? Why or why not?
2. What time do you usually wake up on weekdays?
3. What’s the first thing you do after waking up?
4. Do you eat breakfast every day? What do you typically have?
5. How long does your morning routine usually take?
6. Has your morning routine changed over the years?
7. Do you prefer quiet mornings or do you like to start your day with some energy and noise?
8. Is there anything you wish you could include in your morning routine but don’t have time for?

Note: The examiner may ask follow-up questions based on your responses to explore the topic further.

Part 2: Individual Long Turn (3-4 minutes)

In this section, you will be given a topic card. You will have 1 minute to prepare, then you should speak for 1-2 minutes on the topic. The examiner will signal when your time is up.

Topic Card:

Describe a morning when you had a particularly good start to your day.

You should say:

• When and where this morning was
• What you did during this morning
• Who, if anyone, was with you
• And explain why you consider it to be a particularly good morning

You have one minute to prepare. You should then speak for 1-2 minutes.

Part 3: Two-way Discussion (4-5 minutes)

In this section, the examiner will ask more abstract questions related to the topic from Part 2. These questions are designed to test your ability to express and justify opinions and discuss more complex ideas.

Questions:

1. How do you think morning routines differ across generations?
2. What impact do you think technology has had on people’s morning habits?
3. Some people say that how you start your morning affects your entire day. To what extent do you agree with this?
4. How might cultural differences influence morning routines around the world?
5. Do you think employers should consider different chronotypes (morning people vs. night owls) when setting work schedules?
6. How might morning routines change as society evolves in the future?
7. What do you think is the relationship between morning routines and productivity?
8. How do you think urban living affects people’s morning routines compared to rural living?

Sample Answers

Part 1 Sample Answer

Q: Are you a morning person? Why or why not?

Sample answer: “I wouldn’t say I’m naturally a morning person, but I’ve trained myself to be one over the years. I used to struggle terribly with early starts, but since beginning my current job, which requires me to be at the office by 8:30, I’ve gradually adjusted. I’ve discovered that I actually enjoy the quietness of early mornings now, especially the hour before everyone else in my household wakes up. That said, I still wouldn’t voluntarily wake up at 5 AM unless absolutely necessary!”

Part 2 Sample Answer

Sample response to topic card:

“I’d like to talk about a particularly memorable morning I experienced last summer while on a short holiday in the countryside. I was staying at a small cottage that my friend had rented for a weekend getaway, about two hours from the city where I live.

I naturally woke up just before sunrise, around 5:30 AM, which is unusual for me, but I felt completely refreshed. Instead of checking my phone immediately as I typically would, I decided to step outside onto the cottage’s small wooden deck. The air was crisp and had that special freshness that only exists at dawn.

I was alone at that moment as my three friends were still asleep inside. I made myself a cup of tea and simply sat there watching the sun slowly rise over the hills, painting the sky with stunning shades of orange and pink. There was a light mist hovering over the fields below, and I could hear various birds beginning their morning songs.

After about thirty minutes of peaceful contemplation, I felt inspired to take a short walk down a nearby trail. The dew was still fresh on the grass, and I spotted a deer with her fawn at the edge of the woods, which was quite magical.

This morning stands out as particularly good because it felt like a perfect reset from my usually hectic schedule. There were no emails to check, no rush to get ready, and no obligations waiting for me. That rare combination of natural beauty, perfect weather, and complete mental presence made me feel genuinely at peace. It reminded me of the importance of occasionally stepping away from daily routines and reconnecting with simpler pleasures. Even years later, I try to recall that feeling when life gets overwhelming.”

Part 3 Sample Answer

Q: How do you think morning routines differ across generations?

Sample answer: “I believe there are significant generational differences in morning routines that reflect broader societal changes. Older generations, particularly those who grew up before digital technology became ubiquitous, often have more structured and consistent morning routines. My grandparents, for instance, have followed virtually the same morning pattern for decades – early rising, a proper sit-down breakfast, perhaps reading a physical newspaper.

In contrast, younger generations like millennials and Generation Z tend to have more fluid routines heavily influenced by technology. Many young adults check their smartphones within minutes of waking up to scroll through social media or respond to messages. Breakfast might be on-the-go or skipped entirely in favor of a late-morning coffee.

These differences stem partly from changing work patterns. Remote work and flexible hours have disrupted the traditional 9-to-5 schedule that dictated morning routines for previous generations. Additionally, younger people often prioritize extra sleep over elaborate morning preparations, perhaps because they stay up later engaging with digital media.

However, I find it interesting that we’re also seeing a counter-trend now, with many younger people deliberately adopting mindful morning routines that actually resemble those of older generations – meditation, journaling, and technology-free mornings are becoming popular wellness practices. This suggests that while the specific activities may differ, the human need for some morning structure transcends generational boundaries.”

We encourage you to practice answering these questions and post your responses in the comments below.

We’ll provide brief feedback on your answers to help you improve.

For more IELTS Speaking Practice questions, you can also visit Festivals and Celebrations Topic.