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IELTS Speaking Part 2: IELTS Cue Card/ Candidate Task Card.

Describe a time when you got up very early in the morning.

You should say:

• when it was
• why you got up so early in the morning
• what you did

and explain how you felt about getting up so early in the morning.

[Instruction: You will have to talk about the topic for one to two minutes. You have one minute to think about what you are going to say. You can make some notes to help you if you wish.]

Model Answer 1:

I am one of those people who could neither be considered an "early bird" nor a "night owl". I usually sleep before midnight and wake up at around 8:00 in the morning. However, this topic suggests that I talk about a day when I woke up unusually early in the morning. I will share my experience with you now.

It was approximately 7 or 8 months ago - in the middle of March, and I was all set to visit Malaysia for the first time in my life. I had a flight to catch that day at 9:00 am - (I presume it was Tuesday). 

However, considering the traffic congestion in the morning hours, and the required time for the security check and boarding procedures at the airport, one of my colleagues suggested that I should reach the airport well before 7:00 in the morning. So I decided to leave my home before 5:00 am since the airport was at least one hour's travel from my place. So I set the alarm at 3:45 in the morning to have enough time to get ready, call a taxi and then reach the airport in time. 

When the alarm went off on my mobile phone, I could not believe that it was already 3:45 am as it seemed to me that I had slept for barely an hour or so! However, I quickly woke up, took a shower, got dressed up and checked my luggage and papers for the last time. I then hailed a taxi and started to move towards the airport. On my way to the airport, I first called my parents, and then a colleague who was also travelling with me. I reached the airport at around 6:40 am.

I was very excited that I was travelling to a new country, and the anticipation of new experiences thrilled me a lot. Waking up very early was a bit tiresome as I could not go to bed before 1:00 at night. I felt sleepy initially, but after I took a refreshing shower, it was all gone. On my way to the airport, I enjoyed the freshness and serenity of the city, and the empty streets seemed quite unknown to me even though I had travelled to this same route many times before. The same city revealed a different outlook just because it was very early in the morning, and it was a great experience - I would say.

Model Answer 2:

I vividly recall a morning when I rose exceptionally early, and it would be about a year ago. The motivation behind waking up at such an early hour was a hiking trip with friends to a nearby hill station. We planned to witness the sunrise from the hilltop, and for that, an early start was imperative.

The alarm went off at 4:30 a.m., and despite the initial grogginess, the excitement of the upcoming adventure propelled me out of bed. The anticipation of experiencing the first light of day from an elevated vantage point filled me with energy. 

After a quick shower and a light breakfast, we embarked on our journey to the hill. The air was crisp, and the streets were deserted, adding a serene quality to the early morning atmosphere. As we ascended, the sky gradually transformed from inky darkness to a canvas of warm hues.

Reaching the summit just in time for the sunrise was a breathtaking experience. The gradual illumination of the landscape, the play of colours in the sky, and the tranquillity of the moment made the early start completely worthwhile. We spent some time absorbing the beauty, taking pictures, and relishing the quietude of the morning.

Despite my initial hesitation about waking up so early, the serenity and beauty of that morning were unparalleled. It taught me the value of starting the day with a sense of purpose and the joy that comes from witnessing nature's wonders during the magical hours of dawn.

• IELTS Cue Card
• Candidate Task Card

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