IELTS Speaking Part 2

Describe your daily routine: IELTS cue card with sample answer

An IELTS cue card for Speaking Part 2 with a Band 8 sample answer, the one-minute plan behind it, the vocabulary that lifts it and the Part 3 follow-up questions the examiner can ask next.
  • 252 words
  • An activity or habit
  • 1 minute to prepare
  • 2 minutes to speak

The cue card

Describe your daily routine

You should say:

  • →What time do you usually wake up?
  • →What do you do in the morning?
  • →What is your typical day like?
  • →What do you do in the evening?

One minute to prepare, then speak for one to two minutes.

An activity or habit

How to answer this cue card: a one-minute plan

  1. 1

    Use chronological order to ensure you cover every bullet point without getting lost.

  2. 2

    Add sensory details to make your routine feel authentic and help you speak longer.

  3. 3

    Focus on your feelings about the routine to provide depth and natural complexity.

Model answer

Band 8 sample answer

Band 8252 words, about two minutes at a natural pace. Details are invented; use your own.

My daily routine is fairly regimented, primarily because I find that structure keeps my anxiety at bay. I usually wake up around 6:30 am, just as the light begins to filter through my curtains. My first port of call is the kitchen, where I brew a strong cup of artisan coffee. I spend about twenty minutes sitting on my balcony with a journal, jotting down my intentions for the day while the neighbourhood is still hushed and peaceful. By 7:30 am, I’ve completed a quick yoga flow to wake up my muscles before settling into my home office. My typical day is a blend of intense focus and sporadic bursts of creativity. I work as a digital illustrator, so my mornings are dedicated to the most demanding technical tasks while my mind is sharpest. After a quick, nutritious lunch—usually a quinoa salad—I spend the afternoon liaising with international clients over video calls. It is a balancing act, but I enjoy the autonomy it affords me. As evening approaches, I deliberately shut down my laptop to signal a shift in pace. I often head to a local park for a brisk walk to clear my head. Dinner is usually something simple but flavourful, like a roasted vegetable pasta, which I enjoy while catching up on a documentary. I try to avoid screens before bed, opting instead for a novel. I stick to this routine because it provides a sense of stability in an otherwise unpredictable world, ensuring I remain productive without burning out.

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8 words

Useful vocabulary for this cue card

  • regimented

    Very organised and controlled with strict rules

  • port of call

    The first place you go or thing done

  • hushed

    Quiet and peaceful with very little noise

  • sporadic

    Happening at irregular intervals or scattered moments

  • liaising

    Communicating with people to exchange useful information

  • autonomy

    The freedom to act independently and control oneself

  • balancing act

    A difficult situation requiring careful management of priorities

  • burning out

    Becoming physically or mentally exhausted from overwork

4 questions

Part 3 follow-up questions

  1. 1How has the concept of a typical workday changed for people in your country?
  2. 2Do you think that having a rigid daily routine limits individual creativity?
  3. 3In what ways does technology make it harder for people to disconnect after work?
  4. 4Should schools teach children how to manage their time more effectively?

Answer each in three to five sentences: position, reason, example, limit. See how to answer IELTS Speaking Part 3.

Frequently asked questions

How should I start the cue card "Describe your daily routine"?+

Use chronological order to ensure you cover every bullet point without getting lost.

How long should I speak on an IELTS cue card?+

You get one minute to prepare, then speak for the full two minutes, about 220 to 280 words at a natural pace. The examiner will stop you at two minutes, which is a good sign, not a problem.

How is the cue card scored?+

Part 2 is not scored on its own. Your whole Speaking test gets one band from four criteria: fluency and coherence, vocabulary, grammar and pronunciation. The cue card is where the examiner hears whether you can keep going for two minutes.

Can I use this sample answer in the exam?+

Use its structure and vocabulary, not its sentences. Examiners recognise memorised answers and mark fluency down; a shorter answer from your own memory scores higher than a recited one.

Keep practising

More cue cards: an activity or habit

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