IELTS Speaking Part 1 - Practice (Morning Time)

How the drill works

1. Record your answer. You hear the question, start recording on your phone, and answer when the timer starts.
2. Learn useful words for that question, with an example for each.
3. Learn one grammar pattern and make your own sentence with it.
4. Hear two sample answers: an extrovert (a more outgoing speaker) and an introvert.
5. Get one pronunciation tip.
6. Record again and listen to both of your answers.
7. Drill the key words: listen and repeat, shadowing, fill the gap, and say it with the pattern.
8. Take a mock test with the examiner, then check the recap.

Pause the video whenever you see the pause sign. The more you do, the more you’ll improve.

Question 1

Do you get up early in the morning? Why or why not?

Words: early bird, night owl, hit the hay

Pattern (describe yourself): I’m more of a / an ___ .

• I’m more of a night owl.
• I’m more of an early bird, to be honest.

Extrovert: “Yes, I’m an early bird for sure. I like to get up early, exercise, and start my day with energy.”

Introvert: “Not really. I’m more of a night owl. I usually hit the hay quite late, so I wake up late unless I have something important planned.”

Pronunciation tip (linking): link the words so they sound like one smooth chunk: more of a night owl → “mor-uv-uh nigh-towl”.

Question 2

Do you have the same morning routine every day?

Words: stick to, run on autopilot

Pattern (talk about routines): I usually ___ , ___ , and ___ .

• I usually wake up, shower, and have breakfast.
• First I make coffee, then I check my emails.

Extrovert: “Pretty much. I usually run on autopilot. I wake up, shower, eat, and head out the door.”

Introvert: “Yes, I like having structure. I stick to the same routine every morning, because it helps me stay focused.”

Pronunciation tip (word stress): routine is rou-TEEN, not ROU-tine.

Question 3

Do you usually eat breakfast at home? Why or why not?

Words: multitask, stick to

Pattern (give a preference): I’d rather ___ than ___ .

• I’d rather eat at home than buy food outside.
• I’d rather sleep longer than cook breakfast.

Extrovert: “Not really. I often grab something on the go. I’d rather multitask while I get dressed than sit down to eat.”

Introvert: “Yes, I always eat at home. It’s quiet, and it helps me stick to my morning rhythm. I’d rather eat at home than buy food outside.”

Pronunciation tip: keep the short d sound in I’d rather (I’d rather = I would rather). Not “I rather”.

Question 4

Are there any differences between what you do in the morning now and what you did in the past?

Words: night owl, morning person, make the most of, run on autopilot

Pattern (past vs now): I used to ___ , but now I ___ .

• I used to sleep in, but now I get up at six.
• I used to skip breakfast, but now I eat at home.

Extrovert: “Yeah, a big difference. I used to sleep in a lot, because I was a total night owl. Now I’ve become more of a morning person, and I try to make the most of my mornings.”

Introvert: “Yes. I used to rush a lot before school. Now I plan more time in the morning to read, or eat slowly. I still run on autopilot, but in a more peaceful way.”

Pronunciation tip: in used to, the s sounds like s, not z, and to is very short: “yoos-tuh”.

All 4 questions: words and patterns

Practise it yourself

1. Record yourself answering all four questions without looking at this page.
2. Listen back. Did you use a pattern and at least one new word in each answer?
3. Try this routine with any Part 1 topic: record, learn, drill, and test yourself. Then try the practice question below.