Talk about your daily routines - IELTS Speaking Part 1,2,3

This is a common and foundational topic that frequently appears in the IELTS Speaking test. You may be asked to describe your everyday activities or the plans you usually complete during a typical day. Although it is not considered a difficult topic, thorough preparation is still essential to ensure confident and fluent responses.

In the guide below, IDP provides you with ideas, useful expressions, and vocabulary to confidently tackle the IELTS Speaking topic “Talk about your daily routine.”

This topic often connects with other familiar themes like hobbies, work and study, family, and friends. To score well, make sure you are equipped with strong ideas and vocabulary to describe your daily habits clearly.

Common questions for the topic:

• What’s your daily routine nowadays

• What do you often do on weekdays

• What do you usually do after work

• What do you often do in your spare time

• If you had extra time, what would you do with it

Question: What is your daily routine?

Answer: I’m not exactly an early bird, but I always try my best to get up as early as possible so I can have more time to do the things I enjoy. I usually start my day with a 30-minute workout. Then I leave for work around 8 AM and return home by 5 PM. I often end my day around midnight by doing something that helps me relax. However, this routine is not fixed and may change depending on my responsibilities.

High-scoring vocabulary:

• Early bird

• Try one’s best

• Put my mind at ease

• Depend on

Question: Do you think it is important to have a study routine?

Answer: Yes, I strongly believe it’s essential to have a study routine. Having a clear schedule helps me visualize my learning progress and motivates me to work harder. It allows me to prioritize tasks and meet deadlines effectively. Without a routine, it’s easy to work spontaneously, which often reduces productivity.

Vocabulary:

• A big picture of something

• Meet deadline

• Studying progress

• Spontaneously

• Study efficiency

Question: How do you organize your study time?

Answer: To avoid putting pressure on myself, I try to study little by little every day. I always make a plan so I know exactly what to do first. When I feel energetic, I sit down immediately and focus to maximize my efficiency.

Vocabulary:

• Put pressure on oneself

• Little by little

• A great deal of

• Push up (study efficiency)

In Part 2 of the IELTS Speaking test, you’ll have one minute to prepare and up to two minutes to speak. You’ll receive a cue card and some paper to note your ideas logically and clearly.

Cue Card: Describe your daily routine

You should say:

• How you start your day

• How long you have been following this routine

• Your favorite time and activity of the day

• And explain what you do on a typical day of your life

How do you start your day:

• In the morning, I usually wake up around 8am

• The first thing I often do in the morning is to revise my homework before school time

Your favorite time and activity of the day:

• Nighttime is the best time for me, because after a long day of me being up to my ears in schoolwork, it’s good to sit back and relax while doing my hobbies.

And explain what you do on a typical day of your life:

• I often go outside to have some fresh air and might hit the gym if I feel like it.

• After some exercises, I go back home and make myself some food for lunchtime before going to school until 5pm

Cue Card: Talk about your daily routine

Sample Answer: Today, I’d like to talk about a typical day in my life as an office worker. During the week, my day starts with the dreaded sound of my alarm at 7:30 AM. I’m not naturally an early riser, so getting out of bed is always a struggle. After washing up and making my bed, I prepare a quick breakfast—something I’ve gotten into the habit of doing to save money and ensure it’s nutritious.

I’ve been following this routine for about two years since I started working as an accountant. Although I’ve been doing it for a while, I still have trouble getting up early. Maybe I need to adjust my sleep schedule.

My favorite time of the day is lunch. My coworkers and I usually order food together and try different dishes, which I always look forward to. It’s also a good time to catch my breath after a hectic morning.

The rest of my day involves meetings, deadlines, and project work. After work, I head home and unwind by reading. Sometimes I’ll meet a friend for coffee or a movie, but usually I spend the evening relaxing before going to bed and getting ready for another day.

Vocabulary:

• Dreaded

• Drag myself out of bed

• Get into the habit of

• Nutritional value

• Get used to

• Catch my breath

• Head home

• Have my nose in a book

• Ask someone out

• Gear up

Question: Is it hard to change a habit?

Answer: Yes, changing a habit is often difficult, especially if it’s a deeply ingrained one. As the saying goes, “old habits die hard.” Breaking a habit takes determination and consistency. People may revert to old behaviors when under stress or facing temptation. That’s why it’s important to have clear goals and remind yourself why you want to change.

Vocabulary:

• Old habits die hard

• Ingrained behavior

• Fall back into

• Temptation

• Revisit

Question: Do you think a 9-to-5 job is good?

Answer: Yes, especially for those who value work-life balance. A 9-to-5 schedule offers structure and predictability, allowing people to manage both work and personal life effectively. It helps them leave work at work and relax during their free time.

Vocabulary:

• Work-life balance

• Structured routine

• Put one’s mind at ease

Question: Why do some people not plan their day?

Answer: Some people prefer spontaneity and flexibility over strict schedules. They enjoy going with the flow and dislike repeating the same tasks daily. Creative individuals, in particular, may find that rigid planning limits their imagination. Artists, for example, often feel inspired by random encounters rather than pre-planned activities.

Vocabulary:

• Spontaneity

• Go with the flow

• Stick to

• Over and over again

• Think outside the box

• By chance

Common expressions:

Useful idioms:

• Grow into a habit

• Scroll through social media

• Take periodic pauses

• Practice a routine

• Get my mind ready for the day

• Head downstairs to work out

• Tackle the bulk

• Stumble out of bed

• Catch up with someone

• Give yourself plenty of time to

• Be under the weather

• Rise and shine

Grammar structures for the topic:

• The first thing I do in ... is ... Example: The first thing I do in the morning is have a cup of coffee.

• After ..., I would often ... Example: After dinner, I would often go for a short walk.

• Speaking of ..., I ... Example: Speaking of routines, I always start my day with a workout.

Prepare for the Topic “Talk About Your Daily Routine” with IDP

Above are sample answers, ideas, vocabulary, and expressions to help you confidently speak about your daily routine in the IELTS Speaking test. You can also review the IELTS Speaking assessment criteria to understand what examiners are looking for.

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