Cue Cards Samples with band 8 answers
Describe one of your typical days - Cue Card # 97
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IELTS Speaking Part 2: IELTS Cue Card/ Candidate Task Card.
[The topic for your talk will be written on a card which the examiner will hand over to you. Read it carefully and then make some brief notes.]
Describe one of your typical days.
You should say:
- how you start your day
- how long you have been following this routine
- what is your favourite time of a typical day
and explain what you do on a typical day of your life.
[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:
My day starts with a casual walk in the front yard of my house when Uncle "Sun" is just about to start shining with its smiley face. Then I start my routine morning activities, including freshening up, taking breakfast and reading some news on the internet to keep myself up to date with what is happening in the world.
On a typical weekday, I don't really worry too much about my breakfast, but on a weekend, I can be really "handful" when it comes to my breakfast, as I want my toast and omelette to be really fresh and hot, as if coming right out of the oven. Anyway, then comes the difficult part of dragging myself out to work since it involves almost an hour of commuting on a day with regular traffic (now you can only imagine how long it would take me to reach my work on a day when the traffic situation is really bad).
If I reach my work on time, consider that I am lucky since I don't really have to find a "valid" reason for the delay. Finally, it is actually time to start working on my tasks, and I exactly know what they really are. But, unfortunately, on a typical day, I pretty much spend my time "helping" my co-workers from 8 am to almost 1 pm lunchtime. It is actually after finishing my lunch that I get to work on my own "scheduled tasks". I hurry as much as I can to finish the tasks before 6 pm so that I can get out of my office on time, only, of course, to find out that it is almost 7 pm, and I haven't even finished half of my tasks for the day!
The only "consolation prize" for me at the end of a long working day, of course, is that I won't get "admonished" by my boss the next day for failing to deliver the work on time, as he is very much aware of my "generosity" to the co-workers. At 7 pm, it is time for me to actually leave the office and finally enjoy my favourite time of the day.
After finishing my office work, I don't take a straight ride to my home. Instead, I take a little walk (about 15 minutes) to my favourite café, located inside a beautiful garden for the nature lovers like me, for the purpose of unwinding myself with a cup of fresh cappuccino while also smoking my favourite Dunhill international cigarettes occasionally. I never really spend more than 2 hours at my favourite café, but these two hours allow me an opportunity to think about anything and everything that is not related to my "work" and "money".
Then, after enjoying my favourite part of the day, which pretty much worked like a healthy dose of "tonic" for me, when I return home, I know that I am ready for the next day. I have been following this "not-so" glamorous routine of life for the last 5 years or so with nothing really exciting to offer, but, nevertheless, it is a life of some routines, and I don't really have much to complain about it.
Model Answer 2:
I am still a student, and I have a daily routine that mostly revolves around my classes, friends and studies. I spend my days mostly adhering to this routine, except for Sundays, when I do not follow a specific routine. Thank you so much for allowing me to talk about this interesting topic.
I get up early in the morning, mostly at around 6:30 am and take a shower. A hot, refreshing shower makes me ready to take on the challenges of the day! I eat my breakfast and then get ready for university. I reach my university roughly at 8:30 am and attend the classes till 3:00 pm. I eat my lunch at around 1:00 pm from the university cafeteria. I usually spend some time with my classmates after classes and return home at around 4:30 pm. I take some rest and go to the nearby fields in the evening. I walk for an hour and return home at 6:30 pm. Sometimes I play football with my friends.
In the evening, I eat some light snacks and then concentrate on my studies. I usually read till 9:00 pm and then spend a few minutes browsing the internet. I usually browse the internet for about 1-2 hours a day. I eat my supper at 11:00 pm and then read for another hour. Before I go to bed, I brush my teeth and read a novel. I read the novel for around 40 minutes to 1:30 hours and then fall asleep.
I have been following this routine for the last 3 years. If I do not have classes or if I have holidays, I go through a different routine which includes watching movies, playing computer games, hanging out with friends and so on. I enjoy the morning shower, evening walks and my classes very much among the activities in a day of my life. Sometimes, playing football with my friends is thoroughly exciting and entertaining.
Model Answer 3:
Introduction:
Thank you so much for this interesting topic that would allow me to share a typical day of my life with you.
How you start your day:
On a typical day, I usually wake up around 6:30 in the morning. The very first thing I do is check my phone for messages or updates, but I try not to get stuck scrolling because that easily eats up half an hour. After that, I freshen up, have a light breakfast (usually toast and eggs) and then spend about fifteen minutes reviewing notes for the classes I’ll have that day. This small routine helps me feel organised before I leave for university.
How long you have been following this routine:
I’ve been following this routine for almost a year now, ever since the last semester started. Before that, I used to wake up much later and constantly rush through my mornings. But over time, I realised that having a consistent schedule makes me more productive and less stressed, so I’ve been quite strict about sticking to it.
What is your favourite time of a typical day:
My favourite time of the day is the evening, right after classes. That’s when I get to relax with friends or do something I genuinely enjoy. Sometimes we grab snacks from a small food stall near campus, and other times I just sit in my room, listen to music, or watch an episode of a series.
And explain what you do on a typical day of your life:
Overall, a typical day in my life is pretty balanced between study and relaxation. During the day, most of my time is spent in lectures, library sessions, or group projects. After coming back home, I take a short nap, have dinner with my family, and then do some revision or assignments for a couple of hours. I usually end my day by reading a few pages of a book before going to bed. This routine might sound ordinary, but it keeps me grounded and gives me the structure I need as a student.
Idea generation for this Candidate task card / Cue card topic:
Describing a typical day is a great way to show routine vocabulary, time expressions and personal detail. Below are a few distinct ideas you can use. So, pick one that best matches your real life and expand with specific times, feelings and short examples.
1. Early-bird student routine:
I start the day at dawn with a quick jog and a healthy breakfast, then spend the morning on focused study sessions or online classes. I have followed this pattern since I began preparing for university exams last year, and my favourite time is the quiet early morning when distractions are minimal. On a typical day, I alternate two hours of study with short breaks, review notes before lunch, and finish with light revision in the evening - the routine keeps my energy steady and reduces last-minute panic.
2. Remote-worker / freelancer schedule:
My day begins by checking emails and writing a short to-do list while drinking coffee, then I block out deep-work periods for client projects. I’ve worked this way for about three years and enjoy late-morning focus sessions the most because ideas flow best then. Typically, I split the day into two main work blocks with a long midday break for a walk or a quick home-cooked meal, using the quieter afternoon for calls and the evening for admin and learning new skills.
3. Office-based 9-to-5 routine:
I wake up, get ready, commute and arrive at the office before nine, where mornings are for meetings and afternoons for concentrated tasks. I’ve kept this pattern for several years and my favourite time is the post-lunch hour when workflow settles and I can tick things off my list. A typical day includes checking priorities first thing, tackling the hardest task before lunch, responding to emails after, and wrapping up with a short plan for tomorrow so I leave the office with a clear head.
4. Parent with young children:
My day starts early with preparing breakfast and getting the kids ready for school, which has been my reality since they were little. The busiest part is the morning rush, but my favourite time is the late afternoon when we relax together and share stories about the day. On a typical day, I juggle school drop-offs, part-time work or chores, playtime, homework supervision and a structured evening routine to keep everyone calm before bedtime.
5. Shift worker routine:
My day depends on the roster, but on a daytime shift, I wake up late, have a compact morning routine and head to work for the afternoon-to-evening shift. I’ve followed rotating shifts for a couple of years and the favourite part is the wind-down after finishing a shift - that first quiet hour at home feels luxurious. Typically, I manage sleep carefully, use naps when needed, plan meals around shift times, and prioritise light exercise on off-days to keep health in check.
6. Student-athlete / fitness-focused schedule:
I begin before sunrise with training, then attend classes or study in blocks between workouts; I’ve kept this routine since joining the team. My favourite time is the training session itself because physical effort clears my head and boosts concentration for the rest of the day. A typical day mixes high-intensity practice, recovery (stretching, nutrition), academic work and early nights to ensure adequate rest and peak performance.
7. Retiree / relaxed structured day:
My day starts gently - a walk, reading the newspaper and a leisurely breakfast - a routine I developed after retiring and have kept for a few years. I enjoy mid-morning social activities most, such as meeting friends for tea or volunteering. Typically, I split the day between hobbies (gardening, reading), light exercise, occasional errands and time with family, deliberately keeping obligations light but meaningful.
8. Gig-economy or multi-job routine:
I alternate short shifts or gigs throughout the day, starting with one platform job in the morning and another in the afternoon, a pattern I adopted to maximise income and flexibility. My favourite time is the brief breaks between gigs when I can recharge and plan the next task. On a typical day, I manage multiple apps, track earnings, prioritise high-demand slots, and squeeze in quick meals and rest so I stay productive without burning out.
Vocabulary for this Candidate task card/ Cue card topic:
When describing a typical day, using specific vocabulary can effectively convey your daily routine, how long you've followed it, your favourite moments, and the various activities that fill your time. Thoughtful word choices will help you articulate the rhythm of your day, whether it's productive, hectic, or relaxed, making your response both personal and relatable. Here are some relevant words and phrases:
Routine: – A sequence of actions regularly followed; a fixed program.
Example: My daily routine helps me stay organised and focused.
Schedule: – A plan for carrying out a process or procedure, giving a list of intended events and times.
Example: I follow a strict schedule to make sure I get everything done.
Morning routine: – The set of actions one performs every morning upon waking up.
Example: My morning routine usually involves exercise and a healthy breakfast.
Productive: – Achieving a significant amount or result.
Example: I try to make my mornings as productive as possible.
Hectic: – Full of feverish activity, confusion, or haste.
Example: My afternoons are usually hectic with meetings and errands.
Tedious: – Too long, slow, or dull; tiresome or monotonous.
Example: Some parts of my day can be quite tedious, like a long commute.
Commute: – The journey to and from one's place of work or study.
Example: My daily commute takes about an hour, which I use to listen to podcasts.
Unwind: – To relax after a period of work or tension.
Example: In the evenings, I like to unwind by reading a book or watching a movie.
Favourite time: – A preferred period or moment of the day.
Example: My favourite time of day is the evening, when I can relax and reflect.
Reflect: – To think deeply or carefully about something.
Example: At the end of the day, I take some time to reflect on my progress.
Habit: – A settled or regular tendency or practice, especially one that is hard to give up.
Example: My morning coffee has become a daily habit I can't live without.
Time management: – The process of planning and exercising conscious control over the amount of time spent on specific activities, especially to increase effectiveness, efficiency, or productivity.
Example: I've been focusing on improving my time management skills to make my day more efficient.
Balanced: – Having its different elements in the correct proportions.
Example: I try to have a balanced day with a mix of work, rest, and personal activities.
Monotonous: – Dull, tedious, and repetitious; lacking in variety and interest.
Example: Sometimes my routine feels a little monotonous, but I appreciate the stability.
Unpredictable: – Not able to be foreseen or predicted.
Example: My work schedule is very unpredictable, so I don't have a fixed daily routine.
Daily grind: – The unpleasant or difficult aspects of one's everyday life or work.
Example: I'm happy with my job, but sometimes the daily grind can get to me.
If you prepare for the topic "Describe one of your typical days", you should be able to talk about the following topics as well:
1) Describe one of your usual days.
2) Describe a relaxing day you recently had.
3) Describe a holiday you recently enjoyed.
4) Describe a day you stayed home.
5) Describe a typical working day for you.
6) Describe your journey to your school or office.
7) Describe your first day at work or the place where you study.
8) Describe an activity that you like doing.
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