IELTS VocabMaster

Describe a time when you got up early.

Describe a time when you got up early. You should say: - when it was - why you got up early - what you did - and explain how you felt about it

Part 2 model answer

A time I clearly remember getting up really early was during a trip to Kuakata, a beach town in the southern part of Bangladesh. This was about a year and a half ago, and I woke up at around four in the morning.

The reason was that Kuakata is famous for being one of the very few beaches in the world where you can watch both the sunrise and the sunset over the sea. Since I'm normally a night owl and rarely wake up early, I'd never seen a proper sunrise before. So my friends and I made a promise the night before that we'd all wake up early and go to the beach together.

Honestly, getting out of bed was a real struggle. It was still completely dark outside, and I felt like sleeping for another few hours. But my friend kept knocking on my door until I finally got up. We washed our faces, put on light jackets because it was a bit chilly, and walked to the eastern side of the beach. It took us about twenty minutes, and we were among the first people to arrive.

We sat on the sand and waited quietly. Slowly, the sky started changing colour, from dark blue to purple, then orange and pink. And then, the sun rose right out of the sea like a huge glowing ball. It was absolutely breathtaking. We took lots of photos, but honestly, no picture could capture how beautiful it really looked.

I felt incredibly peaceful and happy, and all my tiredness just disappeared. It made me realise that waking up early can be really rewarding. Since then, I've been trying to wake up earlier, although I still struggle sometimes.

Part 3 discussion

Do you think it is better to wake up early or late?

I think waking up early is generally better, because people have more time to plan their day and can be more productive. The morning is usually quieter, so it's easier to focus. However, everyone's body clock is different, and some people genuinely work better at night. So, as long as people get enough sleep, the timing can depend on the individual.

Why do some people find it difficult to wake up early?

The main reason is going to bed too late, often because of using phones or watching TV at night. Some people have irregular schedules due to work or study. Stress and poor sleep quality can also make it hard to wake up feeling fresh. And of course, some people are naturally night owls.

What kinds of jobs require people to get up early?

Many jobs require early starts, such as farmers, bakers, market traders, and delivery workers. Teachers and school staff also need to be at school early. Drivers, especially those who transport goods or passengers, often begin their day before sunrise. In hospitals, doctors and nurses on morning shifts start very early as well.

How does sleep affect people's performance at work or school?

Sleep has a huge impact on performance. When people get enough sleep, they can concentrate better, remember information, and make good decisions. Lack of sleep, on the other hand, makes people tired, irritable, and more likely to make mistakes. Over time, poor sleep can also lead to serious health problems.

Do young people today sleep less than in the past?

I believe so. Many young people stay up late using their phones, chatting online, or watching videos. Academic pressure and long study hours also cut into their sleep. In the past, there were fewer distractions at night, so people generally went to bed earlier. This change has definitely affected young people's health and energy levels.