IELTS Speaking Part 2 • Sleep
Answer planning template, vocabulary, and sample answer
Cue Card: Describe something you do that helps you sleep well.
You should say:
- What this activity is
- When you started doing it
- How you do it
And explain why you think this helps you sleep well.
Answer Planning Template
| Cue Card Section | What to Include | Useful Phrases & Sentence Starters |
|---|---|---|
| Introduction | Briefly introduce your sleep routine and its importance | "I'd like to talk about..." "One practice that significantly improves my sleep is..." "I've found that... really helps me get quality rest" |
| What the activity is | Describe the specific routine or activity in detail | "Essentially, it involves..." "This practice consists of..." "The main components are..." |
| When you started | Share when and why you began this practice | "I first adopted this routine when..." "It all began about... ago when..." "I was introduced to this by..." |
| How you do it | Explain the step-by-step process or method | "The process typically involves..." "I usually begin by..." "My approach is to..." |
| Why it helps you sleep | Explain the scientific or psychological benefits | "This helps because..." "The main benefit is that..." "I find this effective due to..." |
| Conclusion | Summarize benefits and personal impact | "Overall, this practice has..." "In conclusion, I would recommend..." "This has transformed my..." |
Useful Phrases: "I'd like to talk about...", "One practice that significantly improves my sleep is...", "I've found that... really helps me get quality rest"
Useful Phrases: "Essentially, it involves...", "This practice consists of...", "The main components are..."
Useful Phrases: "I first adopted this routine when...", "It all began about... ago when...", "I was introduced to this by..."
Useful Phrases: "The process typically involves...", "I usually begin by...", "My approach is to..."
Useful Phrases: "This helps because...", "The main benefit is that...", "I find this effective due to..."
Useful Phrases: "Overall, this practice has...", "In conclusion, I would recommend...", "This has transformed my..."
Essential Sleep Vocabulary for IELTS Speaking
| Vocabulary Term | Definition | Example Sentence |
|---|---|---|
| Sleep hygiene | Practices that promote consistent, quality sleep | "Good sleep hygiene includes maintaining a regular bedtime routine." |
| Circadian rhythm | The body's natural 24-hour sleep-wake cycle | "Traveling across time zones can disrupt your circadian rhythm." |
| Insomnia | Difficulty falling or staying asleep | "Stress at work sometimes causes temporary insomnia." |
| REM sleep | Rapid Eye Movement sleep where dreaming occurs | "REM sleep is crucial for memory consolidation and learning." |
| Sleep deprivation | Lack of sufficient sleep | "Chronic sleep deprivation can affect both physical and mental health." |
| Power nap | A short sleep taken during the day to restore energy | "A 20-minute power nap can significantly improve afternoon productivity." |
| Restorative sleep | Deep sleep that rejuvenates the body and mind | "Getting restorative sleep is essential for muscle recovery after exercise." |
| Sleep architecture | The structure and pattern of sleep cycles | "Aging can naturally change one's sleep architecture." |
Example: "Good sleep hygiene includes maintaining a regular bedtime routine."
Example: "Traveling across time zones can disrupt your circadian rhythm."
Example: "Stress at work sometimes causes temporary insomnia."
Example: "REM sleep is crucial for memory consolidation and learning."
Example: "Chronic sleep deprivation can affect both physical and mental health."
Example: "A 20-minute power nap can significantly improve afternoon productivity."
Example: "Getting restorative sleep is essential for muscle recovery after exercise."
Example: "Aging can naturally change one's sleep architecture."
High-Scoring Sample Answer (Band 8+)
What this activity is: I'd like to talk about my evening meditation practice, which has become an indispensable part of my sleep routine. It's a combination of mindfulness meditation and deep breathing exercises that I perform about thirty minutes before bedtime.
When I started doing it: I first adopted this practice about two years ago during a particularly stressful period at university. I was struggling with insomnia and constantly feeling fatigued. A friend who studies psychology suggested I try meditation as a natural remedy for sleep issues, and I've maintained the habit ever since.
How I do it: My routine is quite structured. I begin by dimming the lights in my bedroom and ensuring all electronic devices are put away. I then sit comfortably on a cushion with my back straight but relaxed. I start with five minutes of deep, diaphragmatic breathing, focusing on making my exhalations longer than my inhalations. This is followed by fifteen minutes of mindfulness meditation, where I simply observe my thoughts without judgment, letting them pass like clouds in the sky. I use a gentle timer that plays soft chimes to mark the end of the session.
Why I think this helps me sleep well: This practice is remarkably effective for several reasons. Primarily, it activates the parasympathetic nervous system, which is responsible for the body's rest-and-digest response, effectively counteracting the day's accumulated stress. The breathing techniques naturally lower heart rate and blood pressure, creating physiological conditions conducive to sleep. Mentally, it helps me detach from the day's worries and racing thoughts that often keep people awake. Unlike scrolling through social media or watching television, which can overstimulate the brain, meditation creates the mental stillness necessary for transitioning into sleep. Since incorporating this practice, I fall asleep more quickly, experience deeper, more restorative sleep, and wake up feeling genuinely refreshed rather than groggy.
Alternative Sleep Topics for Practice
Other sleep-related cue cards you might encounter:
- "Describe a time you had difficulty sleeping"
- "Talk about a person who has healthy sleep habits"
- "Describe a place where you sleep well"
- "Talk about something that affects your sleep patterns"
Tips for success: Use specific examples from your experience, incorporate sleep-related vocabulary naturally, and explain both the 'what' and the 'why' behind your sleep practices.
See more Part 2 topics
Comments