Sample Speaking Part 2: Describe a time you were sleepy but had to stay awake

“Describe a time you were sleepy but had to stay awake” is a topic of IELTS Speaking Part 2 that falls under the topic of Experiences & Events. Describing a personal experience is not something overly difficult. However, many candidates still feel quite confused when encountering this topic in the Speaking exam. Therefore, to help you achieve your desired Speaking band score, here is a sample IELTS Speaking Part 2 response on the topic "Describe a time you were sleepy but had to stay awake." Take a look!

I. Sample Speaking Part 2: Describe a time you were sleepy but had to stay awake

1. Cue card

The IELTS Speaking Part 2, often referred to as the "Long Turn," is a unique segment of the IELTS Speaking test where candidates are asked to speak uninterrupted for 1-2 minutes on a particular topic. Upon receiving a task card, candidates have one minute to prepare their thoughts and jot down notes on the given subject, which typically relates to personal experiences or opinions. This part assesses an individual's ability to express and develop ideas coherently, demonstrate a range of vocabulary, and utilize appropriate language fluency and pronunciation. It's a critical component that allows examiners to gauge a candidate's spontaneous speaking skills in a more structured manner. Below is an example:

Describe a time you were sleepy but had to stay awake. You should say:

• When it was?
• Why you had to stay awake?
• How you kept yourself awake?

And explain how you felt about it?

2. Detailed Sample Response

Below is a detailed sample response for the topic "Describe a time you were sleepy but had to stay awake" in IELTS Speaking Part 2, prepared by an A-grade teacher at PREP. Take a look to effectively practice for your IELTS Speaking exam at home!

When I was in my second year in college, we had a subject called Research Practice. This subject teaches us different research methods and asks us to apply those methods in practice. One of the most common ways of doing research is conducting questionnaires or surveys, and that was when I got involved in answering a questionnaire.

The questionnaire was a part of my classmate’s research to determine college students' study habits of English as a second/ foreign language in relation to how well they could use the language. I was asked to answer the survey to help my friend collect enough data for her study.

It’s quite funny to admit, but I was reluctant at first to take the survey because I was afraid that it would be too time-consuming. I was already quite occupied with my research at that time, and the deadlines were also close, so time mattered a lot to me. But eventually, I still agreed to help my friend.

I can’t remember exactly all of its content, as it’s been quite a long time since we did the questionnaire. But as far as I can recall, it asked something like how often I did homework, how much time I spent on self-studying, what sources of extra materials I usually sought out apart from our syllabus, and so on.

It turned out to be more rewarding than I thought. Even though the research was just a part of our assignment, I could reflect somewhat on my own study habits. Moreover, after finishing the survey, I had some good advice on questionnaire design from my friend to improve my own, as hers was a good one. That helped me a lot indeed.

Please refer to the following article:

• Sample Speaking Part 2: Describe an important event that you celebrated

II. Useful Vocabulary in "Describe a time you were sleepy but had to stay awake"

Here are some useful words that have been utilized by the teachers at PREP in the sample IELTS Speaking Part 2 response on the topic "Describe a time you were sleepy but had to stay awake." See the list below:

• to conduct a questionnaire/survey: to carry out a survey
• Determine: to decide or ascertain something
• to collect data: to gather information
• reluctant: hesitant or unwilling
• Occupied: busy or engaged
• Time-consuming: requiring a lot of time
• as far as I can recall: to the best of my memory
• syllabus: curriculum or course outline
• so on: and so forth, et cetera
• rewarding: satisfying or fulfilling
• to reflect: to think deeply or ponder
• questionnaire design: the creation or planning of a survey form

Refer to the sample response on "Describe a time you were sleepy but had to stay awake" and leave your comments below. Wish all the candidates successful IELTS exam preparation at home, achieving high scores, and feeling confident when facing the examiners in the real-life Speaking test!