# Describe a positive change in your life: IELTS Speaking sample answers

Speaking Part 2 - Experiences

Describe a positive change in your life.

You should say:
- what the change was
- when it happened
- how it happened
- and explain why it was a positive change

Source: Sample answers and examiner notes are written by Testmigo.

## Band 7 sample

A positive change I'd like to talk about is that I became a morning person. It happened about two years ago, when I was in my final year at university.

Before that, I always went to bed really late, like two or three in the morning, because I was watching videos or chatting with friends online. Then I woke up at the last minute, skipped breakfast and rushed to my classes, and I felt tired all day. My grades weren't terrible, but I knew I wasn't doing my best.

How did it happen? Well, it started almost by accident. I got a part-time job at a café which opened at seven, so I had to get up at six, three days a week. The first two weeks were awful, I was exhausted. But because I was so tired, I started falling asleep earlier, and after about a month my body got used to wake up early. Then I noticed that I actually liked the mornings. So I decided to keep the same routine every day, even when I wasn't working. I also stopped taking my phone to bed, which helped a lot.

Why was it positive? First of all, I have much more energy now. I usually go for a short run or do some exercise, have a proper breakfast and still have time to plan my day. Secondly, I became more productive, because my mind is more clearer in the morning, so I did most of my studying before lunch, and my final grades were the best I've ever had. And also, I just feel calmer in general. I don't feel like I'm always running late any more.

**Examiner notes.** This Band 7 answer explains the change clearly, using a believable cause (the café job) and concrete before-and-after details. Expressions like "a morning person", "at the last minute" and "running late" are used appropriately. Linking is rather predictable ("first of all", "secondly", "and also"), the rhetorical questions make the structure feel a little rehearsed, and there are typical errors: "got used to wake up early" (rather than "got used to waking up") and the double comparative "more clearer" (rather than "clearer"). For Band 8, the speaker would use more varied, precise language and explore the deeper effect of the change.

The Band 8 sample is free with an account on the [topic page](https://testmigo.com/ielts/speaking/topics/describe-a-positive-change-in-your-life).

## Common questions

### How long should an IELTS Speaking Part 2 answer be?

You get one minute to prepare and then speak for up to two minutes; the examiner stops you at two. Aim to keep talking for the full time, which is usually 220 to 300 words.

### Can I use these sample answers in my test?

No. Examiners are trained to spot memorised answers, and a learned script is marked down. Use the samples to see what each band does, then answer in your own words.