IELTS SPEAKING CUE CARD
[PART 2]
A FAMILY BUSINESS YOU
KNOW
Describe a family business you know
You should say:
- What it is
- Who the customers are
- How they run the business
And explain why you like it
A N S W E R
I’m very fortunate to be surrounded by friends whose interest is running their own business instead of working for others because they give me so much inspiration to believe in myself and that I can go beyond the limit in achieving my dream as they do.
LEXICAL RESOURCE
Fortunate [adj.] – lucky; blessed
Run one’s business [phrasal verb] – to manage; operate
Go beyond the limit [expression] – to exceed the boundary
TIP
i.) The speaker started his introductory part by talking about how lucky he was to have friends who were into business and how his business-minded friends impacted his life. This kind of introduction made the speaker showcase his language skills to the examiner as he was able to connect the topic to his life experience. Because of that, he sounded very natural and confident in speaking the language. This kind of introduction is better than those repetitive ‘I’d like to talk about…’.
Let me tell you one fascinating and environment-friendly business that my dear friend and his family have, which they have been operating for many years now and that’s a recycling business. My friend’s parents started running this business in 1999 in the countryside where they are still living at the moment. According to my friend, during the early years of his parents’ business, his father collected plastic bottles, pieces of paper, cardboard, and metals in every household in the neighborhood. His father bought the recyclable wastes of their neighbors for a very cheap price but some declined payment as they were happy that his father collected their wastes.
LEXICAL RESOURCE
Fascinating [adj.] – interesting
Environment-friendly [adj.] – eco-friendly; operating in a way that does not harm the environment
Dear [adj.] – beloved; loved; cherished
Household [noun] – house; family; family circle
Decline [verb] – refuse
TIP
i.) In this part, the speaker started answering the task that he was asked to do. He began talking about the business that his friend’s family has. The details mentioned here serve as a background story. This is more than important and this is the right time to talk about the background details in order to have a strong foundation for the story. This is like a history of how the business started.
On the other hand, his mother is the one who contacted major recycling companies in the city. They acted as a supplier to different recycling companies. As my friend told me, in the early 2000s this kind of business was not that common yet, as a result, his parents barely had competitors as suppliers, so it was never a surprise that they could really make a fortune from the trash. It was in the year 2008 when his parents decided to establish their own recycling company, as they could already afford to buy the machines needed for recycling. Since then, their business has continued to prosper and they’re able to provide lots of job opportunities to people. The last time I talked to my friend, he told me that he had just taken over his parents’ business since they just retired.
I couldn’t help but be inspired by the story of my friend’s family since their business is not only helping people in their community but also the environment and I realized that creativity and perseverance are needed when one wants to start his own business.
LEXICAL RESOURCE
Barely [adv.] – almost not/none
Make a fortune [phrase] [idiom] – to acquire wealth
Establish [verb] – build
Prosper [verb] – succeed
Take over [phrasal verb] – to take control
(I) couldn’t help oneself [phrase] – is used to say when someone cannot stop themselves from doing something
TIPS
i.) THIRD PARAGRAPH: In this part, the speaker talked more substantially about the story. He gave more details as to how his friend’s parents run their business and how it flourished and he also talked about the current situation of the business. Some of the details in this part are supplemental just to smoothly develop the story.
ii) LAST PARAGRAPH: This part is the explanation as to why the speaker liked that family business which was also one of the key points in the cue card. Also, he added his realization in this part to make the ending of his story insightful. That’s impressive!
PART 3
What are the advantages and disadvantages of the family business?
Well, I believe there are numerous benefits and drawbacks of a business that is run by a family, however, let me talk about the most common ones. For the benefits, the relationship of each member of the family becomes stronger since every day they spend time together working and share a common goal which is to succeed.
Also, the maximum work efficiency is more than ensured because they are more committed to work than outsiders. On the other hand, the problems include jealousy among other family members when one is being designated a higher position than the others and this would result in conflict. In addition, the family problem at home is highly likely to be brought to work.
Well for sure, there are more advantages and disadvantages that are worth mentioning but those things I have mentioned are the primary ones.
LEXICAL RESOURCE
Numerous [adj.] – many
Ensure [verb] – to be certain
Outsider [noun] – someone who is not part of the family
Designate [verb] – to appoint
(high) likely [adj.] – having a high probability
TIPS
i.) The speaker was able to completely give the advantages and disadvantages and he clearly explained each of them. Always make sure that you answer what is being asked – some students only give one advantage and disadvantage when, in fact, they are asked to provide more than one.
ii.) The speaker ended his answer in a conclusive way acknowledging that there are other positive and negative sides to the family business but he could only emphasize the important ones. It’s always best to end your answer properly.
What skills are needed to be a successful business person?
In my opinion, in order for a businessman to be successful, he must have excellent communication skills as he needs to interact or deal with different kinds of customers or potential clients that would help his business prosper. Without it, he will not be able to make his business flourish as communication is the most important tool to succeed in any type of business.
Also, he has to possess problem-solving skills because every now and again, a business encounters some challenges that need a better decision, sometimes under pressure. And lastly, he has to have financial management skills, which means being able to make sound or reasonable financial decisions to increase profit and avoid financial losses. I believe the absence of these skills or any of these skills surely makes every business go bankrupt.
LEXICAL RESOURCE
Deal with [phrasal verb] – discuss; talk; consider
Potential (clients) [adj.] – possible; likely
Flourish [verb] – grow; prosper
Possess [verb] – have
Go bankrupt [idiom] – not being able to pay debt
TIPS
i.) The speaker presented three very important skills the provided a clear explanation for each of them. When answering questions in Part 3, you have to make sure that everything is well-discussed. It should be clear enough to the examiner’s mind so that he will not have any confusion about your answers.
ii.) Notice how the speaker ended his answer properly – it’s his reflection on what would happen if a business person lacks any of those.
Are men better than women at running a business?
That is a very complicated question and I do not want to sound prejudiced because managing a business successfully does not rely on a person’s gender. I suppose there are some businessmen who are genius at running a business and there are also some businesswomen who are fearless and determined in making their business prosper. I believe the gender of a person has nothing to do with the success of a business but the skills of a business person play a crucial role.
So for me, we should never claim that men are better than women and vice versa because it is always the skills that matter the most.
LEXICAL RESOURCE
Prejudiced [adj.] – biased
Crucial [adj.] – of great importance
Claim [verb] – to declare
Vice versa [adv.] – used to say that what you have just said is also true in the opposite order
…matter the most [expression] – used to emphasize what is the most important
TIPS
i.) The speaker started his answer by being honest telling the examiner that the question was complicated and that he didn’t want to be biased. He sounded very natural here. Don’t be afraid to say what you really feel inside as it is the best way to express your sentiment or opinion. It’s when we are true to ourselves that we can express ourselves better.
ii.) Here, the speaker didn’t really choose between men and women, instead, he justified his answer as to why he couldn’t choose between the two and why gender was not the barometer of who is better. He presented his answer in a direct way. Excellent!
Do people in your country like to work for big companies or small companies?
Well, to be honest, that is a matter of personal preference, however, it is inevitable that most people in my country are trying their very best to secure a job in major companies, as the benefits are way better than the small companies.
As a matter of fact, parents in our country send their children to reputable universities to get better education and training, so that their chance of getting hired by giant companies like Toyota or Sony is high. I believe the idea of wanting to work in well-established companies is not really unique as I think this is universal. Most people in the world aim to work in those types of companies because of stability.
LEXICAL RESOURCE
Preference [noun] – choice; liking
Inevitable [adj.] – unavoidable; certain to happen
Way better [expression] – another way to say ‘much better’
Reputable [adj.] – well-respected
Well-established [adj.] – having a recognized position
Universal [adj.] – common; general
TIPS
i.) First, the speaker expressed a general thought that it is people’s preference, and then he transitioned his answer by stating his personal opinion and choosing one choice from the other. Then he presented a very good explanation to support his argument mentioning the trend in his country.
ii.) He then ended his answer by giving his observation that the majority of people in the world aim to work in big companies, not just the people in his own country. A very good way to end his answer better.
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IELTS Speaking PART 1 Topic
about PARKS AND GARDENS.
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Meaning of Words and Phrases Sources: Collins, Macmillan, Cambridge, Oxford
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