Describe a business that you would like to start in the future
Try the card on the exam timer first, then read the band-8 sample answer and the Part 3 questions that follow it.
Practice it like the exam
Describe a business that you would like to start in the future.
You should say:
- what kind of business it would be
- who your customers would be
- what you would need to start it
and explain why you think it would be successful.
Ready
1 minute to prepare, then 2 minutes to speak. It switches on its own.
Recordings stay in this tab and are never uploaded.
Band 8 sample answer
264 words · about 2 minutes at a natural pace · Phrases from the vocabulary list are highlighted.
One day, I'd like to start a small café that focuses on healthy, home-made food and good coffee. I've been thinking about it since my second year of university, when I realised that there were very few places near campus where students could eat something nutritious at a reasonable price.
My main customers would be students and young professionals, who often have little time and tend to buy fast food. I'd offer simple things like fresh salads, soups, sandwiches on home-baked bread, and fruit smoothies, together with locally roasted coffee and tea. I'd also like to create a relaxed atmosphere, with comfortable seating, free Wi-Fi and some shelves of books, so people can study or meet friends. Perhaps I'd hold small events too, such as poetry evenings or language exchanges.
To start, I'd need several things. First, start-up capital, which I'd probably collect from my own savings, a bank loan and perhaps a little help from family. I'd also need a suitable location, preferably a rented space near a university or office district, kitchen equipment, a licence and a small team of staff. Before that, I'd write a detailed business plan and spend some time working in a café to understand the daily operations.
I believe it could succeed because there is clear demand, and I'd focus on quality and a friendly atmosphere, which would encourage word-of-mouth recommendations. Of course, it will take hard work, and it might be a couple of years before I break even. But I'd love to be my own boss and create a place that people enjoy coming to.
What to notice
- It takes the points on the card in order, so the examiner can follow it.
- Each point gets a specific detail or a short story, which is what keeps a talk going for two minutes.
- The "explain" line at the end gets the most time, because that is where you give an opinion and show your range of language.
We wrote this answer for practice; it does not come from IELTS. Take its structure and phrases and tell your own story, because examiners notice memorised answers.
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Useful vocabulary
| Phrase | Meaning |
|---|---|
| start-up capital | the money needed to begin a business |
| a niche market | a small, specialised group of customers |
| be my own boss | work for myself rather than for others |
| word-of-mouth recommendation | customers telling others about you |
| break even | earn as much as you spend |
| a business plan | a written document describing how a business will work |
Plan it in one minute
Choose what to talk about in the first ten seconds, then write two or three key words for each point. Full sentences take too long to write and to read back.
Who or what you could talk about
- A café or bakery
- An online shop or app
- A tutoring or language centre
How to spend the two minutes
- 25 swhat kind of business it would be
- 25 swho your customers would be
- 25 swhat you would need to start it
- 45 sand explain why you think it would be successful.
Part 3 questions
In the exam these come straight after your talk, on the wider subject: Entrepreneurship and small business. Answer each in 3–4 sentences, with your view, a reason and an example.
- Why do some people prefer to run their own business rather than work for a company?
- What are the main difficulties of starting a new business?
- Should governments help young people to start companies?
- What qualities does a successful entrepreneur need?
- Are small family businesses likely to survive in the future?
Keep practicing
More cue cards: Plans and wishes
- Describe a foreign country where you would like to work or live for a while
- Describe a concert, festival or cultural event that you would like to go to in the future
- Describe a trip that you are planning to take in the future
- Describe a new hobby that you would like to take up
- Describe a foreign language (other than English) that you would like to learn
- Describe a change that you would like to make in your life
Part 1 topics on the same subject
Frequently asked questions
How do I talk about future plans in an IELTS cue card?
Say what you would like to do, why, and how you would go about it. Mix future forms: "I'm planning to", "I'd love to", "if I had the chance, I would". A plan you really have gives you more to say than an invented one.
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