Describe a person you know who has started their own business
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 person you know who has started their own business.
You should say:
- who this person is
- what kind of business they started
- how successful the business has been
and explain what you think of their decision to start a business.
Ready
1 minute to prepare, then 2 minutes to speak. It switches on its own.
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Band 8 sample answer
265 words · about 2 minutes at a natural pace · Phrases from the vocabulary list are highlighted.
The person I'd like to describe is my friend's older brother, Sherzod, who set up his own coffee shop about three years ago. I've known his family for a long time, and I used to visit the café nearly every week while I was studying for my exams.
He was working as an accountant in a large company, earning a stable salary, but he'd always dreamed of making coffee. He spent a year saving money, travelled to Turkey and Italy to learn about different brewing methods, and then rented a small space near the university. He did much of the interior design himself, including painting the walls and building some of the furniture from wooden pallets.
The business has been quite successful. At the beginning, there were hardly any customers, but he worked hard to build a loyal base by offering student discounts and free Wi-Fi, and by choosing very good beans. Now the café is full every afternoon, he employs five people, and he's opening a second branch next month.
I think his decision was brave and sensible. On the one hand, it was risky to leave a secure job, and some of his relatives tried to talk him out of it. On the other hand, he prepared carefully, and he was truly passionate about the idea. He's told me that the hardest part was the first six months, when he worked sixteen-hour days and made almost no profit.
I admire his persistence. His story has made me think that, if you have a plan and the determination, taking a risk can be worthwhile.
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 |
|---|---|
| set up a business | start a company |
| take a risk | do something that might fail |
| be your own boss | work for yourself |
| turn a profit | start making money |
| customer base | regular buyers of a business |
| start from scratch | begin with nothing |
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 relative who opened a café, shop or workshop
- A friend who runs an online business
- A former classmate who launched a start-up
How to spend the two minutes
- 25 swho this person is
- 25 swhat kind of business they started
- 25 show successful the business has been
- 45 sand explain what you think of their decision to start a business.
Part 3 questions
In the exam these come straight after your talk, on the wider subject: Entrepreneurship. 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 someone else?
- What are the biggest challenges for new businesses?
- Should the government help young entrepreneurs?
- Do you think entrepreneurs are born or made?
- Is it a good idea for students to start a business while studying?
Frequently asked questions
How should I describe a person in an IELTS cue card?
Pick someone you know well enough to tell a story about: that is easier to stretch to two minutes than a famous name. Say who they are and how you know them in a few sentences, spend most of your time on one or two specific moments, and finish with why they matter to you.
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