Describe a successful businessperson you know: IELTS Speaking Cue Card

You should say

Who this person is?
How you knew him/her?
What business he/she does?
And explain why he/she is successful.

11 unique answers with expert feedback

What qualities do you think contributed to your mother's success?

I believe her determination, resilience, and ability to adapt to new situations were key. She faced many challenges but never gave up. Her strong work ethic and commitment to her family also played a significant role in her success.

How has your mother's success influenced your career aspirations?

Her journey has inspired me to pursue my own goals with confidence. I admire her independence and hard work, and it motivates me to strive for success in my own career. I want to emulate her dedication and make a positive impact in my field.

What challenges did your mother face while starting her business?

She faced numerous challenges, including financial constraints, lack of local knowledge, and competition. Additionally, balancing family responsibilities while establishing her business was tough. However, her perseverance helped her overcome these obstacles.

Band 7

00:00

Elon Musk's success story is nothing short of extraordinary, I first learned about him when I read an article about Tesla, as you might know Elon Musk is the founder and CEO of Tesla corporation and SpaceX and numerous other businesses. What makes me look up to him, what makes me fascinated about his work is innovation, how he brings innovation onto the table with a twist. For example, Tesla, the first and the most successful electric vehicle manufacturer in this world, how he incorporated his sleek designs with the consciousness about making it electric so that it is future proof. When it comes to SpaceX, what SpaceX has been able to achieve and is still trying to achieve is going to shape the world for sure.

Follow up questions

What qualities do you think are essential for a successful businessperson?

I believe qualities like resilience, creativity, and strong leadership are essential. A successful businessperson must be able to adapt to challenges, think outside the box, and inspire their team to work towards a common goal.

How do you think innovation impacts the success of a business?

Innovation is crucial as it allows businesses to differentiate themselves in the market. It can lead to new products, improved processes, and ultimately, greater customer satisfaction, which drives sales and growth.

What challenges do you think Elon Musk faces in his businesses?

Elon Musk faces numerous challenges, including intense competition, regulatory hurdles, and the need for constant innovation. Additionally, managing a large workforce and maintaining a positive public image can be quite demanding.

IELTS Cue Cards asked last week

Reported by Leap students who gave IELTS

Describe your favourite food at a traditional festival or a special event in your country

Reported by

Anonymous student Band 7.5

Pitampura Test Centre, New Delhi

Answer

I like to taste different types of cuisine. Here I would like to talk about my favorite dish at my traditional festival of Onam which is Sadya. Sadya is popular in my city. We are experimenting these cuisines on Onam festival day. Onam is a famous festival in my city. All family members get together in my home and we make a delicious Sadya. There are many ingredients includes that Sadya. Moreover, we make a big feast that day as well as we create a lot of memories together and we wear that day the traditional dress called Sari and men wear the Dhotis. That festival is really important to us because the whole day we are conducting different kinds of games at our homes and all the family members came together. It's a memorable day in my life. This is the festival. We are making the Sambar and Aviyal. These all the kinds of foods are making with the vegetables.

Talk about a toy you liked in your childhood

Reported by

Anonymous student Band 8

Sector 34 Test Centre, Chandigarh

Answer

The toy which I liked in my childhood was a panda doll, which makes me pleasant and makes me more blush. The pandas are the most beautiful creatures of the world, which looks gigantic and has pooshy cheeks and they are like stars in the clouds and they dream in me. Furthermore, these have been given by my father. My father is a very very beautiful artistic person, who makes me think of that. Every day you will face every difficulties and make you suffer and move forward. Pandas are always seen in Japanese countries. It is my lifelong dream to visit a Japanese country and click a photo with the original pandas, which makes sounds better.

Describe a time you were in a place where you didn't know the local language

Reported by

Anonymous student Band 6.5

Whitefield Test Center, Bengaluru

Answer

As India is a very large country full of diversity, so there are many places which have their own language and speak their native language. The place which I visited and I didn't know about their language was Leladakh, which is about 300 km away from my hometown and it is a very good place as it consists of different kind of trees, animals and have many scenic views and I visited over there last year in summers as it was the best time to visit because it has many, it was cold over there and we had summers in our area so it was the best time to visit over there and I went over there with my whole family.

Describe a time when your friend damaged something you owned

Reported by

Anonymous student Band 7

Begumpet Test Centre, Hyderabad

Answer

When I was a kid, I had a little pencil box which had these four buttons which gave the pencil box an operative use. When you press the button, the box would open up. When you press the second button, a little part of it would slide out. Basically it was just a little electronical and a fun thing to have and I owned it when I was in 6th. One day after break, I was standing and talking there with one of my friends and another friend of mine was running through the hallway and accidentally she pushed my shoulder and my pencil box hit the ground and it broke into multiple pieces to the point that it was not functional anymore.

Describe a book you recently read

Reported by

Anonymous student Band 7.5

CBD Belapur Test Centre, Navi Mumbai

Answer

It Ends With Us is a book I read recently. It's by the author Colleen Hoare. It's mainly a story about two teenagers, Atlas and Lily, and how they just handle their life going through high school, adolescence, and just domestic violence at home. Both of them come from very, very different families. However, they have one common determining factor between them, which is domestic violence. The abuse that they've seen their moms go through is just insane, and they connect through that on a different level. They're actually in the same high school, but they never speak to each other until Atlas actually crashes into an empty house next to Lily's villa. When Atlas is homeless and he doesn't have anywhere to go, he just comes and breaks into the house next to Lily's, and Lily helps him with all the daily necessities like clothes and food, medicines and stuff. Furthermore, their friendship blossoms into love, but it doesn't really fructify as Atlas has to leave. This book really gave me a lot of knowledge about domestic abuse and how to deal with it.

Band 6-7

00:00

The quite successful businessman that I could recall is none other than Ambani. Ambani is a famous figure known in India and I've known him only from media only, I don't know him personally and he does every possible business one could imagine of, where his business started from textile industry and went on developing into a huge petroleum business and he also has a business of telecommunication where quite good revenue are coming and I think he is the second, he is the successful business person in whole India and he is the second richest person in India and the good qualities we can see in him is his perseverance and honesty, the way that I am saying here is nothing to do with personal opinion but the way of saying here is depends on the overall perspective of what people are thinking, other than that I don't know him personally.

Follow up questions

What qualities do you think are essential for a successful businessperson?

I believe essential qualities include perseverance, adaptability, strong leadership skills, and integrity. A successful businessperson must be able to navigate challenges, inspire their team, and maintain ethical standards while pursuing their goals.

How do you think media influences public perception of businesspeople?

Media plays a significant role in shaping public perception by highlighting achievements and controversies. Positive coverage can enhance a businessperson's reputation, while negative news can lead to public scrutiny. It's important for business leaders to manage their public image carefully.

What impact do successful businesspeople have on society?

Successful businesspeople can have a profound impact on society by creating jobs, driving innovation, and contributing to economic growth. They often engage in philanthropy, supporting social causes and community development, which can lead to positive changes in society.

Band 6-7

00:00

A successful business person whom I know is my dad, obviously. Like I grew up watching him. He started his business idea since I was 10 years old. He started with a small shop, like featuring all the little products required for hotels. Now due to his hard work and determination, he has three shops in a hometown, which mainly supplies all the products required to hotels. At an early age, he used to generate some 20-30K when I was 10 years old. And currently he is generating around a lakh per month. That shows his true determination at his work. I am really inspired from him. At times when I visit my hometown, I just go to my dad's shop to see how the business runs. I often get tips from him on how to run a successful business. He will be giving some ideas on how to start a new startup idea, in case if I am going to do in the future. And I do believe my dad is always there to back me up when I am about to start a new venture.

Follow up questions

What qualities do you think make your dad a successful businessperson?

I believe my dad's success comes from his hard work, determination, and ability to adapt to market changes. He is also very customer-focused, always ensuring that he meets the needs of his clients. His leadership skills and willingness to mentor others have also contributed to his success.

How has your dad's business impacted your view on entrepreneurship?

Watching my dad build his business has greatly influenced my perspective on entrepreneurship. It has shown me that with dedication and the right mindset, one can achieve their goals. I have learned the importance of resilience and innovation in overcoming challenges in business.

What advice has your dad given you about starting your own business?

My dad often advises me to start small and focus on understanding the market. He emphasizes the importance of building relationships with customers and being adaptable. He also encourages me to learn from failures and to always keep improving my skills and knowledge.

Band 6-7

00:00

If I have to talk about one of the most successful business person I know, I would always say Sir Ratan Naval Tata. He is no more in this world today but he has always left that legacy behind. I would not say he is a businessman but rather an industrialist and he was the chief executive officer and the chairperson of the entire Tata Group and all the substitutes of Tata Groups. He is one of the most prominent business figures. He was an excellent philanthropist who has worked day and night for the betterment of this entire nation. Today Tata Group is one of the most emerging and the biggest emeritus in the country where each and everything from the automobiles to home appliances, to cars, to schools, to hospitals, in each and every sector the Tata industry has expanded. He chose this career because he wanted to work for the betterment of his people. He wanted to do something so that his entire country can progress and he wanted to create a new scenario, new environment for his countrymen and his people. That is why although he successfully completed his education from abroad, he chose to come back to his country and he chose a career here and that is how the Tata Group was founded and today Tata Group is one of the most reputed groups in our country. Right from each and everything, right from the smallest thing to one of the biggest manufacturers, Tata has its hand and not only that but Tata has given employment to n number of people. So I would always be taking inspiration from him. He has left a big legacy behind and I am truly happy.

Follow up questions

What qualities do you think make a businessperson successful?

I believe successful businesspeople possess qualities like vision, resilience, and strong leadership skills. They must be able to adapt to changing markets and inspire their teams. Additionally, a commitment to ethical practices and social responsibility, like Sir Ratan Tata demonstrated, is crucial.

How do you think Sir Ratan Tata influenced young entrepreneurs?

Sir Ratan Tata's legacy inspires young entrepreneurs by showcasing the importance of innovation and social responsibility. His approach to business emphasized not just profit, but also the welfare of society. Young entrepreneurs can learn from his commitment to ethical practices and community development.

What lessons can we learn from Sir Ratan Tata's career?

We can learn the importance of giving back to society, as Sir Ratan Tata did through philanthropy. His dedication to his country and his willingness to return after studying abroad highlight the value of commitment to one's roots. His career teaches us that success is not just about wealth, but also about impact.

Show all 11 answers

Cue 1:Who this person is?

Begin by introducing the businessperson with their name and a brief background.
Mention any notable achievements or characteristics that make them stand out.

Example

The businessperson I admire is Mr. Rajesh Kumar, the founder of a successful tech startup in Bangalore. He is known for his innovative approach and has received several awards for his contributions to the industry.

Cue 2:How you knew him/her?

Describe how you met or learned about this person, whether personally or through media.
Share any specific experiences or interactions that left an impression on you.

Example

I first learned about Mr. Kumar during a seminar on entrepreneurship at my college. I was inspired by his speech about overcoming challenges in the tech industry, and later, I had the opportunity to meet him during a networking event.

Cue 3:What business he/she does?

Explain the nature of the business and its significance in the market.
Highlight any unique aspects of the business that contribute to its success.

Example

Mr. Kumar's company specializes in developing software solutions for small businesses. What sets his business apart is its focus on affordability and user-friendly interfaces, making technology accessible to everyone.

Cue 4:And explain why he/she is successful.

Discuss the qualities and skills that have contributed to their success.
Mention any challenges they faced and how they overcame them.

Example

Mr. Kumar is successful due to his relentless work ethic and ability to adapt to changing market trends. He faced many obstacles in the early stages, including funding issues, but his perseverance and innovative thinking helped him secure investors and grow the business.

Conclusion

Summarize the key points about the businessperson's impact on you.
Reflect on what you learned from their journey and how it inspires you.

Example

In conclusion, Mr. Rajesh Kumar's journey as a successful businessperson has greatly inspired me. His dedication and innovative spirit motivate me to pursue my own entrepreneurial dreams with confidence.

Following this structure will ensure you cover all the essential points while providing a clear and engaging response to the cue card topic.

Tips to answer this Cue Card

1: Avoid Vague Descriptions

Using vague language can make your answer unclear. Candidates often fail to provide specific details about the businessperson, which can weaken their response.

Tip

Include specific examples and anecdotes about the person to make your answer more engaging and informative.

2: Neglecting Personal Connection

Not explaining how you know the businessperson can make your response feel disconnected. This personal touch is important for a compelling narrative.

Tip

Briefly share your relationship with the person, such as how you met or worked together, to add depth to your answer.

Overlooking Success Factors

Failing to explain why the businessperson is successful can leave your answer incomplete. Candidates often skip this crucial part, missing the opportunity to impress the examiner.

Tip

Identify key traits or achievements that contribute to their success, such as innovation, leadership, or resilience, and elaborate on them.