Cambridge IELTS Book 10 Speaking Test 2 Part 3 Discussion Questions
This part of the IELTS Speaking test includes speaking topics about:- Local Business
- People and Business
Part 3 Topics
Local Business
What types of local businesses are there in your neighborhood? Are there any restaurants, shops, or dentists for example?
Yes, there's at least one of each. Within a block from where I live there are several restaurants and cafes.There's also a gym, a beauty salon, a veterinary clinic, a music school, an auto repair shop, and a hardware store.
Also, there's a school, a meat market, small hotel, and a couple of convenience stores.
There are more too, but I can't remember them all at the moment.
Do you think local businesses are important for a neighborhood? In what way?
Yes, they're very important. Some people can't drive to the large supermarkets or malls to buy stuff they need.Small local stores and businesses are vital to serve local communities. They are more personal and help contribute to the local economy. Many of them have a long history serving generations of families who live nearby.
The trend might be changing in some places, as more and more big-box stores arrive. But small neighborhood stores and businesses offer a valuable service to the local community.
How do large shopping malls and commercial centers affect small local businesses? Why do you think that is?
They are a threat. They have a lot of financial backing behind them and usually follow a national marketing strategy.The big advantage they offer is the convenience of shopping for many different things in one place. In the big malls, you find a movie theater, large supermarkets and many smaller stores and boutiques.
In many cases they offer similar products that are cheaper than many small businesses can sell.
There is also the safety and comfort factor. You don't need to walk around on the streets going to different stores. And if the weather is bad, all the stores are in the same place under one roof, so that's a big benefit.
People and Business
Why do some people want to start their own business?
I guess because they have an incredible idea for something that doesn't exist at the moment. Or maybe because they're passionate about something.Of course, there are people who prefer to work for themselves rather than be an employee in a company. Either because they prefer being independent or because they have special skills or expertise and maybe they can earn more if they start their own business.
It's a dream for many people, but it's also a lot of hard work. I think you need to have strong motivation to start our own business, and grow it to be successful.
You know the old saying: if you love what you do, it will never seem like work. there are man people who start their business to express themselves. They might be an artist, creative, or baker. But they want to do their own thing, it's their passion.
Are there any disadvantages to running a business? Which is the most serious?
I think there are a few possible disadvantages. And I think the most serious is the risk involved. There is less security in starting a business compared to receiving a salary check each month.There is no guarantee that your business will be successful. You might have trouble finding enough clients or customers. You might run out of money before the business really has a chance to grow and thrive.
You need to invest quite a lot of money to start many types of business and if it isn't successful, you can lose everything you invested.
So financial security is probably the biggest worry for most first-time entrepreneurs.
What are the most important qualities that a good business person needs? Why is that?
They need to be motivated, and resilient. It can be difficult starting a business and many people give up when things get tough.To be successful you need to be able to bounce back from problems and continue moving forward to achieve your goals.
It also pays to be creative, insightful and curious. You need to constantly come up with creative ways to promote your business.
And if you are in a competitive industry or commercial sector you need to be analytical to gain insight into consumer behavior and how you can get a competitive advantage over other businesses.
Being curious about what people think about your product or service can help improve what you offer and make your brand even more popular.
There are many qualities you need, but maybe not all of them all the time. I mean that maybe at the beginning when you launch your business you need more enthusiasm and energy than anything else.
But before you get to that stage you need to be cautious, analytical and meticulous in forming your business plan, doing market research, and other preparatory tasks.
You need different qualities at different points in the life of your business.