Business IELTS Speaking Part 2

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Business IELTS Speaking test Part 2 - Woman working in a Business

Business IELTS Speaking Part 2

IELTS Speaking Exam Cue Card: Describe a Family Business

Describe a family business you know.

You should say:

  • What the business is
  • Who owns it and runs it
  • How you know about this business

And explain why you think this business is successful.

High-Scoring Sample Answer (Band 8+)

Okay, I'd like to talk about a beloved family-run phở restaurant in my neighbourhood that my family and I have been frequenting for years. It's a quintessential example of a successful Vietnamese family small business.

What the business is? It's a traditional phở restaurant, specialising in the iconic Vietnamese noodle soup. But they are particularly famous for their phở bò, the beef version, which has a secret recipe for the broth that has been passed down through generations.

As for who owns it and runs it, the business was originally established by the elderly couple, Mr. and Mrs. Hùng, about thirty years ago. Now, while they still oversee operations, the day-to-day management has been taken over by their son and daughter-in-law. You can see the whole family involved; the son is often at the cashier, the daughter-in-law manages the staff and customer service, and their children, even the younger ones, help with simple tasks like setting tables or arranging condiments during busy hours. It's a true collective effort.

I've known about this business for as long as I can remember because it's just a stone's throw from my house. It's been our go-to place for a comforting and delicious breakfast on weekends, or for a quick and satisfying lunch. We've become so familiar with the family that we often exchange greetings and small talk, which adds a personal touch to the dining experience.

Now, regarding why I believe this business is so successful, I'd attribute it to a few key factors. Primarily, it's the uncompromising quality and consistency of the home cooked food. The broth is simmered for hours overnight, resulting in a deeply aromatic and clear flavour that you can't find in chain restaurants. They source their beef and herbs fresh from the market every single day. Secondly, the warm, familial atmosphere is a significant draw. Customers aren't just patrons; they are treated like guests in their home. This fosters incredible customer loyalty. Finally, their ability to seamlessly blend tradition with modest innovation plays a part. They've kept their core menu classic, but they've also started using social media for promotion and offer efficient takeaway services to adapt to modern demands. So, it's a perfect combination of heritage, hard work, and heart that has cemented their success.

Why This Answer Scores Highly (Band 8+)

  • Fluency and Coherence: The answer follows the cue card prompts smoothly with natural linking words and logical structure.
  • Lexical Resource: Uses precise, topic-specific vocabulary instead of simple words (e.g., "quintessential example," "uncompromising quality," "fosters customer loyalty").
  • Grammatical Range and Accuracy: Employs complex sentence structures, relative clauses, and varied tenses correctly.
  • Pronunciation: The vocabulary is structured for clear pronunciation with natural intonation patterns.
  • Relevance to Context: Choosing a phở restaurant is authentic for Vietnam, and the multi-generational story reflects common family business structures.

Describe a Family Business

A commercial enterprise in which management and ownership are passed down within a family. The vast majority of businesses worldwide are family-owned and operated.

They come in all shapes and sizes, from small, mom-and-pop shops to large multinational corporations.

There is no single blueprint for how a family business should be run, but there are some commonalities. Most have a patriarch or matriarch at the helm, with their children and grandchildren playing key roles in management and operations.

The business may be formally structured as a partnership or sole proprietorship, with the family sharing ownership and profits.

While businesses run by families offer many benefits, such as loyalty, commitment, and continuity, they can also be fraught with conflict. The close personal relationships between family can make it difficult to separate business from personal matters. And as the business grows and evolves, generational differences can create tension and disagreements about the best way forward.

Despite the challenges, family-run businesses are a vital part of the global economy. In the United States, they account for more than 65 percent of all businesses and employ nearly 60 percent of the workforce.

If you're thinking of starting a business with family, there are a few things to keep in mind.

  • You must have a clear vision for the business.
  • What are your goals and objectives?
  • Who will be responsible for what?
  • What are the roles of each family member?

You should also have a future plan to deal with succession.

  • What will happen to the business when you retire or if something happens to you?
  • Who will take over and how will they be trained?

Why you should never go into business with family members

  • It can be challenging to maintain a professional relationship with family.
  • Family may struggle to put their personal feelings aside and make business decisions objectively.
  • Jealousy and competition can often get in the way of working harmoniously together.

These are some of the top reasons it's generally not a good idea to go into business with family. There are exceptions, but going into business with family can lead to all sorts of problems and conflicts, so best to avoid such a situation.

Is there an upside to going into business with family members?

There can be some benefits.

For example, you may already have a good relationship and trust established, which can make working together easier.

You may also be able to rely on family for help and support in times of need.

However, it's important to weigh the pros and cons carefully before making any decisions, as there can also be some significant drawbacks to consider. For instance, family businesses can often be more prone to conflict and disagreements, which can lead to tension and stress for everyone involved.

There's also the potential for favoritism and nepotism to come into play, which can create an unfair workplace environment. Ultimately, it's important to decide what's best for you and your business and to make sure that everyone involved is on board with the decision.

Family businesses can offer several advantages, such as a close relationship between family and trust established, which can make working together easier. You may also be able to rely on family for support, both emotionally and practically. However, there are also some potential disadvantages.

When family work together, there is the potential for personal issues to affect work dynamics. There may also be difficulty setting boundaries between work and home life, which can lead to burnout. Additionally, the family situation can be complex due to differing expectations and roles within the company. It is important to carefully consider the pros and cons before making any decisions.

FAQ - Business IELTS Speaking Part 2

Why do some children try to avoid working in the family business?

I have a couple of friends whose families both have their own businesses. Neither of them wants to go and work with their family in the business and the reason is basically the same.

Both my friends want to develop their own career in different fields and be independent from their family when it comes to work.

They also see better benefits and prospects in the long run going to work at a larger company and they also want to avoid any family squabbles which often arise in family-run businesses.

What are the top 3 reasons young people do not want to work in their family businesses?

There are a few reasons why the younger generation might not want to work with others in the family. Here are three of the most common reasons:

  • The young generation may want to be their own boss or develop careers in big companies in the wider business world. Many believe they won't make so much money following in their parents' footsteps.
  • The family business may be a lot of hard work with little reward, and the young generation would prefer to work for themselves and reap all the benefits.
  • The family dynamics within the business may be problematic, and the young generation would rather avoid any potential conflict or tension.


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