I’d like to tell you about my cousin, Elena, who is someone I’ve always admired for her dedication. I’ve known her since we were children, as we grew up just a few houses away from each other in a quiet suburb of Bristol. We spent countless weekends playing in her parents’ backyard, so I’ve had a front-row seat to her professional journey. Her family runs an independent wholesale bakery that has been a local staple for over forty years, specialising in artisanal sourdough and traditional pastries. When Elena finished her university degree, she didn't look for a corporate role; instead, she jumped straight into the family fold. I think she enjoys working there primarily because of the profound sense of legacy and autonomy it provides. She isn't just an employee following orders; she is deeply involved in modernising their brand identity and streamlining their distribution, which gives her a real sense of ownership. Moreover, she thrives on the tight-knit atmosphere. There is a certain warmth in working alongside relatives who share the same work ethic and values, which is something you rarely find in a soulless office environment. She told me once that the smell of fresh bread every morning is a far better reward than any performance bonus. Ultimately, she loves the autonomy to experiment with new recipes while knowing she is preserving her family’s heritage for future generations. It is refreshing to see someone find genuine purpose in a path that is both rooted in history and evolving with her own creative input.
The cue card
Describe a person who enjoys working for a family business
You should say:
- →Who this person is
- →How you know them
- →What the family business is
- →And explain why they enjoy working for it
One minute to prepare, then speak for one to two minutes.
A person
How to answer this cue card: a one-minute plan
- 1
Choose a real person you know to make the narrative flow more naturally.
- 2
Outline the business clearly so the examiner understands the context of their daily work.
- 3
Focus on one or two strong emotional reasons for their enjoyment to ensure depth.
Model answer
Band 8 sample answer
Say it out loud and get a band
Record this card with the AI examiner: one minute of prep, two minutes to speak, then a band for fluency, vocabulary, grammar and pronunciation with the words that cost you.
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Useful vocabulary for this cue card
wholesale
selling goods in large quantities to other businesses
artisanal
made in a traditional way by skilled craftspeople
family fold
the group or business belonging to one's family
legacy
something handed down from the past or predecessors
autonomy
the freedom to act and make independent decisions
streamlining
making a process simpler, more efficient, and effective
tight-knit
a group of people with very close relationships
soulless
lacking human feeling, character, or individual personality
5 questions
Part 3 follow-up questions
- 1What role does society play in shaping our attitudes towards this?
- 2Has the way people view this changed over the years?
- 3How do you think it will develop in the future?
- 4What are the benefits and drawbacks?
- 5Do you think the government should be involved in regulating this area?
Answer each in three to five sentences: position, reason, example, limit. See how to answer IELTS Speaking Part 3.
Frequently asked questions
How should I start the cue card "Describe a person who enjoys working for a family business"?+
Choose a real person you know to make the narrative flow more naturally.
How long should I speak on an IELTS cue card?+
You get one minute to prepare, then speak for the full two minutes, about 220 to 280 words at a natural pace. The examiner will stop you at two minutes, which is a good sign, not a problem.
How is the cue card scored?+
Part 2 is not scored on its own. Your whole Speaking test gets one band from four criteria: fluency and coherence, vocabulary, grammar and pronunciation. The cue card is where the examiner hears whether you can keep going for two minutes.
Can I use this sample answer in the exam?+
Use its structure and vocabulary, not its sentences. Examiners recognise memorised answers and mark fluency down; a shorter answer from your own memory scores higher than a recited one.
Keep practising
More cue cards: a person
- Describe a child who loves drawing/painting
- Describe a confident public speaker you know
- Describe a family member you admire
- Describe a famous business person that you know about
- Describe a film/movie actor from your country who is very popular
- Describe a friend from your childhood
- All 705 IELTS cue cards 2026
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- IELTS pronunciation practice
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