IELTS Speaking Part 2

Describe a person who enjoys working for a family business: IELTS cue card with sample answer

An IELTS cue card for Speaking Part 2 with a Band 8 sample answer, the one-minute plan behind it, the vocabulary that lifts it and the Part 3 follow-up questions the examiner can ask next.
  • 255 words
  • A person
  • 1 minute to prepare
  • 2 minutes to speak

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. 1

    Choose a real person you know to make the narrative flow more naturally.

  2. 2

    Outline the business clearly so the examiner understands the context of their daily work.

  3. 3

    Focus on one or two strong emotional reasons for their enjoyment to ensure depth.

Model answer

Band 8 sample answer

Band 8255 words, about two minutes at a natural pace. Details are invented; use your own.

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.

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8 words

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

  1. 1What role does society play in shaping our attitudes towards this?
  2. 2Has the way people view this changed over the years?
  3. 3How do you think it will develop in the future?
  4. 4What are the benefits and drawbacks?
  5. 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

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