Cue Cards Samples with band 8 answers
A small business you would like to start in the future - Cue Card # 531
- Details
- Last Updated: Tuesday, 20 May 2025 14:36
- Written by IELTS Mentor
- Hits: 198416
IELTS Speaking Part 2: IELTS Cue Card/ Candidate Task Card.
[The topic for your talk will be written on a card which the examiner will hand over to you. Read it carefully and then make some brief notes.]
Describe a small business you would like to start in the future.
You should say:
- what business it would be
- when you want to start it
- why you have not started it yet
and explain why you would like to start this small business.
[Instruction: You will have to talk about the topic for one to two minutes. You have one minute to think about what you're going to say. You can make some notes to help you if you wish.]
Model Answer 1:
Although nobody in my family has ever been involved in starting or running any kind of business, I have held a secret wish in my heart since my early high school years that one day I would start a small business to try my luck with entrepreneurship.
Of course, I wasn’t too sure about what kind of business I would start, mainly because I thought that I would need a substantial amount of money to start a business. Besides, I also needed some time to understand the “rules and tricks” of business before I could take some calculated risks in this domain.
So, I decided to wait until I actually start a job and have a first-hand experience in the real business world. By the way, later on, I realised that one didn’t really need so much money to start a small business, provided that he or she had a well-crafted plan to run and grow the business.
But, then just before a year, after playing with a lot of small business ideas with the scope of limited investment, I decided that I would start a fruit juice selling business by using possibly the freshest fruits. And all I needed for that was a suitable place to set up my business as well as some good and reliable sources of fresh fruits, so that I didn’t really have to do juggling from one fruit seller to another. But, unfortunately, I am yet to find a suitable spot to start my fruit selling shop. On top of that, lately, I have also been very busy with my full-time job, which leaves me very little time to plan for the setup of my small business.
But, anyway, I would definitely like to start my business because the longer I wait, the more difficult it will probably become for me to start my business. After all, the cost of starting a business keeps only rising these days, and I just don’t have the luxury to spend extra money or wait for eternity. Moreover, I have an entrepreneurial spirit that I want to nurture by starting this small business.
Model Answer 2:
Introduction:
Thank you so much for giving me this great opportunity to talk about a small business I wish to run. Well, I’d like to share with you my aspiration to start a small business in the future.
What business it would be:
The business I would like to start is an online clothing store. This store would focus on offering stylish, high-quality, and affordable clothing for both men and women. My goal is to provide a variety of options, from casual wear to formal attire, ensuring that my store caters to a wide range of tastes and preferences.
When you want to start it:
Ideally, I want to start this business within the next two years. I am currently in the process of gaining more experience in the e-commerce and fashion industries, which will be crucial for the success of the store. I believe that with proper planning and research, I will be ready to launch the online store at that time.
Why you have not started it yet:
The reason I haven’t started this business yet is mainly due to a lack of experience and the financial investment required. Starting an online clothing store involves not only sourcing products, creating a website, and managing logistics but also establishing a strong brand presence in a highly competitive market. While I have the passion and vision for the business, I want to ensure that I am fully prepared, both financially and strategically, before taking the leap. At this stage, I’m still gathering the resources and expertise I need to make the venture successful.
And explain why you would like to start this small business:
I would love to start this small business for several reasons. First, I have a deep passion for fashion, and the idea of running a business that allows me to share my love for clothing and style with others excites me. Second, I believe that the fashion industry is evolving rapidly, with a growing demand for online shopping, especially after the recent global events. Additionally, I am drawn to the idea of being my own boss and building a brand that reflects my values, including sustainability and inclusivity.
Sample Answer 3:
I am fortunate to have this candidate task card topic as it is something I would be able to talk about from my heart. I am 32 and the father of a 4-year-old daughter. Both my wife and I are employed, and I have been planning for a while to quit my daytime job and start a small business. I personally thank you for letting me talk about it.
The small business that I have in mind is establishing a cyber cafe or internet cafe in our area. The cyber cafe I have planned for would be an exclusive one and primarily target the foreign tourists who visit our area. Though there are already three cyber cafes in our locality, most tourists do not feel comfortable there as they do not have a great environment and high-speed internet connections. My cyber cafe will have a large area for browsing the internet, a small cafeteria, a bookselling point and a very classy environment. If I can make my internet cafe popular, I'll plan to expand it to other tourist spots in my city.
Frankly speaking, my wife and I want to start it right now! However, from a practical point of view, it would take us another year to start it. The budget we would need to manage to launch this cybercafe is yet to be managed, and we want to start it from the savings we have without taking a loan from a bank or family members. Moreover, we would need to resign from our current jobs and then arrange a suitable location and a great interior designer for our cafe. We will also need to hire 7-8 staff members to run this business. These all seem time-consuming to me, and up until last January, we were not absolutely convinced that the time had come for us to start something of our own. Probably this is the main reason we have not started it yet.
Why do we want to start this internet cafe? Well, we want to quit our full-time job and enjoy the freedom of running a business. Though we get a steady amount of money per month from our jobs, we have very little time to spend together, take vacations and enjoy things we feel passionate about. Therefore, we often feel frustrated and stressed out. 'Freedom' - I guess is the reason I would like to start this business. I also want to stay close to my family and work as a freelance journalist for a local daily newspaper. I have got only one life, and I want to enjoy it and explore more possibilities.
Idea generation for this Candidate task card/ Cue card topic:
This topic asks you to describe a small business you would like to start in the future. To make your answer great, be sure to explain what kind of business it is, when you plan to start it, why it hasn't started yet, and the reasons behind your desire to start it. Here are a few ideas to help you develop your own response:
1. Online clothing store:
I would like to start an online clothing store that specialises in sustainable and eco-friendly fashion. I want to launch it in the next two years after gaining experience and doing market research. I haven’t started it yet because I need more capital and time to properly research suppliers and build a website. I would like to start this business because I am passionate about fashion and sustainability, and I believe there is a growing demand for eco-conscious clothing.
2. Freelance digital marketing agency:
One business I would love to start is a digital marketing agency offering services such as social media management, SEO, and content creation. I aim to start it in the next year after gaining more experience and building a solid client base. I haven't started it yet because I still need to build a portfolio and network with potential clients. I would like to start this business because digital marketing is a growing field, and I enjoy working with businesses to help them grow their online presence.
3. Mobile coffee cart:
One small business I’d like to start is a mobile coffee cart that serves high-quality, organic coffee to busy commuters. I hope to start it in the next year or so, after securing the right permits and finding a good location. I haven’t started it yet because I need to save enough money to buy the equipment and set up the business. I would like to start this business because I enjoy coffee culture, and I believe people will appreciate a convenient, eco-friendly coffee option on the go.
4. Custom home decor business:
I would like to start a custom home decor business that creates personalised furniture and interior decorations. I plan to launch this business within the next two years after finalising the designs and sourcing high-quality materials. I haven’t started it yet because I need more time to develop my product range and build an online presence. I would like to start this business because I love interior design and enjoy helping people create unique, personalised living spaces.
5. Event planning services:
I’ve always been passionate about organising events, so I would like to start an event planning business that specialises in weddings, corporate events, and private parties. I hope to start the business within the next year after completing my event management certification. I haven’t started it yet because I need more practical experience and a network of reliable vendors. I would like to start this business because I love the creativity involved in planning events, and I enjoy making clients’ visions come to life.
6. Organic skincare brand:
I would love to start an organic skincare business that focuses on natural and cruelty-free products. I hope to launch it within the next two years after researching ingredients and building a customer base. I haven’t started yet because I need to source ingredients, create formulations, and design packaging. I would like to start this business because I’m passionate about skincare, and I believe people are becoming more conscious about the products they use on their skin.
7. Photography business:
Starting a photography business is something I’d really like to do, specialising in portrait, event, and lifestyle photography. I hope to start it within the next year after refining my skills and investing in better equipment. I haven’t started it yet because I need more experience and a larger client base. I would like to start this business because photography is a hobby I’m passionate about, and I’d love to turn it into a full-time career.
8. Pet grooming service:
I would like to open a pet grooming service for dogs and cats. I plan to start this business within the next year or two, once I have completed professional grooming training and acquired the necessary tools. I haven’t started it yet because I need to raise funds and secure a suitable location. I would like to start this business because I love animals, and there is a growing demand for pet grooming services in my area.
9. Healthy meal delivery service:
Starting a healthy meal delivery service is something I’d like to do, focusing on providing nutritious, balanced meals to busy individuals and families. I plan to launch it within the next year after developing a menu and building a solid delivery system. I haven’t started it yet because I need to research the best suppliers and develop an efficient operation. I would like to start this business because there’s a growing demand for healthy eating options, and I want to help people maintain a healthy lifestyle.
10. Eco-friendly cleaning service:
I would like to start an eco-friendly cleaning service that uses non-toxic, environmentally friendly cleaning products. I aim to start it in the next two years after gaining experience and acquiring the necessary equipment. I haven’t started it yet because I still need to gather capital and research the best eco-friendly products. I would like to start this business because I am passionate about sustainability, and I believe there is an increasing demand for green cleaning services.
Vocabulary for this Candidate task card/ Cue card topic:
When describing a small business you aspire to start, using entrepreneurial vocabulary can effectively convey your vision, motivations, and future plans. Thoughtful word choices will help you articulate the nature of your venture and your reasons for pursuing it, making your response enthusiastic and well-considered. Here are some relevant words and phrases:
Entrepreneurial: – Characterised by risk-taking and initiative in order to make a profit.
Example: I have an entrepreneurial spirit and have always wanted to run my own venture.
Lucrative: – Producing a great deal of profit.
Example: I believe this niche market could be quite lucrative in the long run.
Feasibility: – The state of being easily or conveniently done.
Example: I'm still in the initial stages of assessing the business's feasibility.
Address a gap in the market: – To provide a product or service that is not currently available or adequately offered.
Example: My idea aims to address a gap in the local market for sustainable products.
Realize a long-term ambition: – Achieve a goal that one has had for a significant amount of time.
Example: Starting this business would allow me to realize a long-term ambition.
Generate employment: – To create jobs for people.
Example: I also hope that my business can eventually generate employment opportunities in the community.
Capital investment: – Money invested in a business with the expectation of future financial gain.
Example: Securing the initial capital investment is one of the main hurdles I'm facing.
Navigate regulatory hurdles: – Deal with and overcome official rules and procedures that can be obstacles.
Example: Understanding and navigating the regulatory hurdles is a key step before launching.
A passion-driven project: – An undertaking fueled by strong enthusiasm and interest.
Example: This business is more than just a way to earn a living; it's a passion-driven project.
Scalable business model: – A framework for how a business creates, delivers, and captures value that can be expanded without significant increases in cost.
Example: I'm developing a scalable business model that can adapt to growth.
Make a meaningful contribution: – To have a significant and positive impact.
Example: I believe this business can make a meaningful contribution to the local economy.
Achieve financial independence: – To have enough money to live without having to work.
Example: Ultimately, I hope this venture will help me achieve financial independence.
Harness my expertise: – To effectively use my skills and knowledge.
Example: This business would allow me to harness my expertise in a creative and impactful way.
A fulfilling endeavour: – An activity that provides a sense of satisfaction and purpose.
Example: I envision it being a challenging yet ultimately fulfilling endeavour.
If you prepare for the topic "Describe a small business you would like to start in the future", you should be able to talk about the following topics as well:
1) Describe someone you know who has started a business.
2) Describe a small business in your area that is successful.
3) Describe something you want to do in the future.
4) Describe a family business you know about.
5) Describe something you plan to do but have not done yet.
Report