Describe a Businessman You Admire – IELTS Speaking Cue Card Samples

Aarushi Jain

Updated on Feb 24, 2023 2:55 PM IST

Describe a Businessman you Admire: A common complaint about IELTS Speaking cue cards is that these are some of the most challenging questions enclosed with time constraints. Well, this may be partially true but not completely. If approached with enough patience, practice and preparation, one can easily score well in it. How? By focusing only on a single ideology and moulding it with correct grammatical patterns and simultaneously hammering it with an impressive vocabulary. Apart from this, IELTS Speaking cue cards have some rules you need to follow in order to provide an appropriate answer.

Read on to know how to answer the IELTS Speaking cue card topics and tips to prepare via these samples.

What Notes Should I Prepare for the IELTS Speaking Cue Card?

This is a crucial question since knowing how to write an effective answer in only one minute will help you get a high band score. Many IELTS instructors just encourage their students to write as many sentences as they can in that allotted minute, but this is not very useful and can actually lead to a lot of stress. This is because you may then start worrying that you have not written sufficiently or that what you have written is not effective enough to impress the examiner. All you need to understand is that you do not need to write a lot; what matters is the calibre, not the word count.

Now, let us discuss the key points on this page:

• Understanding what exactly is the IELTS Speaking Cue Card

• How should you prepare notes for IELTS Speaking Cue Card

• How to write an answer using minimum phrases/words

Understanding the IELTS Speaking Cue Card?

As your initial step to understanding what exactly is the IELTS Speaking cue card, and how to answer ‘describe a businessman you admire’ speaking cue card, you should analyse its structure. To answer it in the easiest way possible, divide it into three parts:

Part 1: In the first part, you should talk about the person you admire.

Part 2: In the second part, you should answer the following three questions:

• Who this person is

• For how long you have known/admired this person

• Which admiring qualities does this person have

Part 3: In the third part, you should answer the reason (why or how) you admire this person.

Let us understand all three parts one by one:

Part 1: The Theme

Essentially, this refers to the topic of your speech i.e., describe a businessman you admire. It is advisable that you should talk about an elderly person you really admire. Candidates should keep in mind that this section is not a test of analytical skills or general knowledge. It is about someone whom you admire the most or how they personally connect with their ideologies.

Part 2: Narrating the Theme

As discussed, this part essentially focuses on three fundamental questions. The queries in this section almost usually start with ‘when’, ‘what’, ‘where’, and ‘who’ and you must respond with details. Many applicants commit the mistake of merely responding to these three questions, at which point they run out of things to say after around 30 seconds. It is imperative that you give these queries more context so that, for instance, you can discuss how you met this person or how you know about them.

Part 3: Answering the ‘Why’ or ‘How’ Question

This is usually the most complex and challenging section confronted by the IELTS test takers. The reason for this is that candidates need to explain (why/how), and expressing always seems more difficult than describing. In this section, you must provide a satisfactory answer to the question on describe a businessman you admire.

How Should You Prepare Notes for IELTS Speaking Cue Card?

To prepare notes for the IELTS Speaking cue card topic, ‘describe a businessman you admire’, you have to do what other IELTS test takers are not doing i.e., ‘Avoid writing your answers word by word’. Unfortunately, the urge to write more words leads to a lower band score. How? When test takers tend to write supplemental words in a limited amount of time, it naturally brings up inappropriateness.

What Should be Done or How Should You Start Writing?

Only make the necessary notes to achieve a good IELTS band score. Applicants often write the words ‘pleasant’ or ‘funny’; this is acceptable if you are hoping for an IELTS score of 5.0 bands, but if you want to perform better, you must use terms that will impress the IELTS examiner.

As you only have one minute, you can only practically write five or six words or phrases that are fruitful. Now, you might probably be thinking that it is not enough, but ultimately how you use the words is what counts.

For the IELTS Speaking cue card topic, ‘describe a businessman you admire’, you must prepare notes by using the following words:

• Entrepreneurial skill

• Well-respected

• A born leader

• A positive role model

• Determined

• Charismatic

Start Practising in Advance Using Detailed Notes

Instead of merely putting down words, you should attempt to come up with more elaborate sentences or concepts. For instance, when asked how long you have known this person, the instinct is to respond, ‘I know her/him for the last six years’, but unfortunately, this would not impress the IELTS examiner.

IELTS bands of 6.5 or above require considerably lengthier, more extensive, and sophisticated language, so something like ‘I am not completely sure when we met, it could have been approximately seven years ago… yes, that is right, it was when we were both playing cricket…’ is much more appropriate. From this, you might take down the following notes:

• I am not completely sure……

• it could have been……

• …… yes, that is right!

• we were both playing cricket…

These expressions are all considerably more complicated than ‘pleasant’ or ‘funny’, and they will all astound the IELTS examiner. The more vocabulary for IELTS you can use to convey, just as you would in your mother tongue, the more you will dazzle the IELTS examiner. This is because the IELTS Speaking cue card is not a test of knowledge, it is a test of information exchange or communication.

How to Write an Answer Using Minimum Phrases/Words?

The ‘how’ or ‘why’ question is the concluding chapter of the IELTS Speaking cue card, and it is the section where you should have the most to say. It is, nevertheless, the portion that is the trickiest. Here you should come up with a few terms and adjectives that you can use in this section, such as ‘inspiring’, ‘business model’, and ‘charismatic’. Now, a question might be wandering in your mind – what should I do with these five or six words or phrases that I have written down? The answer is – you expand them on your own.

As discussed, for the ‘describe a businessman you admire’ IELTS Speaking cue card topic, you have to note how the words/phrases have been mentioned above:

• Talk about a person you admire

• Which admiring qualities does this person have

• Why do you admire this person

Now, as we promised you at the beginning of this article, we will be discussing two model samples below to help you get the discussed concept straight.

Describe A Businessman You Admire – Sample Answer 1

The following is the first sample answer of the IELTS Speaking cue card topic – ‘describe a businessman you admire’:

Who is this Person?

Today, I would want to tell you about Ratan Tata, one of India’s most renowned and esteemed businessmen. He is the leader of the largest group of India’s Tata Sons, which includes more than 111 businesses that generate over 67 billion dollars in revenue per year.

For How Long do you Know this Person?

He is a well-known figure in India, and I first learned of him through his work on behalf of the 26/11 victims.

How did this Person Become Successful or Which Admiring Qualities does this Person Have?

He was born in 1937 into a wealthy family. He is Jamshedji Tata’s great-grandson. Ratan Tata came from a dysfunctional family and was raised by his grandmother Lady Navajbai, which made for a terrible upbringing for him.

He joined the Tata Group after earning his degree from Cornell University in the US. Initially, he was employed as a blue-collar worker who was mostly in charge of moving stones and maintaining the furnace. However, he quickly established his talent and outstanding management and leadership skills, which prepared the road for him to be appointed chairman of Tata Industries.

Tata Industries achieved the pinnacle of its success under his direction. The Tata Group’s earnings increased 50 times and its revenue by 40 times while he was in charge.

He made several courageous choices along the way, but they all showed that he was the appropriate match to succeed his father as the group’s heir, and it was thanks to his efforts that the Tata group transitioned from an India-focused organisation to a multinational one.

Additionally, he is a kind and modest man. To combat the rising cost of cars, he introduced TATA Nano. Following extensive research, the Tata Group introduced the Tata Nano, an affordable vehicle for the average Indian consumer.

In the 26/11 attacks, the Taj hotel’s residents were impacted greatly. Ratan Tata made the decision to make up for any damages suffered by anyone who resided or worked at the Taj hotel. This showcased his generous side.

Additionally, he thought about the nearby merchants and peddlers who had been harmed by the assault. He wanted to make sure they were capable of doing something while not giving them any money. He covered various expenses, including the injured people’s medical bills and the victims’ children’s education.

He is also a prosperous philanthropist. He is a strong advocate for rural, educational, journalism, and media development. After this, the Tata group launched a number of initiatives and projects in his name.

Describe A Businessman You Admire – Sample Answer 2

The following is the second sample answer of the IELTS Speaking cue card – ‘describe a businessman you admire’:

Who is this Person?

Today, I want to talk about Bill Gates, who is one of the world’s most powerful and wealthy businessmen.

For How Long do you Know this Person?

I learned about this well-known personality through a documentary. This film focused on the founding fathers of Microsoft. I discovered his business prowess and his successful career from this point on.

American businessman, programmer, philanthropist, and co-founder of Microsoft, the world-famous maker of operating systems, is Bill Gates.

How did this Person Become Successful or Which Admiring Qualities does this Person Have?

Bill Gates was brought up in a respectable household where his mother taught in a public school and his father was a successful lobbyist. He had a fortunate childhood and never had to worry about meeting his fundamental necessities. He was also a gifted student who consistently did well in his coursework.

At the age of 13, he developed his first computer programme on a multicore processor made by his school that was powered by General Electric. His path to ultimate achievement began when he just met his partner, Paul Allen, at school. Together, they created software at the age of 15 that they sold for USD 20,000. After this, another piece of software that cost USD 30,000 was sold by them.

They established a business in 1975 and called it Microsoft. The corporation redeveloped 8 DOS and called it MS-DOS in order to formulate its operating system after many ups and downs. All of this harms the renowned IBM.

From that point on, the business started to expand and quickly became well-known in America attributable to a script, smarter decisions, and a business mindset. His interest in philanthropy changed once he achieved success and rose to become one of the richest people in the world. He is currently among the most prominent social workers and philanthropists. 

Additionally, he made a firm commitment to donate 80% of his estate before his passing for societal welfare, and he is presently very active in charitable causes and social welfare.

Describe A Businessman You Admire – Sample Answer 3

The following is the third sample answer of the IELTS Speaking cue card topic – ‘describe a businessman you admire’:

Who is this Person?

More and more people nowadays, particularly the young, look up to corporate leaders as role models. I believe it is fair since success in business requires a lot of hard work. I am going to talk about Warren Buffet, one of the world’s most successful investors.

He is a business entrepreneur, investor, and philanthropist from the United States. Berkshire Hathaway, his most well-known company, is a textile manufacturing corporation. Despite his enormous fortune, he is known for his commitment to value investment and his personal frugality. His generosity is another excellent quality. He is a well-known philanthropist, having vowed to donate 99% of his money to charitable organisations.

For How Long do you Know this Person?

While I was in university, I first heard about him. Because my degree is in business administration, I’ve had the opportunity to learn about various company models, tactics, and, of course, business leaders. And Warren Buffet rapidly piqued my interest. I was astounded by the manner he invested his money, making a fortune out of nothing. Given the fact that the globe did not appear as it does now, it is a challenging job.

How did this Person Become Successful or Which Admiring Qualities does this Person Have?

His business career has taught me a lot. I believe he is the one who teaches me about money management and how to transform money into a valuable asset.

Vocabulary for IELTS Speaking Topic Cue Card

Here are some words you learn to use in the IELTS speaking test for the cue card topic ‘describe a businessman you admire’: 

• Business Role Model: A business role model is a person whom you look up to and venerate. 

• Invest: To put in money with the goal of making a profit in financial schemes, real estate, stocks, or business ventures.

• Charismatic: A person with distinctive qualities that captivate, inspire, or appeal to others.

• Philanthropy: Acts of charity or other noble deeds that benefit others or society at large.

• Entrepreneurial Skill: Entrepreneurial skills are those that are typically associated with being an entrepreneur. Typically, this entails founding and growing your own profitable business.

• Inspiration: The acts of being intellectually inspired to act or feel, particularly in a thoughtful way.

• A born leader: Born leaders are those who have the natural ability to successfully organise and guide groups of people toward common objectives.

• Service-Oriented: The capability and desire to foresee, identify, and cater to the needs of others, often even before they express.

Follow-Up Questions for IELTS Speaking Topic – Describe A Businessman You Admire

The following are the questions that may be asked by an IELTS examiner after you finish elaborating on the IELTS Speaking cue card – Describe a businessman you admire:

1. How can someone become an entrepreneur? What qualities do they need?

To operate their own businesses, I believe a person must be bright, tenacious, adaptable, and passionate. A person must have the knowledge to analyse their target market and develop a business that is suitable for their clients. Additionally, they must have tenacity and fortitude because operating a business is fraught with difficulties and trials and tribulations. Finally, individuals must possess zeal in order to motivate their team members and develop unique ideas.

2. Young entrepreneurs prefer to engage in what fields when they start a business, and why?

I would assert that when it comes to launching a business, young people choose the art and technology sectors. Many young people have great creativity and a desire to market their products. I am familiar with people who make their income by selling prints, brooches, and other artwork. They can easily succeed if they have a distinctive style. Starting a firm in the technology sector is also a smart idea, especially as more innovative apps are being developed nowadays.

3. What is the optimal way to start a business – alone or with a team?

To make your business successful, it would be best to launch it in collaboration with others. As a team, one can generate twice as many ideas and funds. It can be quite challenging to make decisions and take risks when you are on your own because you may have no one to ask for assistance. Additionally, sharing the workload with a team or a partner allows you to avoid burnout.

4. What do you think are the key factors that contribute to the success of a business?

I believe that a company’s success is mostly determined by its inventiveness, tenacity, and adaptability. You need to have a distinctive strategy if you want to succeed. You need to use creativity to differentiate your company from many others. Additionally, businesses require leaders that are dedicated to achieving their objectives despite challenges. A business owner in today’s environment needs to be adaptable to many circumstances and requirements.

5. Would you think of starting your own business if you had the chance? Why?

I would like to start a little bookstore with a coffeehouse where customers may sit, read a book, and have a coffee with some snacks. Since I enjoy reading, I believe that I would be able to comprehend and anticipate my target audience’s needs and goals, which is crucial when running a business. Additionally, I believe that there is always a demand for additional cafes, therefore I would have a substantial number of customers.

In the end, it will be a good assignment for you to prepare notes on the two sample model answers we discussed in this article. Although IELTS Speaking cue card topics vary from one year to the next, it may prove to be a good exercise for you to start practising in advance.

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