IELTS Speaking Part 2

Describe a famous business person that you know about

Describe a famous business person that you know about.

You should say:

One minute to prepare, then speak for one to two minutes.

How to plan it in one minute

  1. Note down three adjectives to describe their personality before detailing their business background.
  2. Use a chronological narrative to link their early life to their current professional success.
  3. Focus on one specific achievement that makes them unique to keep the response focused.

Band 8 model answer

I would like to talk about Sara Blakely, the founder of Spanx. She is a self-made billionaire who revolutionised the shapewear industry. Before she became a household name, she was selling fax machines door-to-door, which I find incredibly grounding. Her business journey is quite legendary; she famously started the company with just five thousand dollars in savings and a pair of cut-off pantyhose, aiming to create a more comfortable undergarment for women. She spent years cold-calling manufacturers and personally writing her own patent to save on legal fees, which really highlights her sheer determination and grit. Unlike many corporate leaders who rely on traditional advertising, she built her brand through word-of-mouth and genuine consumer trust, refusing to take outside investment for nearly two decades to maintain creative control. I genuinely admire her because she maintains a refreshingly playful and authentic persona despite her massive success. She is not just focused on profit; she is a vocal advocate for female entrepreneurship and has donated millions to support women-led ventures. What strikes me most is her willingness to celebrate failure. She often speaks about how her father used to ask her what she had failed at that week during dinner, which taught her to view setbacks as essential stepping stones rather than obstacles. She manages to balance being an incredibly sharp business strategist with a philanthropic heart, making her an empowering role model for anyone who wants to build something meaningful from scratch without compromising their personal integrity. Her story proves that you do not need a traditional background to disrupt an entire industry.

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

Vocabulary from the answer

self-made
having achieved success through one's own efforts
household name
a person or brand known by everyone
grit
courage and resolve in the face of difficulty
cold-calling
contacting potential customers without prior introduction
disrupt
drastically alter an industry through new innovation
stepping stones
events that help one make progress forward
philanthropic
seeking to promote the welfare of others
integrity
the quality of being honest and morally upright

Part 3 questions that follow this card

Answer each in three to five sentences: position, reason, example, limit. See the Part 3 guide.

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Frequently asked questions

How should I start the cue card "Describe a famous business person that you know about."?

Note down three adjectives to describe their personality before detailing their business background.

How long should my answer be?

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.

Can I use this model 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.

More cue cards: a person