IELTS Speaking Practice Test: Business Success

In my neighbourhood, we’ve seen a real boom in café-style businesses recently. These aren’t just traditional coffee shops, but modern places that combine coffee with co-working spaces. They’re particularly popular among young professionals who work remotely. We also have quite a few tech startups, which isn’t surprising given that we’re close to a university district.

Useful language:a real boomco-working spaceswork remotely

Yes, occasionally. I’d love the independence of running my own business, but I’m aware of the financial risk, so for now I’d prefer to gain more experience first.

Useful language:financial riskgain experience

I try to support small local shops when I can, because the service is more personal and the money stays in the community. But for electronics or everyday items, large stores are usually cheaper.

Useful language:the money stays in the community

A good product is essential, but I think understanding customers is even more important — listening to feedback and adapting quickly. Strong leadership and careful money management matter too.

Useful language:adapting quicklymoney management

Yes, lots — especially restaurants, bakeries and small shops. Many have been passed down through several generations.

Useful language:passed down through generations

Probably a small business, at least at the start of my career, because I’d get to do a wider range of tasks and learn faster. Large companies offer more stability, though.

Useful language:a wider range of tasksstability

I’d open a small language café, where people can practise foreign languages with native speakers over coffee. It combines two things I love.

Useful language:combines two things I love

In some ways it’s easier — you can sell online and market on social media with very little money. But competition is global now, so standing out is much harder.

Useful language:standing outcompetition is global

I’d like to talk about Sarah Chen, a local entrepreneur who transformed her home-based bakery into a successful chain of artisanal bread shops. She started her business five years ago, initially baking sourdough bread in her kitchen and selling it through social media platforms.

What makes her story particularly interesting is how she grew her business. Instead of taking the traditional route of opening a single shop, she created a subscription-based model where customers could order weekly bread deliveries. This innovative approach helped her build a loyal customer base before she even opened her first physical store.

Her success came from a combination of factors. Firstly, she recognised the growing demand for high-quality, artisanal bread. Secondly, she leveraged social media effectively, sharing her baking process and building a community around her brand. Finally, she invested in training local young people in traditional baking methods, which not only helped her scale operations but also contributed to the community.

I admire Sarah because she didn’t just build a successful business; she created a movement that promotes traditional baking methods and sustainable practices. She’s shown that it’s possible to grow a business while maintaining quality and making a positive impact on the community. Her story demonstrates that success in business isn’t just about profits; it’s about creating value for others.

Useful language:transformeda subscription-based modela loyal customer baseleveraged social mediascale operationscreating value for others

Education plays a multifaceted role, though not always in the traditional sense. Formal business education provides theoretical knowledge and analytical tools, but its true value often lies in developing critical thinking and networking opportunities. That said, many successful entrepreneurs combine technical skills with business sense, and the most valuable education often comes from practical experience and learning from failure. So the ability to keep learning and adapting is perhaps more crucial than any degree.

Useful language:multifacetednetworking opportunitiesbusiness senselearning from failure

Technology has made it possible to reach customers worldwide through e-commerce, to work remotely and to automate tasks like accounting. Data analysis helps businesses understand customers better. It has also lowered barriers to entry, so small startups can compete with established companies.

Useful language:e-commerceautomate taskslowered barriers to entry

High rents and rising costs are a big challenge, along with competition from large online retailers that can offer lower prices. Small businesses often struggle to access loans and to keep up with technology and regulations, especially with limited staff.

Useful language:rising costsonline retailersaccess loans

Partly. Skills like planning, finance and marketing can definitely be taught. But qualities like resilience, risk-taking and spotting opportunities come more from experience and personality. Courses are most useful when they include real projects and mentoring.

Useful language:risk-takingspotting opportunitiesmentoring

Social media lets businesses build a brand, interact directly with customers and advertise cheaply. A single viral post can bring huge growth. On the other hand, negative reviews spread just as fast, so businesses have to manage their reputation carefully.

Useful language:build a brandviral postmanage their reputation

I expect more automation and AI in everyday operations, more remote and flexible working, and stronger pressure to be sustainable and transparent. Customers will increasingly choose businesses based on their values, not just their prices.

Useful language:automationflexible workingsustainable and transparent

Yes, because small businesses create many jobs and keep local economies diverse. Governments could reduce paperwork, offer low-interest loans and provide training in digital skills. However, support should encourage innovation rather than keep unviable businesses alive indefinitely.

Useful language:reduce paperworklow-interest loansunviable

Businesses that survive usually have healthy cash reserves, flexible costs and loyal customers. They also adapt quickly — for example, many restaurants survived the pandemic by switching to delivery. Those that fail often relied on one product or customer group, or carried too much debt.

Useful language:cash reservesadapt quicklytoo much debt