Describe a Successful Businessperson You Know - IELTS Cue Card
Last updated: Feb 14, 2025In the IELTS speaking section, you might be asked to talk about a successful business person you know and admire. This is the best chance to showcase your speaking skills to the examiner and express your thoughts on your favourite tycoon. However, there is a specific way to answer this question. In this blog, you can read three expert ways to answer a cue card topic, "Describe a Successful Business Person You Know" with some tips to ace this task.

Table of Contents
Introduction to IELTS Cue Cards
Cue cards are an important task in the IELTS speaking section. In this, the test taker will be given a topic on a cue card related to a person, occasion, object, study, and time. However, they have one minute to prepare a well-organized speech to speak for 1 to 2 minutes.
Now, let's see how to answer the second task in the speaking section of the IELTS exam.
How to Answer the Cue Card?
Aspirants must know the exam pattern of the speaking section before they start the IELTS speaking part 2. There is no option to change the cue card topic. So, you must be ready for every possible question. In addition, you should utilize the preparation time well and collect all the necessary details to speak.
However, you should answer the cue cards in an organized manner to boost your chances of getting a higher score. Let's take an example of "Describe a Successful Businessperson You Know". For this topic, you should frame your answer in the below-mentioned manner.
- Firstly, introduce the business person to the examiner.
- Secondly, talk about the business they are involved in.
- Thirdly, describe how you know about this person.
- At last, explain why you think this person is successful.
Let's look at how a cue card looks like in the IELTS speaking part 2 for the above topic.
Now, you know all about the IELTS cue cards. So, let's look at some expert answers for the topic of describing a successful business person. It will help you understand the right way to answer any topic.
Describe a Successful Businessperson You Know- Sample 1
The expert way to answer the IELTS speaking part 2 for the topic is "Describe a Successful Businessperson You Know" is here:
Introduction
Of course! A famous and successful business person whom I know and admire is Steven Paul Jobs or Steve Jobs. He was a prominent American businessman, inventor, and investor best known for co-founding the technology company.
Who this person is
He was the initiator and former CEO of a well-known company- Apple known for their electronic products all over the world. He was also the founder of next and chairman and majority shareholder of Pixar.
What business are they involved in
He was in the electronics business started on April 1, 1976. His company, "Apple" is known for bringing a tremendous revolution in technology. He invented and introduced some of the popular products like the iPhone, iPad, and iPod to Apple enthusiasts.
How do you know about this person
I know Steve Jobs via media articles and the internet. He is globally known for his innovations. The launch of new products from his company is always awaited by a large number of people.
Explain Why You Think This Person is Successful
He always takes a risk in upgrading his best-selling products to bring evolution. According to me, this made him a successful businessperson. I am inspired by his words- "The people who are crazy enough to think they can change the world are the ones who do".
Conclusion
Steve Jobs is not just a businessman; he is a role model for many people and aims to change the alternate world with their imagination.
Access speaking Mock Test Describe a Successful Businessperson You Know- Sample 2
Here's the second way to answer the IELTS speaking section task 2.
Introduction
From Ambanis to Adanis and Tatas, India is home to many business tycoons. Among them, I deeply admire Late Sir Ratan Tata.
Who He Is
He was the former CEO of the TATA Group, born on December 28, 1937, and he left us on October 9, 2024. During this journey, he served as the chairman of Tata Group and Tata Sons from 1991 to 2012. Furthermore, he was the interim chairman of his group from October 2016 to February 2017.
What Business He Was Involved In
Under the leadership of Ratan Tata, his Group thrived in various industries, including steel, chemicals, technology, cosmetics, marketing, engineering, manufacturing, tea, automobiles, and consultancy, to name just a few. He oversaw nearly 30 companies across the globe, making a significant impact in so many sectors.
How I Know About Him
He is a dignitary. I have come to know about him through his viral interviews, news, and the headlines in media. His thoughts and genuine simplicity steal the spotlight at every event he attends.
Why I Think He Was Successful
I am inspired by his attitude toward accepting challenges and his vision to change the world. These qualities were key to his remarkable success and a lasting legacy.
Conclusion
There’s no doubt that India has many inspiring industrialists, but the kindness and helping nature of the Late Sir Ratan Tata truly set him apart from other leaders.
Describe a Successful Businessperson You Know- Sample 3
Here's another expert way to answer the cue cards for IELTS speaking task 2.
Introduction
I want to share my thoughts about Ashok Patni, a well-known and successful businessperson. He’s one of the top industrialists in India, hailing from Kishangarh in Rajasthan.
Who This Person Is
Ashok Patni is the founder and chairman of the RK Group. He initiated his organization back in 1989 in Kishangarh, and today it stands as one of India’s leading companies in the industry.
What Business He’s Involved In
Mr. Patni is involved in the cement and marble business. His company, Wonder Cement, signed a sponsorship deal with the IPL in 2024. On top of that, RK Marble is renowned for its high-quality marble stone. They’ve even got mines in Vietnam, which really puts them on the map as one of the top companies in the field.
How I Know About This Person
I spend a lot of time surfing the internet, and one day, while casually reading some blogs, I stumbled upon the inspiring success story of Ashok Patni. It really struck a chord with me and sparked my motivation.
Why I Think He’s Successful
What I admire about the RK Group is their commitment to delivering premium quality natural stones and cement. They’ve built a strong sense of trust with their customers, which I believe has played a significant role in Ashok Patni’s success as a businessman in India.
Conclusion
I recommend that everyone take the time to read about Mr. Patni’s success story. I believe it can inspire and help many people boost their self-confidence.

Lexical Resources
Here are the meanings of difficult words and phrases used by the experts while answering the cue card.
| Lexical Resources | Meaning |
|---|---|
| Prominent | Important or Famous |
| Initiator | A person or thing that starts someone or something. |
| Enthusiasts | A person who is very interested in an activity or subject |
| Innovations | A new method, idea, product, etc. |
| awaited | To wait for or be waiting for something |
| Evolution | The gradual process of change and development of something |
| Business tycoons | A prominent figure in a particular industry who has amassed substantial wealth and power while building a business empire |
| Interim | Not final or lasting; temporary until somebody/something more permanent is found |
| Thrived | To grow or develop well |
| Dignitary | A person who is influential or has an important official position |
| Hailing | To proclaim that somebody/something is very good or very special |
| Renowned | Widely acclaimed and highly honored |
| Stumbled significant | Important or large enough to be noticed |
| Surf the Internet | Go Online. |
This list of lexical resources will a lot to build your vocabulary for IELTS exam.
Follow-up Questions
The third task of the speaking section is about two-way discussion from the cue card topic. So, test takers must know some possible questions examiners may ask on the exam day.
Q.1 What specific qualities do you think contribute to the success of this businessperson?
Q2. How do you think this successful businessperson has influenced the local community?
Q3. Do you think food can influence relationships? How?
Q4. How has technology influenced the success of this businessperson?
Q5. What are the future prospects for this successful businessperson and their business?
Tips to Excel in IELTS Cue Card
There are some key tips that every aspirant must keep in mind and follow while preparing or answering the cue card. However, let's look at them here.
- Practice daily with the IELTS speaking mock test to avoid mental stress.
- Read the question thoroughly.
- Note down the key points to speak while answering the cue card. Try to include all the questions in the prompt.
- Use the lexical resources well to frame the answers to secure the desired band score.
- Learn to manage time properly.
- Try to cover maximum points while speaking.
It is easy to ace speaking task 2 of the IELTS exam. All that is needed is regular practice and a good vocabulary to answer the cue card. We, at Gradding can help in the test preparation. You can join our scheduled offline and online IELTS classes, clear all your doubts and get personalized study materials to learn at your own pace, improve your vocabulary, and build confidence to securea good band on the exam.
0 comments

Practice Makes a Man Perfect!Take FREE ielts Mock Tests
Start FREE Mock TestGet Unlimited Access with
IELTS Prep Boost
Mock Tests
Practice Questions
Study Material
Recorded Classes
What is your Target IELTS Band?
Not Confident in Speaking? Practice Cue Card Now.
Start Practice










