Hi everyone, and welcome to IELTS TIME. In today’s episode, we’re focusing on a Part 3 topic: Small Businesses.
To help us explore the topic, we’ll first listen to a dialogue featuring Joseph as he answers some common questions. As you listen, notice how he develops his ideas, uses thoughtful language, and responds naturally to each question.
What are some of the most popular kinds of small businesses in your country?
In my country, small-scale food and beverage outlets, such as street food stalls and independent cafés, are incredibly common. Additionally, e-commerce ventures, particularly in fashion and handmade crafts, have seen a surge in popularity thanks to platforms like Instagram and TikTok. Many people are also branching out into tech-related services, like freelance graphic design or digital marketing consultancies.
Do you think local businesses are important to a neighbourhood? Why or why not?
Absolutely. Local businesses are often the backbone of a neighbourhood. They not only provide essential services but also foster a sense of identity and belonging within the community. Unlike large chains, these businesses tend to build personal relationships with residents, which helps create a more connected and vibrant local environment.
How can a small business grow big?
Growth often hinges on a combination of innovation, adaptability, and strategic thinking. For example, a business that innovates by embracing digital tools (like e-commerce platforms or AI-driven analytics) can adapt to changing consumer habits and strategically scale beyond its local market. Other key strategies include expanding the product range, reinvesting profits wisely, and maintaining a strong online presence—all of which require strategic foresight, as they require anticipating market trends and planning long-term. In some cases, partnerships or franchising can further accelerate expansion.
What qualities does a small business owner need to have?
A successful business owner needs to be resilient and resourceful. Given the uncertainties involved, it’s essential to remain calm under pressure and think creatively when facing obstacles. Strong leadership, sound financial management, and effective communication skills are also vital, especially when dealing with clients, suppliers, and employees.
How have small businesses changed in your country in recent years?
There’s been a dramatic shift toward digitisation. Many businesses that once relied solely on face-to-face interaction now operate partially or entirely online. Social media marketing has become indispensable, and there’s also been a noticeable move towards eco-friendly practices, with consumers increasingly favouring brands that are sustainable and transparent.
In your opinion, what kinds of small businesses might young people start in the future?
I think we’ll see a rise in tech-driven startups, particularly in areas like app development, AI services, and virtual reality experiences. Moreover, as environmental awareness continues to grow, eco-conscious businesses—such as zero-waste shops or ethical fashion brands—will likely attract young entrepreneurs. The gig economy will also keep expanding, so freelance-based services will remain popular.
Could you compare owning and running a small business with being an employee in a large company?
Certainly. Running a business offers autonomy and creative freedom, but it also comes with significant responsibility and financial risk. In contrast, being employed by a large corporation often means more stability, access to structured career growth, and employee benefits. However, it can be restrictive in terms of innovation or decision-making. Ultimately, it depends on whether someone prioritizes security or independence.
Welcome back! You just heard Joseph tackling some common questions about small businesses. Let’s talk about how he handled those questions, what worked well, and how you can build similar high-scoring responses.
So let’s go back to the first thing Joseph was asked: What are some of the most popular kinds of small businesses in your country?
This question is straightforward, but your answer shouldn’t be too basic. Joseph gave a great answer by mentioning food stalls, cafés, and online clothing shops. What made his response strong was that he didn’t just name businesses—he talked about how social media platforms like Instagram have helped young entrepreneurs promote their products. That extra context shows the examiner that you can link a local trend to a bigger social or economic change.
If you’re answering this question yourself, think about what’s visible in your daily life. Maybe your neighbourhood has pop-up bakeries or small digital services like resume design. Bring those into your answer—make it real, not generic.
Next up, the examiner asked Joseph: Do you think local businesses are important to a neighbourhood?
Joseph’s answer here was spot on. He talked about how small businesses contribute to a sense of community and mentioned that, unlike large chains, they “tend to build personal relationships with residents,” which helps create a more connected and vibrant local environment. What really stood out was his point about how they foster a “sense of identity and belonging” within the community. That’s the kind of phrasing IELTS examiners love—rich, precise, and meaningful. It shows you’re not just answering from the surface, but really engaging with the question.
If you want to take it further, add a quick example. You might say something like, “In my hometown, there’s a bookstore that’s been around for decades. People know the owner by name, and it’s more than just a shop—it’s part of the local identity.”
Then came a big question: How can a small business grow big?
This is where your ability to organize ideas clearly becomes important. Joseph talked about innovation, adaptability, and strategic thinking, giving examples like embracing digital tools and expanding the product or service range. If I were coaching you, I’d suggest you add a bit of structure. For instance, you might say, “I think there are three key factors—first, offering consistent quality, second, adapting to customer needs, and third, using digital tools to reach a wider audience.”That kind of phrasing signals to the examiner that you’re logically developing your answer, not just rambling.
After that, the conversation shifted to personal qualities: What qualities does a small business owner need to have?
Joseph listed some solid traits—being resilient and resourceful, emphasizing the ability to remain calm under pressure and think creatively. But one thing you can do to boost your score is to back up those traits with a quick story. For example: “A friend of mine opened a home bakery during the pandemic. She had no formal business training, but her ability to stay calm under pressure and handle customer feedback really helped her succeed.” This sort of personal example makes your answer more relatable and memorable. He also mentioned the importance of strong leadership, sound financial management, and effective communication skills
Later, Joseph was asked: How have small businesses changed in your country in recent years?
And this was one of his strongest moments. He explained how businesses have shifted online, embraced social media, and adopted eco-friendly practices. These are real trends—and including them shows that you’re aware of the changing landscape around you.
Just remember, when the examiner asks about changes, they’re inviting you to compare past and present. You can say things like, “Ten years ago, most small businesses relied on foot traffic, but now it’s common for them to do most of their sales online.” That kind of contrast demonstrates your ability to analyze a topic over time.
The next question asked Joseph to look ahead: What kinds of small businesses might young people start in the future?
This is where creativity meets logic. Joseph talked about tech-based startups, sustainability-focused products, and freelance services. What made this a strong answer wasn’t just the ideas themselves, but the way he linked them to broader trends—like environmental awareness and the rise of the gig economy. If you can do that, you’ll show the examiner that you can speculate in an informed way.
And finally, the examiner asked: Could you compare owning and running a small business with being an employee in a large company?
Joseph made a clear and balanced comparison—freedom versus stability, risk versus security. But if you really want to impress in this kind of question, try using a metaphor or analogy. You might say, “Running your own business is like sailing your own boat—you choose the direction, but you also face the waves. Working in a big company is more like being on a cruise ship—it’s stable, but you’re not steering.” That kind of imagery adds flavor and fluency.
So what can we learn from Joseph’s responses?
He stayed organized, used relevant vocabulary, and connected his ideas to broader trends—all of which are key to scoring well in Part 3. While he didn’t include specific or personalised examples, his answers were still thoughtful and well-developed. Just remember, these questions aren’t testing your business expertise—they’re testing how clearly and naturally you can express and support your ideas.
Before we wrap up, here are three things you can do to prepare for a topic like small businesses:
- Pay attention to local businesses around you—think about how they started, how they’ve changed, and what makes them succeed.
- Practice using business-related vocabulary in your own words: things like entrepreneurship, niche market, customer loyalty, digital presence.
- Record yourself answering one of today’s questions. Then listen back and ask yourself—did I explain my idea clearly? Did I give an example? Did I use good linking phrases?
That’s all for today’s episode. If you found this helpful, don’t forget to follow the show and leave us a review—it helps others discover it too.
Thanks for listening, and I’ll catch you in the next episode!
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