SPEAK ENGLISH WITH HAPI HUYEN

IELTS
LEADERSHIP
LISTENING Section 3. Individualism (Source: C7T1S3)
DIFFERENCES BETWEEN INDIVIDUALS IN THE WORKPLACE
Speaker 1: A man (A teacher/ A lecturer/ A tutor)
Speaker 2: Philip
Speaker 3: Janice
Title: Individualism in the workplace
Arguments: Individualism (Personality) >< Teamwork (Common target)
Individuals bring different:
 ideas
 21 ......................
 learning experiences
Work behaviour differences are due to:
 personality
 22 ......................
Effects of diversity on companies:
 Advantage: diversity develops 23 ......................
 Disadvantage: diversity can cause conflict
Questions 24-27
Choose the correct letter, A, B or C.
24 Janice thinks that employers should encourage workers who are
 A potential leaders.
 B open to new ideas.
 C good at teamwork.
25 Janice suggests that managers may find it difficult to
 A form successful groups.
 B balance conflicting needs.
 C deal with uncooperative workers.
26 Janice believes employers should look for job applicants who
 A can think independently.
 B will obey the system.
 C can solve problems.
27 Janice believes managers should
 A demonstrate good behaviour.
 B encourage co-operation early on.
 C increase financial incentives.
Questions 28-30
Complete the sentences below.
Write ONE WORD ONLY for each answer.
28 All managers need to understand their employees and recognise their company's ......................
29 When managing change, increasing the company's ..................... may be more important than
employee satisfaction.
30 During periods of change, managers may have to cope with increased amounts of ......................

DON’T OVERTHINK!!!
LISTENING SECTION 3:
- Matching
- Maps
- Diagrams/ Flowchart

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- Multiple choice

SPEAKING: Business
IELTS Speaking 2025. Part 1
Teamwork
Do you like teamwork?
What do you dislike about teamwork?
What do you learn from working in a team?
Have you teamed up with someone else before?
PART 2:
Describe an ambition that you haven't achieved
You should say:
What it is
Why you haven't achieved it
What you are doing about it now
And how you feel about it
PART 3:

1. What are the traits of ambitious people?

Traits (n ) = Qualities = Attributes (n )
- Characteristics (n )
- Characters (n )
- Personalities (n )
Filter (Buy time): Well! To tell the truth, this question is quite tough to me. Let me think for
awhile.
MAIN IDEA: In my opinion, ambitious individuals have some outstanding qualities as follows:
EXPLANATION: To be more precise, these people are conventionally determined and
adventurous people who always set high goals and continuously make great efforts to reach
their expectations.
EXAMPLE: From my personal perspective, as a young person of ambition, I always make
risky plans to reach my full potential despite facing high levels of stress and tiredness.
2. Why do some people like to be the manager in the workplace?
Filter (Buy time): Wow! This is an interesting question! May I think about it a little bit?
MAIN IDEA: There are several main reasons for interests in/ desire at being a leader at work.
REASON 1: Firstly, many people love to have higher incomes which mostly come from the
managerial positions.
REASON 2: Secondly, most of them can arrange their tasks actively and independently to let the
common tasks happen smoothly, allocated to proper employees.
REASON 3: Finally, running a business may help them extend social relationships because of
their fame and reliability.
3. How do people balance work and life?
4. Why don't some people have dreams?
5. Why are some people very ambitious in their work?
6. What ambitions do children usually have?
SAMPLE:

Examiner: Do you work or are you a student?

Hati: I run my own business actually … I have an online business selling cosmetics … I set up the
business 5 years ago and I’m really enjoying working for myself …

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Examiner: What is your ideal job?
Kaori: I don’t think I’d enjoy working for a big company … I think I’d like to go it alone and be self-
employed … I’m not sure what area of business it would be but I think I’d enjoy the process of drawing
up a business plan and seeing if I could be successful …

Examiner: Is your town a nice place to live?

Monique: It’s OK … the main problem we have is our local high street … it used to be a busy centre but
lots of shops have gone bust … it must be very difficult to make a profit when you have huge
supermarkets in the area and a lot haven’t been able to survive with such cut-throat competition

Part 2-style task

Describe a business you know that you admire. You should say

 what this business is

 what the business sells
 how long you have known about the business

and say why you like it so much.

Magda: Actually I discovered a business very recently that I like so much I’d like to do something
similar in the future … it’s a small niche business that runs courses in how to cook … especially bread
… the owner uses his kitchen for the courses and went into business with a local community shop and
sells a lot of the bread and cakes they make in the shop … I first got to hear about the business last year
… my wife paid for me to do one of the baking courses and I got to know the owner during the training
… it’s a lifestyle business really … he doesn’t have plans to take on employees or expand into new
areas … he’s happy earning a living doing the thing he loves … I really admire what he does and I’m
sure a lot of people would love to do something similar … he has a web presence … in fact that’s how
we got to find out about his company … and he uses social media to raise the company profile … but
he’s the only person involved in running the business so he’s in complete control of where the business
goes … that’s something that must make it really satisfying … as long as he’s managing to balance the
books and the cash flow is healthy I’m sure he must be very pleased with what he has achieved …

Part 3-style questions

Examiner: Why do some people decide to set up their own business?

Marion: I suppose it’s the idea of being in control of your own destiny … or of believing in a product or
service idea you may have … plus it must be very exciting … launching products … winning
contracts … and seeing your sales figures improving must be wonderful …

Examiner: What are some of the dangers involved in starting a business?

Hiro: Well … obviously you need to have a good idea … some people say you need to do market
research beforehand so you know what the market wants … if you don’t do this you could go under …
and if it is a good idea the chances are someone else is doing the same thing so you could end up
facing stiff competition …

Examiner: What are some of things you have to do when running your own business that might not
appeal to everyone?
Katy: Personally i don’t like being in debt so taking out a business loan wouldn’t suit me at all … and I
know a lot of companies do cold calling to try and drum up business … that’s something I’d hate to do
… and laying people off if the business gets into trouble … that would be horrible …

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WRITING:
IELTS Writing Task 1:
The graph below shows the top priorities by business companies in the USA in 2016.

IELTS Writing Task 2:

TASK 2.1: Directors and managers of organisations are often older people. Some people say
that it is better for younger people to be leaders. To what extent do you agree?
TASK 2.2: Some people believe that it is good to share as much information as posible in scientific
research, business and the academic world. Others believe that some information is too important or
too valuable to share freely. Discuss both views and give your own opinion.
Freely-shared sources in terms of science, business, and education
SUPPORT AGAINST
- Pass down their success tips on the next - Worth payment or incentives for sharers who
generations to create better civilizations make great efforts and contribution to the society
- Help them get more fame - Encourage or motivate the contributors
- Boost their company profile - Be more reliable
- Be equality
What benefits are there if much useful information about science, business, and academic world is shared
freely in public, especially on the mass media?
Youtube: TedED, TedTalks, BBC, CNN
Starbucks: Successfully create their own outstanding stories => business tips > telling about their
successful business stories
TASK 2.3: Because of traffic and housing problems in the cities，the government encourages business
move to the rural area. Do you think the advantages outweigh the disadvantages?
REALLOCATION OF BUSSINESSES TO RURAL AREAS
SUPPORT SOLUTIONS
- High pressure of lack of accommodation in big - Eg: TH True Milk
cities - Ensure smooth road infrastructure
- High pressure of heavy traffic, especially - Reduce taxes
congestion at rush hours in big cities - Create industrial zones in rural areas or business
- High pressure of environmental pollution towns

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+ More space to operate their business activities
+ Reduce high amounts of costs including fixed
assets and salaries

TASK 2.4: In the past, most people worked for small businesses, while more people now work for
large businesses. What are advantages and dis advantages of working for large businesses?
BUSINESSES
SMALL BUSINESSES LARGE BUSINESSES
- Take various responsibilities - Take some certain/ particular/ clear
- Learn a lot from different positions responsibilities
- Unclear duties - Professional
- Not professtional working styles - Become excellent in one aspect
- Generally receive lower salaries - Become competent in their own field
- Not specialize => difficult to develop a certain - => More difficult for them to run their own
skill business in the future
=> Useful for them to start their own business in
the future
TASK 2.5: Nowadays many business meetings and training are happening online and not in real
offices. Do you think the advantages of this approach outweigh the disadvantages?
Subject: BUSINESSES
Topic: Online business meetings and training
PROS CONS
1. Convenient 1. Health problems after a long time in front of
technological screens
2. Economical (reduce travelling time and money, 2. Uncontrollable quality of meetings and training
reduce accommodation and catering costs)
3. Increase meeting and training time 3. Limited interaction (Power of communication
comes from not only verbal language but body
languages)
4. Easily global management 4. Possible problems of technological gadgets,
especially loss of internet connection (unreliable
internet access)
5. Special effects such as automatical note-taking 5. Limited emotions and feelings
and record

TASK 2.6: In many countries around the world, it is common for families to run their own business.
Some people think that keeping the business within the family is the best approach whilst other
believe this could lead to problems. Discuss both views and give your opinion.
Subject: BUSINESSES
Topic: Family businesses
PROS CONS
1. Reduce many costs in terms of fixed assets and 1. Hard to raise the business profile
taxes.
2. Provide customers with cheaper products 2. Reach fewer potential customers
3. Work independently 3. Less reliable
4. Work flexibly 4. Take risks of poor-quality products
5. Schedule tasks actively 5. False products
6. Feel more pleasant / less stressed

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TASK 2.7: Some companies have uniforms for their employees which must be worn when they are at
work. What are the advantages for a business of having a uniform and are there any advantages of having
uniform for their staff? Give reasons for your answer and include any relevant examples from your own
knowledge or experience.
Subject: BUSINESSES
Topic: Uniforms
BUSINESSES STAFF
1. Raise the company profile 1. Save dressing time
2. Create the equal working environment (equal 2. Save money to buy various clothes
culture)
3. Become professional and formal 3. Feel more self-confident and pleasant
4. Create the unique beauty for the organization 4. Look more professional
5. Feel more responsible and proud

TASK 2.8: Large businesses have big budgets for marketing and promotion and as a result, people
graviate towards buying their products. What problems does this cause? What could be done to encourage
people to buy local products?
TASK 2.9: Small businesses should avoid recruiting young women who do not have their own family in
order to avoid paying maternity leave later on. To what extent do you agree or disagree?
TASK 2.10: Some people say that climate change has negative impact on business while others believe
it will creat new opportunities for business. Discuss both views and give your opinion.
READING:
(Source: https://mini-ielts.com/725/reading/change-in-business-organisations )
Change in business organisations
A The forces that operate to bring about change in organisations can be thought of as winds which are
many and varied - from small summer breezes that merely disturb a few papers, to mighty howling gales
which cause devastation to structures and operations, causing consequent reorientation of purpose and
rebuilding. Sometimes, however, the winds die down to give periods of relative calm, periods of relative
organisational stability. Such a period was the agricultural age, which Goodman (1995) maintains
prevailed in Europe and western societies as a whole until the early 1700s. During this period, wealth was
created in the context of an agriculturally based society influenced mainly by local markets (both
customer and labour) and factors outside people’s control, such as the weather. During this time, people
could fairly well predict the cycle of activities required to maintain life, even if that life might be at little
more than subsistence level.
B To maintain the meteorological metaphor, stronger winds of change blew to bring in the Industrial
Revolution and the industrial age. Again, according to Goodman, this lasted for a long time, until around
1945. It was characterised by a series of inventions and innovations that reduced the number of people
needed to work the land and, in turn, provided the means of production of hitherto rarely obtainable
goods; for organisations, supplying these in ever increasing numbers became the aim. To a large extent,
demand and supply were predictable, enabling . companies to structure their organisations along what
Burns and Stalker (1966) described as mechanistic lines, that is as systems of strict hierarchical structures
and firm means of control.
C This situation prevailed for some time, with demand still coming mainly from the domestic market and
organisations striving to fill the ‘supply gap’. Thus the most disturbing environmental influence on
organisations of this time was the demand for products, which outstripped supply. The saying attributed
to Henry Ford that ‘You can have any colour of car so long as it is black’, gives a flavour of the supply-
led state of the market. Apart from any technical difficulties of producing different colours of car, Ford
did not have to worry about customers’ colour preferences: he could sell all that he made. Organisations

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of this period can be regarded as ‘task-oriented’, with effort being put into increasing production through
more effective and efficient production processes.
D As time passed, this favourable period for organisations began to decline. In the neo-industrial age,
people became more discriminating in the goods and services they wished to buy and, as technological
advancements brought about increased productivity, supply overtook demand. Companies began,
increasingly, to look abroad for additional markets.
E At the same time, organisations faced more intensive competition from abroad for their own products
and services. In the West, this development was accompanied by a shift in focus from manufacturing to
service, whether this merely added value to manufactured products, or whether it was service in-its own
right. In the neo-industrial age of western countries, the emphasis moved towards adding value to goods
and services - what Goodman calls the value-oriented time, as contrasted with the task- oriented and
products/services-oriented times of the past.
F Today, in the post-industrial age, most people agree that organisational life is becoming ever more
uncertain, as the pace of change quickens and the future becomes less predictable. Writing in 1999,
Nadler and Tushman, two US academics, said: ‘Poised on the eve of the next century, we are witnessing a
profound transformation in the very nature of our business organisations. Historic forces have converged
to fundamentally reshape the scope, strategies, and structures of large enterprises.’ At a less general level
of analysis, Graeme Leach, Chief Economist at the British Institute of Directors, claimed in the Guardian
newspaper (2000) that: ‘By 2020, the nine-to-five rat race will be extinct and present levels of self-
employment, commuting and technology use, as well as age and sex gaps, will have changed beyond
recognition.’ According to the article, Leach anticipates that: ‘In 20 years time, 20-25 percent of the
workforce will be temporary workers and many more will be flexible, ... 25 percent of people will no
longer work in a traditional office and ... 50 percent will work from home in some form.’ Continuing to
use the ‘winds of change’ metaphor, the expectation's of damaging gale-force winds bringing the need for
rebuilding that takes the opportunity to incorporate new ideas and ways of doing things.
G Whether all this will happen is arguable. Forecasting the future is always fraught with difficulties. For
instance, Mannermann (1998) sees future studies as part art and part science and notes: ‘The future is full
of surprises, uncertainty, trends and trend breaks, irrationality and rationality, and it is changing and
escaping from our hands as time goes by. It is also the result of actions made by innumerable more or less
powerful forces.’ What seems certain is that the organisational world is changing at a fast rate - even if
the direction of change is not always predictable. Consequently, it is crucial that organisational managers
and decision makers are aware of, and able to analyse the factors which trigger organisational change.
Questions 1-5
Reading Passage has SEVEN paragraphs, A-G.
Which paragraph contains the following information?
Write the correct letter, A-G.

1 some specific predictions about businesses and working practices

2 reference to the way company employees were usually managed

3 a warning for business leaders

4 the description of an era notable for the relative absence of change

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5 a reason why customer satisfaction was not a high priority

Questions 6-10
Look at the following characteristics (Questions 6-10) and the list of periods below.
Match each characteristic with the correct period, A, B or C.
Write the correct letter, A, B or C.
NB You may use any letter more than once.

6 a surplus of goods.

7 an emphasis on production quantity.

8 the proximity of consumers to workplaces.

9 a focus on the quality of goods.

10 new products and new ways of working.

List of periods
A The agricultural age.
B The industrial age.
C The neo-industrial age.

Questions 11-13
Complete the summary below.
Choose ONE WORD ONLY from the passage for each answer.
Businesses in the 21st century
It is generally agreed that changes are taking place more quickly now, and that organisations are being
transformed. One leading economist suggested that by 2020, up to a quarter of employees would

be 11 and half of all employees would be based in the 12 . Although predictions can

be wrong, the speed of change is not in doubt, and business leaders need to understand the 13
that will be influential.