Describe a small business that you would like to open, (or, start or run or own
or have) if you had the chance.
You should say:
- What this business would be
- Where it would be located
- What people you would hire as employees
And explain why you’d like to have this small business.
Sample Answer
Well, if I were to talk about my dream business, a small book café would definitely be the first thing that springs to my mind right now. Actually, I’ve been thinking about it for a long time as I always enjoy reading books and drinking coffee in a tranquil space. When I get enough money together, I will start my own business for sure.
My desire is to create a place for people who are seeking serenity and trying to escape from the hustle and bustle of city life, so I would look for a location in a quiet street, maybe around the Old Quarter. My café would be decorated elaborately with lights and houseplants, creating a calm, homely atmosphere for the customers. Bookshelves filled with books of every kind would run along the walls and in the corners and everyone would be welcome to choose a book from the shelves to enjoy while drinking their coffee.
Like many other coffee shops, I would hire students to work as part-time employees at my book café, especially ones who share the same passion for books as I do. They could earn their living in a comfortable and friendly working environment, and I would aim to nurture their love of books, so that their work would become a pleasure.
Owning my own book café has been my lifelong dream. To read books is to broaden one’s horizons, and to drink coffee is to enjoy life. When I reach a certain point in my life where I feel satisfied enough with my career, I will resign and run my small café. I believe that one day I will make my dream come true.
Vocab Highlights
– cafe [n] a place where you can buy drinks and simple meals
Example: Every Saturday, we drink coffee and eat cakes in our local cafe.
– spring to mind [expression] to appear suddenly or immediately in your thoughts
Example: The Harry Potter novels immediately spring to mind as an example of recent best-selling books.
– tranquil [adj] quiet and peaceful
Example: She led a tranquil life in the countryside.
– get money together [expression] save money to buy something
Example: I want to buy a new car, as soon as I can get enough money together.
– serenity [n] the quality of being calm and peaceful
Example: The hotel offers a haven of peace and serenity away from the hustle and bustle of the city.
– hustle and bustle [expression] busy and noisy activity
Example: He wanted a little cottage far away from the hustle and bustle of city life.
– elaborately [adverb] in a carefully prepared, detailed and organised way
Example: The hotel lobby was elaborately decorated in preparation for the President’s visit.
– homely [adj] making you feel comfortable, as if you were in your own home
Example: The restaurant was homely, with just a few tables and a relaxed atmosphere.
– run along [phrasal verb] be in line with
Example: An electric fence ran along the top of the wall to protect the building.
– passion [n] a very strong feeling of some emotion – love, hatred, anger, enthusiasm
Example: She spoke with great passion about the natural beauty of her homeland.
– earn a living [expression] to make money in order to support yourself financially
Example: The wages are so low in this city that I have to do three jobs just in order to earn a living.
– nurture [v] to help somebody/something to develop and be successful
Example: My father nurtured a love of art in me and nothing gives me more pleasure than visiting an art gallery.
– horizon [n] the limit of your desires, knowledge or interests
Example: She wanted to travel and experience other cultures in order to broaden her
horizons.
– resign [v] to officially tell somebody that you are leaving your job, leaving an organisation
Example: He resigned as manager after 8 years, in order to spend more time with his family.