This is an IELTS writing task 2 sample answer essay on the topic of advice for medical problems and seeing doctors from the real IELTS general training exam.
Please consider supporting me on Patreon.com/howtodoielts to receive my exclusive IELTS Ebooks – you can even sign up for private live lessons with me!
Dave
IELTS Essay: Neighbors in Large Cities
Today, many people do not know their neighbors in large cities.
What problems does this cause?
What can be done about this?
It is increasingly common in large urban areas for neighbors to interact less. In my opinion, this results in a declining sense of community and the solutions must be individually motivated.
In most cities today, the lack of connection between neighbors has caused less culturally unique neighborhoods. An illustrative counter-example to this would be famous neighborhoods such as Venice Beach in Los Angeles and Greenwich Village in New York City. In the past, individuals living in these areas shared similar values and that led to a flourishing of a unique culture. One result of such a sense of community was the “Beat Poets” of Greenwich. Related to this is the fading distinctiveness of communities that have value for locals and tourists alike. An individual living in a district in a major metropolis today feels little sentiment for its streets, buildings and other inhabitants and therefore derives nearly nothing in the way of a singular shared identity.
Remedies for the problems detailed above involve individual initiative. Governments attempting to contrive a sense of community will likely only provoke backlash. Instead, individuals could choose to live in parts of a city with a heritage that suits them and not join mass movements toward gentrification. A standout example of this would be expatriate enclaves in developing nations. These communities are able to preserve some of their cultural traditions and are entirely the result of individuals choosing to live together with those who represent their values and interests. This could be replicated on a larger scale if city residents choose their homes more thoughtfully and are more respectful of the traditions of any given community.
In conclusion, the problems stemming from less involvement between neighbors affect the community at large and should be dealt with by those most impacted by the ramifications. In this way, some cultural integrity can be preserved in a globalized world.
Analysis
1. It is increasingly common in large urban areas for neighbors to interact less. 2. In my opinion, this results in a declining sense of community and the solutions must be individually motivated.
- Paraphrase the overall essay topic.
- Write a clear opinion. Read more about introductions here.
1. In most cities today, the lack of connection between neighbors has caused less culturally unique neighborhoods. 2. An illustrative counter-example to this would be famous neighborhoods such as Venice Beach in Los Angeles and Greenwich Village in New York City. 3. In the past, individuals living in these areas shared similar values and that led to a flourishing of a unique culture. 4. One result of such a sense of community was the “Beat Poets” of Greenwich. 5. Related to this is the fading distinctiveness of communities that have value for locals and tourists alike. 6. An individual living in a district in a major metropolis today feels little sentiment for its streets, buildings and other inhabitants and therefore derives nearly nothing in the way of a singular shared identity.
- Write a topic sentence with a clear main idea at the end.
- Explain your main idea.
- Develop it with specific examples.
- Keep developing it fully.
- Stay focused on the same main idea.
- The more detail, the better!
1. Remedies for the problems detailed above involve individual initiative. 2. Governments attempting to contrive a sense of community will likely only provoke backlash. 3. Instead, individuals could choose to live in parts of a city with a heritage that suits them and not join mass movements toward gentrification. 4. A standout example of this would be expatriate enclaves in developing nations. 5. These communities are able to preserve some of their cultural traditions and are entirely the result of individuals choosing to live together with those who represent their values and interests. 6. This could be replicated on a larger scale if city residents choose their homes more thoughtfully and are more respectful of the traditions of any given community.
- Write a new topic sentence with a new main idea at the end.
- Explain your new main idea.
- Include specific details and examples.
- Continue developing it…
- as fully as possible!
- Stating the results is a good way to develop your ideas.
1. In conclusion, the problems stemming from less involvement between neighbors affect the community at large and should be dealt with by those most impacted by the ramifications. 2. In this way, some cultural integrity can be preserved in a globalized world.
- Summarise your main ideas.
- Include a final thought. Read more about conclusions here.
Vocabulary
What do the words in bold below mean? Make some notes on paper to aid memory and then check below.
It is increasingly common in large urban areas for neighbors to interact less. In my opinion, this results in a declining sense of community and the solutions must be individually motivated.
In most cities today, the lack of connection between neighbors has caused less culturally unique neighborhoods. An illustrative counter-example to this would be famous neighborhoods such as Venice Beach in Los Angeles and Greenwich Village in New York City. In the past, individuals living in these areas shared similar values and that led to a flourishing of a unique culture. One result of such a sense of community was the “Beat Poets” of Greenwich. Related to this is the fading distinctiveness of communities that have value for locals and tourists alike. An individual living in a district in a major metropolis today feels little sentiment for its streets, buildings and other inhabitants and therefore derives nearly nothing in the way of a singular shared identity.
Remedies for the problems detailed above involve individual initiative. Governments attempting to contrive a sense of community will likely only provoke backlash. Instead, individuals could choose to live in parts of a city with a heritage that suits them and not join mass movements toward gentrification. A standout example of this would be expatriate enclaves in developing nations. These communities are able to preserve some of their cultural traditions and are entirely the result of individuals choosing to live together with those who represent their values and interests. This could be replicated on a larger scale if city residents choose their homes more thoughtfully and are more respectful of the traditions of any given community.
In conclusion, the problems stemming from less involvement between neighbors affect the community at large and should be dealt with by those most impacted by the ramifications. In this way, some cultural integrity can be preserved in a globalized world.
Answers
For extra practice, write an antonym (opposite word) on a piece of paper to help you remember the new vocabulary:
increasingly common more pervasive
urban areas cities
neighbors people who live next to each other
interact communicate with
results in causes
a declining sense of community less of a feeling of being neighbors
individually motivated people doing it themselves
lack not have
connection link
less culturally unique neighborhoods places all the same
illustrative counter-example good example showing the opposite
shared similar values have the same ideas/beliefs
led to causes
flourishing doing really well
unique culture distinctive lifestyles
sense of community feeling of a culture
“Beat Poets” a specific style of poetry from the 1950s
related to this is also part of this is
fading distinctiveness less unique
value importance
alike the same
district neighborhood
major metropolis large city
sentiment feeling
inhabitants residents
derives comes from
in the way of opposing
singular shared identity same cultural values
remedies fixes
detailed above described before
initiative motivation
contrive try too hard
provoke backlash cause a reaction
heritage tradition
suits makes sense
join mass movements become part of what many are doing
gentrification moving to take neighborhoods
expatriate enclaves immigrant areas
preserve keep the same
cultural traditions heritage
entirely totally
represent symbolize
interests what you value
replicated on a larger scale repeated in other places
thoughtfully carefully
traditions heritage
any given community a random place
stemming from coming from
involvement engagement
at large all of it
dealt with handled
ramifications implications
in this way through this method
cultural integrity pureness of a group of people
preserved kept the same
globalized world world becoming all the same
Pronunciation
Practice saying the vocabulary below and use this tip about Google voice search:
ɪnˈkriːsɪŋli ˈkɒmən |
ˈɜːbən ˈeəriəz |
ˈneɪbərz |
ˌɪntəˈrækt |
rɪˈzʌlts ɪn |
ə dɪˈklaɪnɪŋ sens əv kəˈmjuːnɪti |
ˌɪndɪˈvɪdʒʊəli ˈməʊtɪveɪtɪd |
læk |
kəˈnekʃn̩ |
les ˈkʌltʃərəli juːˈniːk ˈneɪbərˌhʊdz |
ˈɪləstrətɪv ˈkaʊntər ɪɡˌzɑːmpl̩ |
ʃeəd ˈsɪmələ ˈvæljuːz |
led tuː |
ˈflʌrɪʃɪŋ |
juːˈniːk ˈkʌltʃə |
sens əv kəˈmjuːnɪti |
biːt ˈpəʊɪts |
rɪˈleɪtɪd tu ðɪs ɪz |
ˈfeɪdɪŋ dɪˈstɪŋktɪvnɪs |
ˈvæljuː |
əˈlaɪk |
ˈdɪstrɪkt |
ˈmeɪdʒə məˈtrɒpəlɪs |
ˈsentɪmənt |
ɪnˈhæbɪtənts |
dɪˈraɪvz |
ɪn ðə ˈweɪ ɒv |
ˈsɪŋɡjʊlə ʃeəd aɪˈdentɪti |
ˈremədɪz |
ˈdiːteɪld əˈbʌv |
ɪˈnɪʃətɪv |
kənˈtraɪv |
prəˈvəʊk ˈbæklæʃ |
ˈherɪtɪdʒ |
suːts |
dʒɔɪn ˌmæs ˈmuːvmənts |
ˈdʒentrɪfaɪ |
eksˈpætrɪeɪt ˈenkleɪvz |
prɪˈzɜːv |
ˈkʌltʃərəl trəˈdɪʃn̩z |
ɪnˈtaɪəli |
ˌriːprɪˈzent |
ˈɪntrəsts |
ˈreplɪkeɪtɪd ˈɒn ə ˈlɑːdʒə skeɪl |
ˈθɔːtfəli |
trəˈdɪʃn̩z |
ˈeni ɡɪvn̩ kəˈmjuːnɪti |
ˈstemɪŋ frɒm |
ɪnˈvɒlvmənt |
ət lɑːdʒ |
delt wɪð |
ˌræmɪfɪˈkeɪʃn̩z |
ɪn ðɪs ˈweɪ |
ˈkʌltʃərəl ɪnˈteɡrɪti |
prɪˈzɜːvd |
ˈɡlobəˌlaɪzd wɜːld |
Vocabulary Practice
I recommend getting a pencil and piece of paper because that aids memory. Then write down the missing vocabulary from my sample answer in your notebook:
It is i________________________n in large u__________s for n_________s to i________t less. In my opinion, this r_____________________________________y and the solutions must be i____________________d.
In most cities today, the l_____k of c___________n between neighbors has caused l_____________________________________s. An i________________________________e to this would be famous neighborhoods such as Venice Beach in Los Angeles and Greenwich Village in New York City. In the past, individuals living in these areas s___________________s and that l_______o a f____________g of a u_______________e. One result of such a s____________________y was the “B______________s” of Greenwich. R________________s the f____________________s of communities that have v______e for locals and tourists a_____e. An individual living in a d________t in a m_____________________s today feels little s__________t for its streets, buildings and other i_____________s and therefore d___________s nearly nothing i______________f a s_____________________y.
R____________s for the problems d_____________e involve individual i_______________e. Governments attempting to c______________e a sense of community will likely only p________________h. Instead, individuals could choose to live in parts of a city with a h___________e that s______s them and not j_____________________s toward g_________________n. A standout example of this would be e____________________s in developing nations. These communities are able to p____________e some of their c__________________s and are e____________y the result of individuals choosing to live together with those who r____________t their values and i____________s. This could be r_________________________e if city residents choose their homes more t______________y and are more respectful of the t____________s of a_________________y.
In conclusion, the problems s_______________m less i______________t between neighbors affect the community a_________e and should be d_________h by those most impacted by the r__________________s. I____________y, some c_________________y can be p____________d in a g______________d.
Listening Practice
Learn more about this topic in the video below and practice with these activities:
Reading Practice
Read more about this topic and use these ideas to practice:
https://www.timeout.com/coolest-neighbourhoods-in-the-world
Speaking Practice
Practice with the following speaking questions from the real IELTS speaking exam:
Where you Live
My sample speaking for these questions is here.
- Where do you live at the moment?
- What do you like about your neighborhood?
- Are there any parks where you live?
Writing Practice
Practice with the same basic topic below and then check with my sample answer:
Some cities create housing for growing populations by building taller buildings while other cities have opted to build on wider areas of land.
Which solution is better?
Thanks for your essay Dave.
It is true that those in metropolises nowadays barely interact socially with others residing in the vicinity. This phenomenon may lead to a declining sense of community and individuals oblivious of their neighbors’ difficulties, and I am strongly convinced that governmental intervention is needed to counter this issue.
Two primary problems are attributable to the trend of urban citizens have little interaction with their neighbors. First, the truth is that individuals sharing the same neighborhood usually came together to exchange traditional values and customs in the past, which often results in the formation of a unique culture as well as a sense of community. The lack of connection between neighbors these days, however, is almost synonymous with the unavailability of a sense of togetherness within the community. Second, socializing less with neighbors means that individuals are unlikely to receive help from others. For example, when a family’s house accidentally is under fire, the neighbors may either appear indifferent to their suffering or help half-heartedly to extinguish the fire if they do not know the family.
Nevertheless, the aforementioned problems can be solved with the endeavors of the government. It is incumbent upon the authorities to launch campaigns or events facilitating the interaction between those sharing the same neighborhood. For example, social clubs or meetings between neighbors can be held weekly or monthly to encourage them to get to know each other better. Furthermore, the government coffers should be allocated more to the construction of public places such as parks or playgrounds where the public frequently visit. This may offer more opportunities to the masses to come out and mingle socially with their neighbors.
In conclusion, the deterioration of a sense of community and the indifference of individuals to neighbors’ difficulties are ascribed to the lack of contact with others living in the same neighborhood, and I am of the opinion that these issues can be combatted with governmental actions.
Well done, Mike!
Some paraphrases are a bit off like ‘residing in the vicinity’ and ‘oblivious’ – don’t quite fit. We also usually say can be ascribed – not are ascribed.
Keep it up!
This is what I wrote before I read your answer, and now I feel ashamed!
—
A huge population in large metropolitical cities doesn’t know their neighbors. This bright about social problems in the general public, though it can be solved by taking important and major steps.
People in large cities are centered around their work. Oftentimes, people are imprisoned in a fixed schedule, therefore, they have little to no time to have interactions with people except their co-workers. Over the times being in this situation, people become anxious and find it difficult to talk to others. In addition, they like to take rest on the weekends to get over the work pressure. Since there is no connection within their neighbors, it will be difficult for them to contact their neighbors in an emergency situation like accidents or burglaries.
However, there are a few simple steps that individuals and society can take to alleviate the aforementioned problems. Firstly, society or neighborhood people should arrange small gatherings like parties or games, which will bring residents together and open the space to interact with each other. For example, a quiz competition could be a good game for both people with children and others.
In addition, seeking assistance from a neighbor would also be helpful. For example, if the neighbor is an exceptional chef, one may ask him about some cooking tips; meanwhile access the contact details, as it could be handy in an emergency situation. Such small interactions build confidence and become pillars of good relationships.
Overall, the fast-paced lifestyle in large cities has created tiny acquaintances within the neighborhood. This problem could be addressed by hosting events within the community along with by breaking the ice individually.