This is my IELTS writing task 2 sample answer essay on the topic of neighbors from the real IELTS exam.

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IELTS Essay: Neighbors

Today, many people do not know their neighbors.

Why is this?

What can be done about this?

In recent years, it has become increasingly common for individuals to be less connected with their immediate neighbors. In my opinion, this is largely a result of a more insular society and can be somewhat alleviated through initiatives that encourage more community interaction.

The main reason that many residents today do not often speak with their neighbors is that the world is more physically isolated. In past generations, people were more in the habit of going outside and occupying their time by talking with those living nearby. Today, the rise of technology allows the average person to do a variety of activities online including talking with friends, watching movies, playing computer games, and listening to music. These habits now occupy the vast majority of a person’s time and there is no longer a need to interact with one’s neighbor out of boredom or a feeling of connection.

This modern tendency can be countered by more communal activities. Since there is no reversing technological advancement, it must be countered through proactive measures. An example of this would be a local government organizing a festival or musical performance in a park. Neighbors who meet at such events are likely to form connections and thereafter remain in contact as either casual acquaintances or actual friends. If governments are unwilling to undertake such initiatives, then local citizens can also organize various events. The result over time will be a gradual thawing of relations between neighbors.

In conclusion, the way people live today leads to less interaction with one’s neighbors and this phenomenon can be mitigated with more community events. If nothing is done, society will only become more fractured and alienating.

Analysis

1. In recent years, it has become increasingly common for individuals to be less connected with their immediate neighbors. 2. In my opinion, this is largely a result of a more insular society and can be somewhat alleviated through initiatives that encourage more community interaction.

1. Paraphrase the overall essay topic.
2. Write a clear opinion. Read more about introductions here.

1. The main reason that many residents today do not often speak with their neighbors is that the world is more physically isolated. 2. In past generations, people were more in the habit of going outside and occupying their time by talking with those living nearby. 3. Today, the rise of technology allows the average person to do a variety of activities online including talking with friends, watching movies, playing computer games, and listening to music. 4. These habits now occupy the vast majority of a person’s time and there is no longer a need to interact with one’s neighbor out of boredom or a feeling of connection.

1. Write a topic sentence with a clear main idea at the end.
2. Explain your main idea.
3. Develop it with specific or hypothetical examples.
4. Keep developing it fully.

1. This modern tendency can be countered by more communal activities. 2. Since there is no reversing technological advancement, it must be countered through proactive measures. 3. An example of this would be a local government organizing a festival or musical performance in a park. 4. Neighbors who meet at such events are likely to form connections and thereafter remain in contact as either casual acquaintances or actual friends. 5. If governments are unwilling to undertake such initiatives, then local citizens can also organize various events. 6. The result over time will be a gradual thawing of relations between neighbors.

1. Write a new topic sentence with a new main idea at the end.
2. Explain your new main idea.
3. Include specific details and examples.
4. Add as much information as you can and make sure it links logically.
5. Keep adding in the result to develop your ideas more.
6. Finish the paragraph strong.

1. In conclusion, the way people live today leads to less interaction with one’s neighbors and this phenomenon can be mitigated with more community events. 2. If nothing is done, society will only become more fractured and alienating.

1. Summarise your main ideas.
2. 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.

In recent years, it has become increasingly common for individuals to be less connected with their immediate neighbors. In my opinion, this is largely a result of a more insular society and can be somewhat alleviated through initiatives that encourage more community interaction.

The main reason that many residents today do not often speak with their neighbors is that the world is more physically isolated. In past generations, people were more in the habit of going outside and occupying their time by talking with those living nearby. Today, the rise of technology allows the average person to do a variety of activities online including talking with friends, watching movies, playing computer games, and listening to music. These habits now occupy the vast majority of a person’s time and there is no longer a need to interact with one’s neighbor out of boredom or a feeling of connection.

This modern tendency can be countered by more communal activities. Since there is no reversing technological advancement, it must be countered through proactive measures. An example of this would be a local government organizing a festival or musical performance in a park. Neighbors who meet at such events are likely to form connections and thereafter remain in contact as either casual acquaintances or actual friends. If governments are unwilling to undertake such initiatives, then local citizens can also organize various events. The result over time will be a gradual thawing of relations between neighbors.

In conclusion, the way people live today leads to less interaction with one’s neighbors and this phenomenon can be mitigated with more community events. If nothing is done, society will only become more fractured and alienating.

Answers

For extra practice, write an antonym (opposite word) on a piece of paper to help you remember the new vocabulary:

In recent years recently

it has become increasingly common for it happens more and more

less connected with their immediate neighbors not as close with the people living next to them

largely a result of mostly caused by

more insular society people being alone

somewhat alleviated through initiatives that encourage more community interaction fixed a bit by measures like helping people meet up in the neighborhood

The main reason that the cause of this is

physically isolated alone

In past generations earlier

in the habit of going outside usually go outdoors

nearby next to there

the average person to a normal resident

variety of activities online many types of things you do on a computer

occupy the vast majority of take up most of

no longer a need to interact with don’t have to talk to

out of boredom feeling tedious

a feeling of connection linked together

This modern tendency can be countered by this new trend can be fixed by

communal activities doing things together with people

no reversing technological advancement not turning back the use of tech

countered through proactive measures fixed by strong counter-actions

An example of this would be one instance of this would be

local government organizing a festival or musical performance in a park authorities can put on shows

form connections have relationships

thereafter remain in contact as either casual acquaintances or actual friends thus stay together as friends

unwilling don’t want to do

undertake do

local citizens can also organize various events residents can do it themselves

The result over time will be a gradual thawing of relations between neighbors what happens will be people getting closer slowly

leads to less interaction with one’s neighbors causes people to communicate less

phenomenon circumstance

mitigated hindered

community events things going on in your neighborhood

fractured disconnected

alienating alone

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:

I________________s, i_______________________________________________r individuals to be l___________________________________________________s. In my opinion, this is l___________________f a m__________________________y and can be s___________________________________________________________________n.

T_______________________t many residents today do not often speak with their neighbors is that the world is more p____________________d. I_____________________s, people were more i____________________e and occupying their time by talking with those living n______y. Today, the rise of technology allows t____________________o do a v________________________e including talking with friends, watching movies, playing computer games, and listening to music. These habits now o________________________f a person’s time and there is n__________________________h one’s neighbor o______________m or a________________________n.

T_____________________________y more c_____________________s. Since there is n________________________________t, it must be c_______________________________s. A________________________e a l____________________________________________________k. Neighbors who meet at such events are likely to f______________________________s and t___________________________________________________________________________s. If governments are u_________g to u_______e such initiatives, then l___________________________________________s. T_______________________________________________________________________________________________s.

In conclusion, the way people live today l___________________________________________s and this p_____________n can be m_________d with more c________________s. If nothing is done, society will only become more f__________d and a_________g.

Listening Practice

Learn more about this topic by watching from YouTube below and practice with these activities:

Reading Practice

Read more about this topic and use these ideas to practice:

15 Heartwarming Stories About Good Neighbors

Speaking Practice

Practice with the following speaking questions from the real IELTS speaking exam:

Interacting with Others

1. Do you like talking to strangers?
2. What was the last conversation you had?
3. Do you discuss politics with your friends?
4. Are families in your country very talkative?

Writing Practice

Practice with the related IELTS essay topics below:

Today, many people do not know their neighbors in large cities.

What problems does this cause?

What can be done about this?

IELTS Essay: Neighbors in Large Cities