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.
- Paraphrase the overall essay topic.
- 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.
- Write a topic sentence with a clear main idea at the end.
- Explain your main idea.
- Develop it with specific or hypothetical examples.
- 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.
- Write a new topic sentence with a new main idea at the end.
- Explain your new main idea.
- Include specific details and examples.
- Add as much information as you can and make sure it links logically.
- Keep adding in the result to develop your ideas more.
- 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.
- 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.
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________________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
Reading Practice
Speaking Practice
Interacting with Others
- Do you like talking to strangers?
- What was the last conversation you had?
- Do you discuss politics with your friends?
- Are families in your country very talkative?
Writing Practice
Today, many people do not know their neighbors in large cities.
What problems does this cause?
What can be done about this?
Nice
Thanks Richard!
Does this essay answers the first part of question ‘What problems’? if I understand the question correctly?
Oh thanks Ash, I wrote the question down wrong actually – updated!
How to find out explanation and examples for essay?
What do you mean Annie?
Nowadays, lots of individuals are not familiar with their neighbors. Personally, I believe this has happened due to economic conditions and in order to solve this problem, the government should help people to overcome their financial difficulties.
These days, in different parts of the world, economic status has affected personal interactions with other people. citizens have to work a huge amount of time- a high proportion of them have two jobs- to afford their bare necessities. they usually get back home quite late and are often tired and sometimes overwhelmed. they often grab a snack and go to bed. consequently, they do not have enough time to get familiar with other people. According to a recent study in Iran, a significant proportion of respondents to a questionnaire related to the quality of life answered that they do not have any interactions with their neighbors and know them just by sight. this phenomenon was higher in working-class people with lower wages in comparison with the high society with more than average salaries.
So, people with higher incomes can communicate much more with their neighbors. I feel, if government ameliorates the economic condition, citizens will not have to spend too much time at work. people who get back home earlier with good money in their pockets, often are in a better mood to meet up with other people, especially neighbors. something that was more prevalent in the past. for example, Iranian Central Bank statistics showed that after the Iran- Iraq war, the level of happiness rose exponentially by flourishing economic status. I believe, this would be rational to think, happier people have better communication with other people.
To sum up, it seems that financial problem has affected people’s interaction with their neighbors. the status official can tackle this problem by growing economy