The IELTS speaking section requires candidates to share their experience or viewpoints on different topics, such as “Describe an Interesting Neighbour”. Speaking on this topic becomes challenging because it requires candidates to go beyond mere appearance and descriptions. In addition, it allows you to share your personal story, which reflects human connection, cultural values, and observational abilities. However, to achieve this, you need to use the correct approach to structure your answers. Therefore, to help you, this blog includes 3 samples of cue cards on the topic “describe an interesting neighbour”. Read on to find out how to make your answers engaging to impress the test-taker by keeping them natural.
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The IELTS Cue Card is designed to assess an aspirant’s proficiency to speak coherently on a specific topic. During this section, candidates will receive a cue card with topic details and prompts that help them construct their answer. Additionally, they will have 1 minute of preparation time to structure their response. Prospects can use this time to note key points on paper, which will be provided to them by the examiner. After that, students will need to speak for 3 minutes without disruption.
Now that you have understood the IELTS Cue Card, let’s find out how to answer “Describe an Interesting Neighbour” effectively.
Aspirants should understand how to frame their response appropriately to secure an 8+ band in the IELTS exam without taking offline or online IELTS classes. Additionally, before answering, take the time to write down crucial details during preparation. Below are a few additional points that candidates should consider when responding to cue cards.
Moreover, based on the above topic, “Describe an Interesting Neighbour”, aspirants should start their answer with a concise introduction which provides the initial details of the topic and then respond to the questions which are as follows:
You can see the picture below to find how your IELTS cue card for the topic “Describe an Interesting Neighbour” will look like.
You can see the first sample of IELTS cue cards, which require candidates to describe an interesting neighbour by answering the previously mentioned questions.
Neighbours play a crucial role in enhancing your surroundings by providing social and emotional support. My parents work in a school, and since they both go to their workplace, I feel alone in my apartment. But all the loneliness vanished when I met the family who was living in the flat below. They were very welcoming and supportive. Additionally, their son was a few years older than I was, which helped me connect with him.
The most interesting neighbour for me is Rishabh, a musician who resides below my apartment. Also, sharing a wall with him feels like I have my personal singer who can organise new concerts every day to cheer me up.
It has been 7 years since I met Rishabh when I first moved into the apartment. I was sitting in my balcony when I first heard the pleasant sound of a flute being played outside his flat.
Rishabh is a ray of sunshine who always makes you feel optimistic and energetic, helping him create new music all day. Also, his passion for music makes him calm, which leads to a perfect blend of calm and creative spirit.
Rishabh is full of talent, and he still prefers to remain down-to-earth, which makes him truly interesting. He is always ready to communicate and willing to share his knowledge with others, creating a good atmosphere around him.
Having a neighbour like Rishabh reminds me that music can be the best therapy and make a better life. He is not just a neighbour but someone who knows how to create a vibrant atmosphere where you live.
Here is another sample which will help you comprehend how to structure your response in the IELTS speaking part 2. Take a glance:
Living alone in a different city can lead to a sense of isolation, but not when you are surrounded by someone like Divyaraj. He is younger and shares a great bond with me, which makes me feel like I am living with my family. From house parties to festivals, he ensures I can be a part of every function.
Divyaraj is my landlord’s child, and we live in the same apartment. I met him 3 years ago, when I first shifted to this new city. He is always willing and curious to help others.
I met Divyaraj about 3 years ago, when I moved to this rented apartment. From cleaning to managing my wardrobe, he was the first person to help me organise my room. After that, we started playing outdoor sports every evening, which helped us to become best of friends.
He is welcoming, friendly and has excellent humour that sets him apart from others. Also, he is a fabulous football player and very disciplined in his practice. Therefore, many people in society appreciate Divyaraj.
He is always willing to support others regardless of their age and identity; that is an impressive quality. Besides, he is passionate about outdoor sports and always ready to teach others about these games. These qualities help him connect with people and make him quite interesting.
In today’s busy environment, where people often avoid communicating with each other, having someone like him makes my life easier and more cheerful.
This sample for the IELTS speaking section topic “describe an interesting neighbour” perfectly depicts how to respond to the cue card questions.
A good neighbour is a fortune because they share both lows and highs of our lives. I live in a metropolitan city where life moves very fast, and we barely have time to talk to each other. But having Stuti as my neighbour has changed my perspective about big cities.
Stuti is one of the most interesting neighbours who lives next to my building. She is an intelligent and cultured person who likes to read literature. She is also an excellent cook and tries to learn different cuisines.
I got to know her when she moved to my society about six years ago and joined my tuition classes. We first interacted when Stuti asked me about my favourite subject. Her warm voice and welcoming gesture impressed me instantly.
She is a very knowledgeable, composed and serene person. She always prefers to stay in her own space. Stuti often discusses cultural practices, art, and how Indian cuisine has evolved.
Stuti have these rare qualities of treating people nicely. Her inclusive behaviour makes her truly interesting and special. Being an introvert, having someone like Stuti around me is precious, as she always treats me like her extended family.
Having a supportive and caring neighbour is a blessing, particularly in big cities. Good relations with people around us can alleviate a sense of isolation and create a positive environment.
Do you know that lexical resources cover 25% of the overall score in the IELTS speaking section? Yes. It indicates your proficiency in using diverse vocabulary with accuracy while responding to the questions. Therefore, the table below includes lexicons with their meaning to help you enrich your vocabulary knowledge.
| Word | Meaning |
|---|---|
| Optimistic | Expecting good things/ having a positive outlook |
| Willing | Ready to help or do something |
| Vibrant | Full of energy and life |
| Therapy | Treatment to cure or help a mental illness |
| Curious | Want to learn or know something |
| Humour | The amusing qualities of a person |
| Communicating/ Communicate | To exchange information or ideas with someone |
| Fortune | Power, which affects events in an individual’s life |
| Gesture | A movement of the head or hand which expresses something |
| Cuisine | Method of cooking a specific country’s dish |
| Precious | Something of great value |
| Alleviate | To make something less severe |
Students will be required to answer follow-up questions after completing the cue card round in the IELTS speaking part 2. Let’s see a few questions an examiner can ask to assess your communication proficiency.
1. Do You Think Good Neighbours Are Important? Why?
Yes, having good neighbours is very important, as they assist in creating a happier, peaceful, and calm environment. They provide mutual support and lead to a sense of inclusion, which leads to a strong community. Moreover, they help each other during emergencies by providing practical assistance.
2. Do You Feel People in Small Villages and Those in the Cities Share Different Relationships with Their Neighbours?
Yes, people residing in small villages have different relations with neighbours from those residing in cities. It is usually because people who live in villages have smaller populations, traditional values, and shared environments, which help them stay connected with others. While cities foster transient and impersonal relationships because of their busy schedule.
3. Is It Important to Stay Connected with Your Neighbours?
Yes, I personally feel staying connected with neighbours can enhance our mental health and offer benefits like mutual assistance. Further, having a strong link with them can increase security and a sense of safety.
4. What Are a Few Qualities of a Good Neighbour?
A good neighbour should have kindness and respect towards others who are living in their society. Further, they should know how to maintain cleanliness around their property and avoid creating disturbances.
Now that you have understood the question types and how to respond effectively, we have mentioned a few tips to help you ace the IELTS speaking section. Read on!
In essence, many students may struggle to answer the IELTS speaking part 2 due to poor communication and unclear responses. Also, prospects should end up making silly errors such as memorising answers, neglecting grammar, and poor pronunciation. Candidates can avoid these common errors with regular practice and expert guidance to ace their exam. Hence, Gradding.com assists students seeking expert advice while preparing for the IELTS. Moreover, they offer online tools such as an IELTS band score calculator, enabling aspirants to track their performance. If you are also struggling with the cue card section, then feel free to contact us.
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