Speaking Part 2 · PeopleIn the May–Aug 2026 forecast
Describe a Neighbour You Know
In short
“Describe a Neighbour You Know” is a common IELTS Speaking Part 2 cue card. You get 1 minute to prepare and should speak for 1–2 minutes, covering all four points below. This page gives you a Band 9 model answer, an idea map so you can make it your own, the Part 3 follow-up questions with answers, and the vocabulary examiners reward.
The task card
Describe a Neighbour You Know. You should say:
- •Who this neighbour is
- •How long you have known them
- •What kind of person they are
- •And explain how you get along with them
Band 9 model answer
The neighbour I'd like to talk about is an older gentleman we all just call Mr. Deshmukh, who lives two doors down from my family. He's probably in his mid-seventies now, and to be honest he's the kind of neighbour everyone wishes they had — the sort who notices if your car's been parked oddly or if the post is piling up. He sprang to mind straight away because he's such a fixture on our street.
I've known him for as long as I can remember, really — well over twenty years. His family moved in when I was still a small child, so I basically grew up seeing him potter about in his front garden. Back then I didn't pay him much attention, but as I got older we started chatting more and more, and now I'd say we're genuinely fond of each other, despite the age gap.
In terms of what he's like, I'd describe him as warm but quite private, if that makes sense. He's not one to pry into your business, yet he's always there the moment you need a hand. He used to be an engineer, I think, so he's endlessly practical — there's nothing he can't fix, whether it's a leaking tap or a puncture on a bike. He's also incredibly green-fingered — his garden is the envy of the whole road, full of roses and these enormous tomatoes he insists on giving away every summer.
The moment that really sums him up happened a couple of winters ago, when there was a massive power cut across our area that lasted the best part of a day. My parents were away, and I was at home on my own with no heating and a phone that was about to die. Mr. Deshmukh knocked on the door, completely unprompted, with a flask of hot tea, a couple of candles and one of those old camping stoves. He just said, 'You shouldn't be sitting in the cold, come round if it gets worse.' It was such a small thing, but it stuck with me, because he didn't have to do any of that.
As for how we get along, it's very easygoing — we'll have a natter over the fence about the weather or the cricket, and I'll help him carry his shopping in now and then. I always make a point of asking after his health, because he lives alone now, and I think those small check-ins matter more than people realise. There's a real give and take to it, which is what makes a good neighbour relationship work.
So all in all, he's far more than just the man next door — he's become a sort of honorary grandfather figure, and I count myself lucky to have him nearby. It's taught me that the best neighbours aren't necessarily the ones you see the most, but the ones who show up when it counts.
Make it your own: three angles
An older neighbour
Lets you use lots of past tenses and warm evaluative language about how the relationship grew over the years.
A helpful neighbour
Easy to anchor with one concrete anecdote of a time they helped, which is exactly what examiners reward.
A neighbour from a different generation or culture
Opens up rich Part 3 comparisons about community and how neighbourly ties are changing.
What the examiner is listening for
Cover all four bullets but spend most of your long turn on the relationship — the 'how you get along' bullet is where band 9 candidates shine. Anchor it in one specific story rather than listing qualities, and deliberately mix past and present tenses to show range.
Part 1 warm-up questions
- Do you know your neighbours well?
- Is it important to have good neighbours?
- Do people in your country usually help their neighbours?
- Would you prefer quiet neighbours or friendly ones?
Part 3 follow-up questions & answers
How have relationships between neighbours changed over the years?
I think they've become noticeably more distant, at least in cities. A generation ago people would pop in for tea unannounced, whereas now many of us barely know the names of the people next door. I'd put it down to longer working hours and the fact that we get our sense of community online instead.
Do you think people in the countryside are friendlier with their neighbours than people in cities?
Generally, yes. In smaller villages you tend to rely on the same handful of people, so bonds form naturally out of necessity. In a big city you can live somewhere for years and stay completely anonymous, partly because people move house so often that it's not worth the effort of getting attached.
What can be done to encourage a stronger sense of community in a neighbourhood?
Shared spaces make an enormous difference — things like community gardens, local markets or a decent park give people a reason to bump into one another. I also think small events, like a street party once a year, break the ice better than any official scheme, because they feel spontaneous rather than forced.
Why do some people prefer not to get to know their neighbours?
Some people are simply very private and value their independence, which is completely fair enough. Others worry that being too friendly creates obligations they can't keep, or that a small disagreement could turn awkward when you have to see that person every single day.
Is it a neighbour's responsibility to help in an emergency?
I'd say it's a moral responsibility rather than a legal one. When something goes seriously wrong, your neighbours are often the closest people to hand, so a bit of mutual support just makes sense. That said, you can't force anyone — it really comes down to basic human decency.
What kinds of problems can arise between neighbours?
Noise is probably the classic one — loud music or a barking dog can sour a relationship very quickly. Beyond that, there are disputes over boundaries, parking spaces and shared walls. Most of these are minor, but because you're stuck living side by side, small irritations can fester if nobody addresses them politely.
Are older or younger people generally better neighbours, in your view?
I don't think age is really the deciding factor; it's more about attitude. Older neighbours often have more time and a stronger sense of community, whereas younger ones might be quicker to lend a hand with something practical. Ideally a street has a mix, so everyone brings something different.
Useful vocabulary
| Word / phrase | Meaning |
|---|---|
| a fixture | someone or something that is always present in a particular place |
| green-fingered | naturally skilled at gardening and growing plants |
| to potter about | to spend time doing small, pleasant, unhurried tasks |
| to have a natter | to have a relaxed, friendly chat |
| give and take | a mutual willingness to compromise and share for the sake of a relationship |
| unprompted | done willingly, without being asked or reminded |
| to keep oneself to oneself | to stay private and avoid socialising much |
| to show up when it counts | to be present and supportive at the moments that really matter |
| the envy of the street | so good that everyone nearby wishes they had it |
| honorary (grandfather) | treated as if holding a title, out of affection or respect, without the formal ties |
More cue cards
Describe a Time You Helped Someone
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