IELTS Speaking Part 2 · People
Describe a neighbour you know well
Describe a neighbour you know well
You should say:
- who this person is
- how long you have known them
- how often you see them
and explain how you feel about having this person as your neighbour
How to plan your answer
Use your 1 minute to jot down key words for each point, not full sentences.
- 1
who this person is
Who: Mrs. Gable, a friendly retired music teacher living right next door.
- 2
how long you have known them
How long: Known her for nearly eight years since moving into my apartment.
- 3
how often you see them
How often: See her almost daily, usually exchanging quick greetings near mailboxes.
- 4
and explain how you feel about having this person as your neighbour
Feeling/Closing: Extremely grateful for her warm presence, local advice, and neighborly care.
Sample answer
about 247 words · 2 minutesI would like to talk about my next-door neighbour, Mrs. Gable, who is a retired high school music teacher in her early seventies. She lives alone in the apartment right across the hallway from mine. I have known her for nearly eight years now, ever since I first moved into my current apartment building. When I was unpacking my boxes on my very first day, she actually popped by to welcome me with a plate of homemade biscuits, which made a wonderful first impression and helped me settle in immediately. Because we share the same floor, I see her almost on a daily basis. We frequently bump into each other in the lobby, near the mailboxes, or at the local supermarket down the street. Our interactions are usually brief but warm; we often chat for a few minutes about the weather, our week, or neighborhood news. Occasionally, she invites me over for a cup of tea on the weekend. As for how I feel about having her as a neighbour, I feel incredibly lucky. In modern city life, people often do not even know who lives next to them, so having someone so considerate and approachable nearby is a real blessing. She keeps an eye on my place when I am away on vacation, and I happily help her carry heavy groceries upstairs. Ultimately, having Mrs. Gable as my neighbour gives me a comforting sense of community and security that makes my apartment truly feel like home.
A teaching example, not a script to memorise. Say it in your own words.
Useful phrases
pop by
My sister said she might pop by later this afternoon for coffee.
on a daily basis
I try to practice speaking English on a daily basis to stay confident.
bump into each other
We always bump into each other at the local bakery on Sunday mornings.
keep an eye on
Could you please keep an eye on my luggage while I buy a ticket?
a sense of community
Living in a close-knit neighborhood gives residents a strong sense of community.
Common mistakes
I know her since eight years.
I have known her for eight years.
Use present perfect with 'for' to describe continuous duration up to now.
She is a neighborly person who living near me.
She is a neighborly person who lives near me.
Relative clauses require a conjugated verb rather than just a present participle.
I see her everyday in the morning.
I see her every day in the morning.
'Everyday' is an adjective, whereas 'every day' is a two-word adverbial time phrase.
Tips for a higher band
- Use natural phrasal verbs and collocations like 'pop by' or 'keep an eye on' to show vocabulary range.
- Vary your sentence structure by blending personal memories with general commentary on modern neighborhood life.
- Use natural spoken discourse markers such as 'actually', 'as for', and 'ultimately' to maintain smooth flow.
Part 3 follow-up questions
After Part 2 the examiner may ask deeper questions on the same theme.
- How have relationships between neighbours changed in big cities over recent decades?
- What can local communities do to encourage people to get to know their neighbours better?
- Do you think it is better to live close to relatives or to have friendly neighbours nearby?
Now try this cue card
1 minute to prepare, up to 2 minutes to speak, then a band estimate and tips for each criterion.
Practice estimate, not an official IELTS score.