Published on by

IELTS Cue Card Sample Question – Describe a Neighbor You Like 

One of the areas in which you must put effort when preparing and studying for the IELTS test is the ‘cue card’ component, which is the second section of the IELTS Speaking Test. Because it only lasts two minutes, you must make the most of your time. 

We want to be as helpful as possible, so we have put together some sample responses for the cue card topic ‘Describe a Neighbor You Like.’ Continue reading.


What is the IELTS Cue Card Question?

The topic card supplied to you at the start of IELTS Speaking Part 2 is referred to as a ‘cue card.’ It is a piece of paper with your topic written on it. 

Because you only have a minute to prepare, you must begin taking notes the moment you receive the cue card, using the paper and pencil provided.

You have no choice but to speak about the topic, regardless of how much or how little you know about it.

The examiner will direct you to begin your speech after the 60-second preparation period, and you must use as much of the two-minute time limit as possible.

The examiner will then ask you follow-up questions on your speech, to which you will have to respond.


How to Answer this Specific Question “Describe a Neighbor You Like”?

Topic / Question

Describe a Neighbor You Like

Guidelines to answer this question:

You should say:

  • Who this neighbor is
  • How long you have known him/her
  • From where he/she is 

and explain why you like this neighbor.  


  • Think of one of your neighbors with whom you have a good relationship with. Since you may not have a lot of options, you can make up a ‘fake’ neighbor. The examiner will not know. 
  • As soon as you have a person in mind, begin taking notes. Any neighbor you have had good interactions with is okay. Make sure you will be able to share interesting stories about this neighbor.  
  • Start writing down notes about this neighbor and include them when you met. Do not forget to mention how long you have been neighbors and how your friendship started.
  • Discuss also the occasions where you can get together with this neighbor. Write the qualities that make him/her a good neighbor. Do not write sentences, just keywords, and phrases. 
  • Utilize a wide range of words and phrases to make your speech more appealing to the examiner.
  • Employ complex grammar structures too. Bear in mind that grammar and vocabulary are part of the criteria on how your marks in this part of the test are evaluated. 
  • When you take notes, make it a point that you understand your handwriting, or else you might get lost along the way. Bear in mind that what you write on the paper will not be marked by the examiner. 
  • You may take a look at your notes once in a while. It is acceptable. You do not lose marks by looking at your notes.

Sample Responses for “Describe a Neighbor You Like”

Sample Response 1: 

“I reside in a tiny compound with a few other neighbors, but Max is the most fascinating; he is very nice and useful, always prepared to help anyone out of any difficult problem at home. He is a mid-thirties single electrical engineer who is mature and responsible.

He was very nice and hospitable when I first met him when I moved in two years ago; he even volunteered to help me clean up my new apartment and replace the lights and a faulty kitchen tap for me. I knew I wouldn’t be able to handle this. I was ecstatic since this was someone I had only recently met, and his friendliness was amazing. He fascinates me because he is humble, exceptional, and soft-spoken. 

Max was not left out when I was planning my birthday party last month; as usual, he handled almost every aspect of the day; he made arrangements with the caterer in charge of food and drinks; I was awestruck when the caterer informed me that he had already settled the bills for food and drinks; no one had ever done that for me, and it meant a lot to me that a neighbor could go to such lengths to make me happy. Fred, another of my neighbors, subsequently told me that Max does the same thing for everyone on their birthdays, except when he is out of town.”

Follow-up Question 1:

Do you think neighbors are important? 

Response:

“Yes, the importance of neighbors cannot be overstated. I agree that there is no such thing as an island. You may not be best friends with your neighbors, but in an emergency, you will definitely need them.”


Follow-up Question 2:

How do you believe people’s relationships with their neighbors have changed now that most people watch a lot of TV?

Response:

“A television can be found in almost every home. However, this is the twenty-first century, and times are changing; people now prefer to stay indoors, spend time with their families, and watch television programs. They do not make time to interact with their neighbors unless it is absolutely necessary. They’ll say it keeps the compound calm and prevents unneeded squabbles and turmoil. To some extent, this is correct.”


Sample Response 2:

“Well, I know a lot of people in my neighborhood. Some hold similar beliefs to mine, while others hold ideas that are diametrically opposed to mine. Mr. Mills, who lives next door to me, is the subject of this discussion. He has a wonderful personality. This guy has a lot of qualities that I admire. I admire his attributes, such as his willingness to serve others.

He is currently employed as a bank manager in a bank. Despite receiving a large salary, he never brags about his earnings. He, on the other hand, enjoys assisting the poor, whether through monetary assistance or by meeting their other fundamental requirements. So I’m not sure how a wealthy person can contribute a portion of their earnings to the poor, especially when individuals nowadays don’t give a single penny to someone they know well.

He’s also founded a non-profit organization called ‘We People’. Initially, he was alone, but as the number of people grew, he was joined by a large number of individuals. So, during the first half of the day, he is focused on his business, but in the evening, he enjoys raising awareness about the problems of the poor. He also enjoys swimming and a variety of other sports. I’m surprised to see that he’s kept himself in such good shape. Nobody can tell his age because he doesn’t appear to be any older than he is.

I believe it is the person’s passion that has made him so lively. I find the individual intriguing because when he speaks to an older person, he speaks differently, and when he speaks to children, he acts like a child. As a result, he has a flexible personality. He also assists me in a variety of ways.

One time, I got depressed, and he inspired me at the moment and assisted me in developing a long-term strategy. As a result, his positive attitude in the face of adversity motivates me even more, and no one can escape his powerful personality. His positivism and active energy, as well as his clear vision, are admired by all. In his transactions, he is honest. Overall, these are the things that make him likable by a lot of people.” 


Follow-up Question 1:

What do you think are the qualities of a good neighbor?

Response: 

“For me, a good neighbor should be sensitive, respectful, and helpful. They should be respectful of the privacy of the people around them, but at the same time, they should be sensitive enough in case someone in the neighborhood needs help. Above all, a neighbor should be there for you when you need them.” 


Follow-up Question 2: 

What kind of neighbor do you think a child should have?

Response:

“A good neighbor for a child is one who can serve as both a mentor and a friend to the child. He must constantly think twice before guiding the child because any misunderstanding or indecisiveness on his part can lead to the child being misled. As a result, one must feel compassion for the child and try to comprehend his situation.”




Vocabulary Tips for Answering the Question “Describe a Neighbor You Like”:

Here are some words in the sample responses for the cue card topic Describe a neighbor you like.’ with their meanings and sample sentences for your reference. 

WordPart of SpeechDefinitionExample Usage of the
Word in a Sentence
adversity nounMisfortune, difficulties“Friendship is tested in times of adversity.” 
awestruck adjectiveAwe-inspiring or exposing awe“You can tell she was awestruck just by the look on her face.” 
brag verbTo express something in a boastful manner“Despite her achievements, he doesn’t like to brag.”
compound nounA section of land that is enclosed and used for a specific purpose“We used to live in an adjacent compound when we were young.” 
depressed adjectiveIn a general condition of unhappiness or melancholy“He became depressed after his dog died.”
ecstatic adjectiveOverwhelming delight or happy exhilaration is a mood or expression“The audience gave an ecstatic reaction to his speech.”
exceptional adjectiveUnusual, not typical“Alex is an exceptional student.” 
fascinating adjectiveExtremely interesting“Dubai is a fascinating city with vibrant and marvelous buildings.”
faulty adjectiveNot working in good condition“The money that will be collected will be used to fix the faulty air conditioning unit.”
flexible adjectiveA person willing and able to adjust in order to adapt to new situations“Are policymakers flexible to accept a better solution if one is offered?”
fundamental adjectiveOf major importance“All of the fundamental ideals of democracy are enshrined in our constitution.”
hospitable adjectiveWelcoming and friendly towards guests“The locals were extremely hospitable towards anyone passing by.”
intriguing adjectiveInteresting, stimulating one’s curiosity or interest“The fiasco made the whole event all the more intriguing.”
neighbor nounA person who lives close to or next door to the speaker or the person mentioned“Our new neighbors moved in a few days ago, and we’ve immediately become friends.”
overstate verbTo express strongly, exaggerate “Do not overstate your statements because no one will believe you if you do.”
squabble nounA loud dispute about something petty or insignificant“He enjoys squabbling with others over trivial topics.”
strategy nounA technique or program aimed at achieving a broad or overarching goal“He hasn’t come up with a comprehensive strategy for modernizing the service.”
subsequently adverbFollowing the occurrence of a specific event; following the occurrence of a specific event“The books were subsequently translated into 45 languages.” 
turmoil nounA state of extreme disarray, perplexity, or ambiguity“His mental state had been thrown into turmoil.”
volunteer verbTo freely offer to do something“The group has volunteered to donate a quarter of their salary this month to the less fortunate.”

Additional Reading — IELTS Speaking Cue Card Questions


Author

A group of language enthusiasts with a shared commitment to helping you succeed in your English language journey. With years of experience, relevant certifications, and a deep love for languages, we're here to provide you with the support and resources you need to excel in exams like IELTS, TOEFL, OET, Duolingo and many others. We take pride in helping individuals like you achieve their language goals.