TOEFL, iBT, Independent Writing, most important qualities of a good neighbor / spending most of your time alone or with friends - rewrite -

Writing Topic　１

What do you think are the most important qualities of a good neighbor? Support your essay with specific examples and details.

Let’s Think

The questions of the same type as today’s topic are as follows:

♦What are the important qualities of a good son or daughter?

♦What are some important qualities of a good supervisor (boss)?

♦We all work or will work in our jobs with many different kinds of people. In your opinion, what are some important characteristics of a co-worker (someone you work closely with)?

The common denominators of the answers to these questions are words to express good human qualities such as trustworthy or humane. The differences between the questions are the social statuses. Sons and daughters belong to their parents and have bonds with them based on love and life. The relationships of supervisors and their subordinates and those of co-workers are based mainly on work. The relationships of neighbors are based on community life. Then neighbors might be those whose relationships to you are between those of your families and coworkers. What are the things that you expect in your neighbor to live a good community life? Have you ever had worst neighbors? What were they like? How did you wish they were?

☆Sample short response:

I think one of the most important qualities of a good neighbor is tolerance.

because modern society does not allow one to live next to those who are like oneself.

For example, the number of Indians has been increasing rapidly in my hometown in Tokyo over the past five years. Indian IT specialists are in high demand and those who come to work in my country bring their families and customs with them. We sometimes find differences in such things as how to take out garbage. Through some experiences with these new neighbors concerning these matters, I have learned that although communication skills and rules can help prevent differences from developing into conflicts, we need to be open-minded first to communicate and make consensus well. We need to know some of our rules might make no sense to some people just as theirs do not to us. We need to have a warm heart and need to be ready to accept fundamentally everything about our neighbors before we start talking and applying rules.

☆Your short response:

I think one of the most important qualities of a good neighbor is …

because …

For example,

ideas and Expressions

kind, gentle

sympathetic, humane

tolerant, open-minded

frank, open, laidback

thoughtful, considerate

polite, courteous

honest, sincere, reliable

not selfish, mature

have common sense

clean, neat, tidy

humble, reserved, quiet

friendly, outgoing, talkative

☆Essay for Ideas and Expressions

(Barron’s Writing for the TOEFL iBT, pp.252-253)

---

Writing Topic　2

Some people prefer to spend most of their time alone. Others like to be with friends most of the time. Do you prefer to spend your time alone or with friends? Use specific reasons to support your answer.

Let’s Think

This question is about your preference. Preferences seem too obvious to explain while they are often difficult to understand to others, especially those who do not know you well. This is probably mainly because preference is personal. Without background information, things become difficult to understand. The raters of your essay do not know you at all, so it might be better to provide as much background information related to your preference as possible to satisfy them, to get good scores.

♦Sample Essay Structure Notes

【Introduction = Outline】 To be honest, I prefer to be alone most of the time.

【Point 1】My hobby is reading, jogging, and weight-lifting.

【Point 2】Although I have never refused to join a party, I do not care for light and easy relationships.

【Point 3 / Counterargument-treatment】 I am not a loner. I have a few good friends, and we just do not always hang around. When we meet, we have a very good time discussing many things.

【Conclusion = Wrap-up】 I like to spend quality time whether I am alone or with others.

♦Your Sample Essay Structure

【Introduction = Outline】

【Point 1】

【Point 2】

【Point 3 / Counterargument-treatment】

【Conclusion = Wrap-up】

Paragraph Development

Paragraph development is a key to giving sufficient background information. If a paragraph has only one sentence or two, it lacks some essential sentences such as supporting details (background information). Although you do not always have to write more than one sentences in a paragraph, adding sentences to help convey your idea more effectively would be a good idea. A sample of a paragraph development is as follows:

【Main Idea of the Paragraph】   A sentence which represents the paragraph briefly

【Explanation of Main Idea】       A sentence which shows what you mean by the main idea

【Supporting Detail - in general】              A sentence which introduces the following example

【Supporting Detail - specific】     A sentence which provides a specific example

【Follow up / Counterargument-treatment】A sentence making up for some lacking information.

【Conclusion of the Paragraph】 A sentence which wraps up the paragraph

                                            

Sample paragraph development:

【Main Idea of the paragraph】    Spending time with friends is good for my mind.

【Explanation of Main Idea】       Interaction with my friends makes my mind work properly.

【Supporting Detail - in general】              When I am depressed or restless, I go out to see my friends.

【Supporting Detail - specific】     As I spend time with them, chatting, watching movies, or playing games, I gradually regain my confidence and energy.

【Follow up / Counterargument-treatment】It does not matter whether I share my problems with my friends or not. Just being with them does the trick.

【Conclusion of the Paragraph】 Friendship helps keep my mind healthy.

☆Your test paragraph development:

【Main Idea of the Paragraph】

【Explanation of Main Idea】

【Supporting Detail - in general

【Supporting Detail - specific】

【Follow up / Counterargument-treatment】

【Conclusion of the Paragraph】

Essay for Ideas and Expressions

(Barron’s Writing for the TOEFL iBT, p.308)

---