TOEFL, iBT, Independent Writing, What do you think are the most important qualities of a good neighbor? / Do you prefer to spend your time alone or with friends? - rewrites -

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 nice or reliable. The differences between the questions are the social statuses. Sons and daughters belong to their parents and have relationships 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?

☆Essay for Ideas and Expressions

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

There are several qualities that a good neighbor has. If you have a good neighbor, you are a lucky person. You have someone who is respectful of your property, who is helpful with the little day-to-day problems that arise, and who is supportive in times of crisis.

A good neighbor respects your property. This means she asks for your permission before doing something that may affect you. She doesn’t plant a huge tree between your houses without asking you how you feel about it. If she wants to put up a fence, she tells you about her plans first.

A good neighbor is willing to lend a hand when you need a little help. He lends you some milk if you run out, or gives you a ride if your car breaks down. He lets your children stay at his house if you get stuck working overtime. You do the same for him. Both of you help make each other’s lives easier.

When you go through a crisis, like a death in the family, a good neighbor volunteers to help in any way she can. She might do something small, like prepare a few meals for you. Or she might do something big, like help you get through the sadness of a funeral.

A neighbor can be as close as a good friend, or more like a distant acquaintance. Either way, a good neighbor is someone who respects you and supports you as he can. We should all be lucky enough to have good neighbors.

☆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 and good communication and problem-solving starts with tolerance among those who are concerned.

For example, the number of Indians has been increasing rapidly in my hometown in Tokyo over the past decade. Indian IT specialists are in high demand in our society 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 and rules can help prevent differences from developing into conflicts, we need to be open-minded first to use communication skills and rules well. We need to know some of our rules might make no sense to some people just as theirs do not to us. Thus, a good neighbor is ready to accept fundamentally everything about his or her neighbors before starting to talk and apply rules.

Your short response:

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

because …

For example,

Reference: related nouns

humbleness, humility

tolerance, open-mindedness

kindness, gentleness

frankness

sympathy, humaneness

thoughtfulness, considerateness

politeness

cleanliness

honesty, faithfulness, sincerity

patience

selflessness

friendliness

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 because preference is personal. Without background information, things like preference, personal tastes, become difficult to understand. Your readers do not know you at all, so you have to provide as much background information related to your preference as possible to help your readers understand why you prefer either of the two choices.

☆Essay for Ideas and Expressions

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

I cannot understand people who like to be alone. I always choose to be with friends whenever possible. My friends keep me company, they are enjoyable to talk with, and they teach me new things. I always feel good when I spend time with friends.

My friends keep me from feeling lonely. If I want to do something, I invite a friend or friends and we do it together. It is fun to go to the movies, shopping, or even to the library to study with friends. It isn’t fun to do anything alone.

I like talking with my friends. If I have a problem, I talk it over with my friends and they help me solve it. If something interesting happens to me. I share it with my friends. They share their problems and experiences with me, too.

I learn a lot from my friends. A friend might invite me to a movie that I haven’t ever heard of. A friend might tell me about a trip she took or a book she read. A friend might have a different point of view about a political issue. I learn a lot of new and interesting things by sharing with my friends.

Friends make our lives richer. They keep us company, share their problems and experiences with us, and teach us many things. Life would be sad and lonely without friends.

☆Sample Essay Structures

Sample Essay Structure 1 

【Introduction】Although I like spending time with friends, I prefer to be alone most of my time.

【Point 1】I have friends and I enjoy spending time with them.

【Point 2】However, I have many other things that I enjoy doing alone.  e.g. studies and hobbies

【Point 3】If I spent with my friends all the time, I would get tired, and I think my friends would feel the same way.

【Conclusion】I like to do things alone most of the time, and absence makes the heart grow fonder..

Sample Essay Structure 2

【Introduction】I prefer to be with my friends as much as possible because friends are the most important in my life.

【Point 1】The warmth of friendship is essential to me.

【Point 2】The more we spend time together, the better we understand each other.

【Point 3】When I am alone, I do what I have to do alone such as studies and reflection, but they are duties and not really enjoyable.

【Conclusion】There is nothing better for me than being with friends.

Your Sample Essay Structure

【Introduction = Outline】

【Point 1】

【Point 2】

【Point 3】

【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 is highly possible that it lacks some essential sentences such as supporting details (background information), or the main idea. A sample of a paragraph development is as follows:

                                            

Sample paragraph development:

【Topic Sentence】The warmth of friendship is essential to me.

【Explanation】 Spending time with friends is good for my mind.

【Supporting Detail / Example】 When I am depressed or restless, I go out to see my friends. As I spend time with them, chatting, watching movies, or playing games, I gradually regain my confidence and energy.

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

【Conclusion】 Meeting friends keeps my mind healthy.

☆Your test paragraph development:

【Topic Sentence】

【Explanation】

【Supporting Detail / Example】

【Follow-up】

【Conclusion】