Pre-TOEFL Writing What are the qualities of a good neighbor? - revised -

Writing Topic

Neighbors are the people who live near us. In your opinion, what are the qualities of a good neighbor? Use specific details and examples in your answer.

隣人は近くに住む人々です。あなたの意見では良い隣人の資質は何ですか。答えには具体的な詳細と例を使用して下さい。

 

☆Let’s Think

You can tell what kind of neighbors are good ones based on your personal experience or what you hear from the media and people around you. You could also imagine an ideal neighbor by asking yourself what kind of neighbor you want to have or you want to be. 隣人との個人的な経験・メディアや人から聞いた話・自分の理想の隣人を考えてみよう。

 

☆Hints for Points

A good neighbor …良い隣人は

1.     is thoughtful and gentle. 思いやりがあり優しい。

2.     is helpful and reliable 助けてくれ、頼りになる。

3.     is calm and quiet  大人しくて静か。

4.     is cheerful and outgoing. 明るくて外交的。

5.     does not discriminate against any neighbors. どんな隣人も差別しない。

6.     does not interfere with his or her neighbor’s life. 邪魔しない。

7.     does not bother others by being selfish. わがままで人を煩わせない。

8.     follows rules. 決まりに従う。

 

☆Sample Essay Structure

【Introduction = Outline】In my opinion, qualities of good neighbors are tolerance and empathy.

【Tolerance】Good neighbors are tolerant. They pay respect to their neighbors’ culture.

【Empathy】Good neighbor are empathic, so they can get along well and cooperate.

【Other Qualities】A friendly and communicative neighbor would be nice, but these qualities are not indispensable.

【Conclusion = Wrap-up】Good neighbors will ward off discrimination and apathy.

【導入＝概要】私の意見では良い隣人の資質は寛容性と共感性だ。

【寛容性】良い隣人は寛容性がある。隣人の文化を尊敬する。

【共感性】良い隣人は共感性があるので他人とうまくやれるし協力できる。

【他の資質】友好的で話好きな隣人は良いだろうが、これらの性質は必須ではない。

【結論＝まとめ】良い隣人は差別と無関心を防ぐ。

 

Your Sample Essay Structure

【Introduction = Outline】

【Body 1】

【Body 2】

【Body 3】

【Conclusion = Wrap-up】

 

☆Sample Paragraph Development

【Main Idea】Good neighbors are empathic.

【Supporting Details】They are like extended family members who are in good terms with you. They respect your privacy, but give you a good smile and warm words when you meet them and help you when you are in trouble. In a traditional society, where most of the members were related, such neighbors were common. If there was a young couple who had their first child cry hard every night, the neighbors would send a gentle middle-aged housewife, who would ask them if there was anything wrong with their child. By doing so, they saved both the parents and the child.

【Follow-up & Conclusion】In a modern society, where most residents in an area do not know each other, it is difficult to get involved with a neighbor with a problem, but similar thoughtful actions would be possible if we seriously think about our neighbors instead of being preoccupied with our own business all the time.

【主張】良い隣人は共感力がある。

【詳細】関係が良好な遠縁の親戚のようだ。プライバシーは尊重するが会えば優しく微笑み暖かい言葉をかけてくれ、困った時は助けてくれる。伝統社会では構成員の大半が親戚でそのような隣人が普通だ。毎晩子供を泣かせている若い夫婦がいれば、近所の人は優しい中年の主婦を行かせて子供に何か問題があるのか尋ねさせる。そうすることによって親と子両方を救った。

【補足と結論】現代社会ではある地域の住民の大部分がお互いを知らず、問題のある家庭と関わるのは難しいが、いつも自分自身のことに夢中になっている代わりに隣人について真剣に考えるならば同様の思慮深い行動が可能だろう。