IELTS Speaking Part 1: Neighbours
Describe the neighbourhood you lived in when you were a child.
So, in the neighbourhood I lived in when I was a child, I was born and brought up in Mohali. It is a city in Punjab, and the people who lived around my house were very kind. Although some people have changed their houses and shifted elsewhere, most are still the same.
My neighbourhood and surroundings have come from a very diverse background. In my street, there are homes of different cultural beliefs, and just next to me on the left-hand side, the family which is living follows the Muslim religion. On the right-hand side, on the ground floor, a family practices the Sikh religion.
On the first floor, some people celebrate Christmas, and they don’t follow any religion, but they have mixed beliefs. So, being brought up and born in that kind of atmosphere where you get to know people from diverse backgrounds was good. In my childhood, we used to get together and play together. But today, everybody is busy, and I also went out of the city for college. Similarly, my peers, who were my neighbours back in my childhood, also went to different countries and even other states and cities for their education. I want to live in this neighbourhood in the future, but I’m afraid I will not be able to because most of my friends and their families have already shifted, and most of my friends plan to go abroad. Getting a neighbourhood like this will help me feel more comfortable, but I have accepted that I cannot live in this kind of atmosphere anymore. Overall, it was a good experience because I learned about diverse cultures.
How do the neighbourhoods contribute to a sense of community and belonging?
The sense of community or belongingness comes from people and having people all around. Neighbourhoods are essential to society and your community because you interact with them occasionally. If a problem comes to that particular place, everybody will unite and try to solve it. People celebrate all together. A sense of belongingness comes from people and neighbourhoods.
What are some standard features or amenities that make a neighbourhood desirable to live in?
The neighbourhood should have good people, and if I talk about amenities, there should be at least a park in the surroundings to have greenery. When I speak about where I live, I live on a street near two leading hospitals and many worship places around. Apart from that, there is a petrol pump nearby and many parks. So, I have never felt that I wish that this thing could have been near my neighbourhood. Where I come from is a very decent place to live.
Can you discuss the importance of safety and security in a neighbourhood and what measures residents can take to improve it?
So, the safety and security in the neighbourhood come from a trust. I remember when my parents went out of the station for some days. It was my neighbours who helped my brother and my stay. They got us food. So we had mutual trust in each other, and that is how people built a safe and secure environment and healthy relationships. Apart from that, if I talk about safety measures, people can always install CCTV cameras at home and keep a security guard if required for that area. They can lock their vehicles in a garage, close all the doors and windows, and lock their gates at night.
How do neighbours interact and support each other in your neighbourhood?
In my neighbourhood, people are very supportive and interactive. We go out to our neighbours, and they come to our homes to have a good time because we bond well. Sometimes, if my parents are out of the station, they offer help and help me with the food. We always care for their dogs and children if they go out for some time. So it is like a mutual understanding and the bond we have made in so many years; that is how we help each other.
What role do community events or organizations play in fostering connections?
Community events and organized functions are places where the community can participate. When people come together and start organizing and experiencing the youth, they create an atmosphere for them, and they enjoy and get happy that they have the people around. It builds a good connection, which is how people get a sense of belonging.
Can you describe a memorable experience you have had with the neighbourhood?
Yes, I remember when I was a child, and it was my birthday. Everybody at my home celebrated my birthday, and in the end, we didn’t cut it. I got out when I was a kid. It was like any other thing I did with my friends every evening. So I don’t know how, but I remember it was my birthday and they organized a small party with many food items. People were there, and I felt very nice that people cared and were essential to me, and I was important to them.
What are some challenges or issues facing your neighbourhood?
Sometimes, there are conflicts in the neighbourhood. I feel lucky that my neighbours are very understanding, and we have a perfect bond with them. There are significantly fewer incidents when there are conflicts or disagreements. Although everybody has disagreements, we also sometimes share different villages. We don’t start talking about that because that bond is significant.
How do neighbourhoods reflect a city or region’s cultural, socio-economic, and demographic diversity?
In a city or region, if I talk about urban settings, the areas were not urban since the very beginning. People came from various villages and rural parts of India, and they got their houses built in the urban setting. That’s how the community was built, and they migrated from different places.
They didn’t know what the neighbourhood people would be like. So, the area is very diverse, and everyone has distinct cultural beliefs and religions. Everybody is different, but they get a sense of unity and belongingness now that it’s been so many years of living together.
