📖 Key Vocabulary — Pre-teach Before Class
Introduce or review these words with students before starting the lesson so they can use them during speaking practice.
1a neighborhood watcha group of local residents who look out for suspicious activity to keep the area safe
2to move into start living in a new home
3a landlorda person who owns a property and rents it out to others
4a tenanta person who rents and lives in a property owned by someone else
5a gated communitya residential area with restricted entry for security
6to get along withto have a friendly relationship with someone
7a communal areaa shared space used by all residents of a building
8noise pollutionexcessive or disturbing sound that disrupts daily life
9a high-risea very tall building with many floors of apartments
10to settle into become comfortable in a new home or place
11a close-knit communitya group of people with strong, supportive relationships
12to keep to yourselfto avoid socializing much with others
13a homeowners' associationa group that manages and enforces rules in a residential area
14to renovateto repair or improve a building so it looks new again
15a block partyan informal outdoor gathering for people living on the same street
16to complain aboutto express dissatisfaction about something
17a suburba residential area on the outskirts of a city
18to blend into fit comfortably into a new social environment
19a fixer-uppera property that needs significant repair work
20neighborlyfriendly and helpful in the way a good neighbor should be
✍️ Vocabulary Practice — Fill in the Blank
Complete each sentence below with the correct word or phrase from the 20 vocabulary words above. Use each word only once.
▼
a block party
a close-knit community
a communal area
a fixer-upper
a gated community
a high-rise
a homeowners' association
a landlord
a neighborhood watch
a suburb
a tenant
neighborly
noise pollution
to blend in
to complain about
to get along with
to keep to yourself
to move in
to renovate
to settle in
- Any changes to the exterior of the house must first be approved by .
- Several residents began the constant barking of the dog next door.
- Offering to water the plants while she was away was a truly gesture from the man next door.
- When renting an apartment, it's important to clarify with who is responsible for repairs.
- It usually takes new residents a few weeks before they feel comfortable in the neighborhood.
- They decided the old house before moving in, spending their entire savings on materials.
- My uncle recently bought a villa in where a guard checks every visitor at the entrance.
- Some people prefer rather than joining every social gathering in the building.
- Every summer, the neighbors organise with barbecues, music and games for all the children on the street.
- It wasn't easy at first, since most of the neighbors had lived there for decades.
- Under most rental agreements, is legally responsible for paying rent on time each month.
- After several break-ins on the street, residents organised to keep an eye on suspicious activity at night.
- The couple bought at a low price, planning to fix it up themselves over the next year.
- It took a few months, but she eventually learned the noisy family next door.
- From the balcony of , you can see the entire city skyline at night.
- Residents of the building often chat in on the ground floor while waiting for the lift.
- Growing up in , everyone knew each other's names and helped one another during hard times.
- Many young families choose to raise their children in rather than in the crowded city centre.
- Living next to a busy road, the family constantly complains about from passing traffic.
- The young couple couldn't wait and start decorating their first apartment.
1.a homeowners' association
2.to complain about
3.neighborly
4.a landlord
5.to settle in
6.to renovate
7.a gated community
8.to keep to yourself
9.a block party
10.to blend in
11.a tenant
12.a neighborhood watch
13.a fixer-upper
14.to get along with
15.a high-rise
16.a communal area
17.a close-knit community
18.a suburb
19.noise pollution
20.to move in
🕐 0'–10': Warm-up & Opening Question
Purpose
Help everyone relax, get comfortable speaking, and activate ideas.
Teacher asks👉 "Do you know your neighbors well?"
Follow-up questions- What makes someone a good neighbor?
- Would you rather live in an apartment or a house? Why?
➡ Each student answers briefly (about 1 minute); the teacher asks 1–2 short follow-ups to keep it natural.
🗣️ 10'–45': IELTS Speaking – Part 2 Practice
Format: 1 minute preparation · 2 minutes speaking per student. Students choose or are assigned ONE of the topics below:
Topic 1
Describe a neighbor you know well.
You should say:
- Who this person is
- How you first met them
- What kind of relationship you have with them
- And explain why you consider them a good neighbor
Topic 2
Describe a time you moved to a new home or area.
You should say:
- When this happened
- Where you moved from and to
- How you felt about the move at the time
- And explain how you adapted to the new neighborhood
Topic 3
Describe a community event you took part in.
You should say:
- What the event was
- Where and when it took place
- Who else was involved
- And explain what you enjoyed most about it
➡ Timing suggestion: 1 minute for preparation, then start speaking.
💬 45'–55': Follow-up Discussion (Part 3 style)
The teacher chooses questions related to the topics above, for example:
Neighborhood Relationships
- Do you think people are less close to their neighbors nowadays than in the past?
- What are the benefits of living in a close-knit community?
- Should neighbors be more involved in each other's lives, or is privacy more important?
Urban vs Rural Living
- What are the advantages and disadvantages of living in an apartment compared to a house?
- How can local governments encourage a stronger sense of community in cities?
- Do you think community spirit is stronger in the countryside than in big cities?
a neighborhood watch – a group of local residents who look out for suspicious activity to keep the area safe
a close-knit community – a group of people with strong, supportive relationships
noise pollution – excessive or disturbing sound that disrupts daily life
a block party – an informal outdoor gathering for people living on the same street
➡ Students discuss briefly; the teacher adds ideas, vocabulary, and useful structures.
🌟 55'–60': Wrap-up & Closing
- Quick recap of interesting or strong answers.
- One student summarizes what they learned today.
- Thank the teacher for joining.