今回の Topic は、Official Guide to the TOEFL の Independent Essay 第５問です。

１. Topic           

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

２. Struture

a) Thesis Statement (Introduction)                

     In my opinion, being a good individual, fostering good social manner, and participating in community activities are the necessary qualities of a good neighbor.

b) Body の部分を構成する３つの Paragraph の Main Idea は、

第１ Paragraph　社会の最も基本的な構成単位として、各々の個人は適切な人格、とりわけ寛容性を備えることが期待されている

第２ Paragraph　グローバル化の結果としての多様な社会において、各個人は社会的マナーを習得する必要がある

第３ Paragraph　地元の様々な活動に参加することで、包括的で参加型の地域社会が実現する

３. Sample

     In my opinion, being a good individual, fostering good social manner, and participating in community activities are the necessary qualities of a good neighbor.     

     To begin with, as the most fundamental unit of our society, each individual is expected to acquire proper character, tolerance in particular.  Thanks to the globalization, our society has become much more diversified than ever before.  As a result, many people from abroad, with a broad range of ethnicity and culture, live and work in Japan.  Under the circumstances, we need to come to terms with cultural differences to live in harmony with others in our neighborhood and community.         

     In addition, in such diversified societies, we should also foster basic social manners.  On the surface, there are marked differences regarding the way we live, but at the bottom line, we all share common characteristics as human beings.  Therefore, it is possible for us to bridge the gaps between Japanese and people from other countries by the consensus that we are required to abide by basic social manners.  For instance, we should avoid unnecessary troubles or nuisances with our neighbors as a member of the community.                                                                                               

     Finally, local communities would become more vitalized and comfortable by making the community more inclusive and participatory.  We could start this by participating in various community project initiated by the community members.  For example, we, especially senior citizens, could take part in several community projects in which we help people from abroad and their children learn Japanese or Japanese culture.  In doing so, this inclusive and participatory culture would surely lead to the construction of good neighborhood.    

     It is true that it takes time, energy, and money to assimilate people with diverse background into new surroundings.  However, being a good individual, fostering basic social manner, and creating inclusive and participatory culture in our community should make us good neighbors.

 

To be continued.