Describe something that you did with someone/a group of people

Frankly speaking, there had been an abundance of situations in which I worked with a team and always learned a great deal from others. The event I’m going to talk about is a volunteering activity that I participated in with a group of friends from college. We volunteered at a local animal shelter, helping to care for the animals and assist with various tasks around the facility.

I did this activity with four of my close friends from college. We had all been looking for ways to give back to the community and decided to volunteer together at the animal shelter. The activity lasted for a full day. We spent about eight hours at the shelter, starting in the morning and finishing in the late afternoon. During this time, we helped in feeding the animals, cleaning their living areas, taking them for walks, and assisting the shelter staff with other tasks as needed.

We decided to do this activity together because we wanted to make a positive impact on the lives of animals in need while also spending quality time together as friends. Volunteering allowed us to bond over a shared purpose and create meaningful memories while also giving back to the community. Additionally, working as a team made the tasks more manageable and enjoyable, as we could support and motivate each other throughout the day.

Overall, volunteering at the animal shelter was a rewarding experience that brought us closer together as friends while also making a difference in the lives of animals in our community.

 FOLLOW UPS

1.    How do you get along with your neighbours?

I have a friendly relationship with my neighbours. We greet each other warmly and occasionally engage in small talk when we meet outside our homes. Overall, it’s a cordial and amicable relationship.

2.    How do neighbours help each other?

Neighbours often help each other by lending a hand during times of need. This could involve anything from helping with household chores, looking after pets or children, sharing resources like tools or groceries, or offering emotional support during difficult times.

3.    Do you think neighbours help each other more often in the countryside than in the city?

It’s possible that neighbours in rural areas may have more opportunities for direct and frequent interaction, leading to stronger community bonds and a greater willingness to help each other. However, the level of neighbourly assistance can vary depending on factors like cultural norms, individual personalities, and the sense of community within a neighbourhood, regardless of whether it’s in the countryside or the city.

4.    How do children learn to cooperate with each other?

Children learn to cooperate with each other through various social interactions, such as playing together, working on group projects, and participating in team sports or activities. They also observe and imitate cooperative behaviour modelled by adults and older peers, which helps them develop essential social skills and empathy.

5.    Do you think parents should teach children how to cooperate with others? How?

Yes, I believe parents play a crucial role in teaching children how to cooperate with others. They can encourage cooperation by setting a positive example, providing opportunities for teamwork and collaboration, and praising and reinforcing cooperative behaviour. Parents can also teach children communication and problem-solving skills that are essential for effective cooperation.

6.    Do you think it’s important for children to learn about cooperation?

Absolutely, learning about cooperation is essential for children’s social and emotional development. It helps them build positive relationships, work effectively in groups, resolve conflicts peacefully, and contribute to the well-being of their communities. Cooperation is a fundamental skill that prepares children for success in school, career, and life.

USEFUL VOCABULARY

Abundance: Having a lot of something, like an abundance of food or resources.

Volunteering: Offering to do work or provide a service without expecting payment, like volunteering at a local charity.

Rewarding: Giving satisfaction or a sense of achievement, like a rewarding experience or task.

Cordial: Friendly, warm, or polite, like having a cordial conversation with a neighbor.

Amicable: Characterized by goodwill and a lack of hostility, like reaching an amicable agreement during negotiations.

Lending a hand: Offering assistance or help to someone in need, like lending a hand to a friend moving house.

Household chores: Regular tasks or jobs that need to be done to maintain a household, like washing dishes or doing laundry.

Countryside: Rural areas or regions outside of towns and cities, like enjoying a weekend getaway in the countryside.

Peers: People who are similar in age, background, or status, like classmates or colleagues.

Empathy: The ability to understand and share the feelings of others, like showing empathy towards a friend going through a difficult time.

Reinforcing: Strengthening or supporting something, like reinforcing positive behavior with praise or rewards.

Conflicts: Disagreements or disputes between individuals or groups, like resolving conflicts peacefully through mediation.

Fundamental: Essential, basic, or crucial, like fundamental principles or concepts.