B1 Reading: Meet the Neighbors
Maria – The Friendly Neighbor
Maria is a 30-year-old graphic designer who recently moved into the neighborhood. She loves gardening and often spends her weekends tending to her flower beds. Maria enjoys meeting new people and always greets her neighbors with a warm smile. She is known for her kindness and willingness to help others.
Emily – The Animal Lover
Emily is a veterinary assistant who lives next door. She has a passion for animals and is often seen walking her dog, Max, around the neighborhood. Emily is friendly and outgoing, and she loves to stop and chat with her neighbors about their pets. She greets everyone with a cheerful “Hello!”
John – The Handyman
John is a retired mechanic in his 60s. He has lived in the neighborhood for over 30 years and is well-known for his handyman skills. Whenever someone needs help fixing a leaky faucet or repairing a bike, they know they can count on John. John is friendly and always greets his neighbors with a nod and a wave.
Meet the Neighbors
Read about three friendly people who live in the same neighborhood. Practice your English reading skills!
A friendly neighborhood — where everyone knows your name
📚 Vocabulary Preview
Learn these words before you read. Click each card to see an example sentence.
💡 Tip: Click any card to see an example sentence!
📖 Reading Passage
Maria is a 30-year-old graphic designer who recently moved into the neighborhood. She loves gardening and often spends her weekends tending to her flower beds.
Maria enjoys meeting new people and always greets her neighbors with a warm smile. She is known for her kindness and her willingness to help others.
Emily is a veterinary assistant who lives next door. She has a passion for animals and is often seen walking her dog, Max, around the neighborhood.
Emily is friendly and outgoing, and she loves to stop and chat with her neighbors about their pets. She greets everyone with a cheerful "Hello!"
John is a retired mechanic in his 60s. He has lived in the neighborhood for over 30 years and is well-known for his handyman skills.
Whenever someone needs help fixing a leaky faucet or repairing a bike, they know they can count on John. He is friendly and always greets his neighbors with a nod and a wave.
✅ Comprehension Questions
💬 Discussion Questions
Talk about these questions with a partner or write your answers in your notebook.
Do you know your neighbors well? What are they like?
What makes a good neighbor? Think of three qualities.
Which of the three neighbors — Maria, Emily, or John — would you most like to live next to? Why?
Is it important to have a friendly relationship with your neighbors? Why or why not?
Have you ever helped a neighbor or been helped by one? Tell the story.
🔍 Grammar Focus
Present Simple vs. Present Perfect
In this reading, we use two important tenses. Understanding the difference will help you speak and write more naturally.
→ We use this for habits and things that are generally true.
→ We use this for situations that started in the past and are still true now.
| Tense | Use | Example from the text |
|---|---|---|
| Present Simple | Habits, routines, general facts | "She loves gardening." |
| Present Perfect | Past action with present result; ongoing situations | "He has lived here for 30 years." |
| Present Continuous | Actions happening right now or around now | "She is often seen walking her dog." |
⚠️ Common mistake: Don't say "He lived here for 30 years" if he still lives there now. Use the present perfect: "He has lived here for 30 years."
🗝️ Answer Key
Try the quiz first! Then check your answers below.
Question 1 – What is Maria's profession?
The text says: "Maria is a 30-year-old graphic designer."
Question 2 – What does Maria enjoy doing on weekends?
The text says: "She loves gardening and often spends her weekends tending to her flower beds."
Question 3 – How does Maria greet her neighbors?
The text says: "She always greets her neighbors with a warm smile."
Question 4 – What is John well-known for?
The text says: "He is well-known for his handyman skills."
Question 5 – How long has John lived in the neighborhood?
The text says: "He has lived in the neighborhood for over 30 years."
Question 6 – What is Emily's occupation?
The text says: "Emily is a veterinary assistant who lives next door."
Question 7 – What is the name of Emily's dog?
The text says: "She is often seen walking her dog, Max, around the neighborhood."
Question 8 – How does Emily greet her neighbors?
The text says: "She greets everyone with a cheerful 'Hello!'"
Question 9 – What do all three neighbors have in common?
All three profiles describe people who are kind, friendly, and welcoming to those around them.
Question 10 – How would you describe the atmosphere?
The descriptions of all three neighbors suggest a friendly, supportive, and welcoming community.
🎉 Great work!
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