When designing a building, the most important factor is the intended use of the building rather than its outward appearance. To what extent do you agree or disagree?
Sample Response
People have different views regarding the importance of a building’s function in comparison to its exterior appearance. In my opinion, I agree with the idea that a construction’s purpose should be more highly valued than the appearance for a number of reasons.
On the one hand, it cannot be denied that a magnificent looking structure can bring a wide range of benefits that should be taken into consideration. Firstly, it can remarkably raise the value of a building, especially a commercial or shopping center, as it looks more attractive, professional and high-class. The more customers are attracted to the building, the more profit it can potentially generate, which can benefit the building’s owners enormously. Secondly, a building with an aesthetic design can contribute a lot to the appearance of a city, and may make it become one of the most distinguishing places on the map. A lot of cities nowadays which are well-known for their architectural beauty have become popular destinations for tourists.
On the other hand, the purpose of a building, in my opinion, is the key consideration when designing it. There are a variety of different building types such as office buildings, commercial buildings, shopping centers, hospitals and schools. Each one of these has its own purpose and a particular interior design to serve those purposes. Therefore, only by focusing on the functionality of a design first, can we bring out the best use of a construction. In addition, people use a particular place because of what it offers inside, not merely because of what it looks like on the outside. For example, if a company intends to erect a new office building, they will tend to choose the design based on the inner working spaces to enhance the operation of the staff and the enterprise.
In conclusion, while the exterior of a building is an important factor, I believe its function should receive greater attention.
IELTS Writing Correction
- 1. Simplify the comparison Original: in comparison to its exterior appearance Suggested revision: compared with its exterior appearance Why it matters: Compared with expresses the contrast more directly.
- 2. Remove redundancy Original: In my opinion, I agree Suggested revision: I agree Why it matters: Agree already signals that this is the writer's opinion.
- 3. Choose the right noun Original: construction’s Suggested revision: building’s Why it matters: Construction usually refers to the process, while building names the completed structure.
- 4. Add the determiner Original: the Suggested revision: its Why it matters: The possessive determiner is needed to identify the building's appearance.
- 5. Correct the collocation Original: remarkably raise Suggested revision: significantly increase Why it matters: Significantly increase is the natural collocation for a substantial rise in value.
- 6. Use parallel categories Original: a commercial or shopping center Suggested revision: a commercial building or shopping center Why it matters: Commercial building and shopping center are parallel types of structure.
- 7. Describe appearance precisely Original: professional and high-class Suggested revision: polished and prestigious Why it matters: These adjectives describe a building's outward impression more precisely.
- 8. Use precise wording Original: contribute a lot to the appearance Suggested revision: greatly enhance the appearance Why it matters: Enhance expresses a positive effect on the city's appearance more precisely.
- 9. Correct causative form Original: may make it become Suggested revision: may make it Why it matters: Make is followed by the bare form or a complement, so become is unnecessary here.
- 10. Correct word choice Original: one of the most distinguishing places Suggested revision: one of the most distinctive landmarks Why it matters: Distinctive describes a notable feature, whereas distinguishing normally describes a feature that separates things.
- 11. Use formal wording Original: A lot of cities nowadays Suggested revision: Many cities today Why it matters: Many cities today is more concise and suitably formal.
- 12. Remove redundancy Original: a variety of different building types Suggested revision: a variety of building types Why it matters: Variety already conveys difference, making different redundant.
Suggested Rewrites
- in comparison to its exterior appearance compared with its exterior appearance
- In my opinion, I agree I agree
- construction’s building’s
- the its
- remarkably raise significantly increase
- a commercial or shopping center a commercial building or shopping center
Why this response received Band 7.5
The response is strongest in its clear position and orderly comparison of aesthetic appeal with practical function, supported by a relevant office-building example. Its main limitation is that several claims remain broad and are expressed through awkward collocations, which weakens precision; the highest-priority improvement is to develop the functional argument with more specific consequences while choosing more natural wording throughout.
IELTS Writing Criteria Scores
Task Response
The response addresses the question fully, maintains a clear preference for function, and develops both sides with relevant reasons.
Explain the practical consequences of function-led design in greater depth rather than relying mainly on general statements.
Coherence and Cohesion
The essay has clear paragraphing and logical progression, although some sequencing language is predictable and mechanical.
Use less formulaic transitions and strengthen the internal links between each claim, explanation, and example.
Lexical Resource
Vocabulary is sufficiently varied for the topic, but recurring awkward collocations reduce precision and naturalness.
Replace expressions such as magnificent looking, distinguishing places, and bring out the best use with idiomatic alternatives.
Grammatical Range and Accuracy
The response uses varied complex sentences with generally strong control, despite occasional agreement, punctuation, and construction problems.
Check number agreement and clause construction carefully, especially in sentences involving inversion, relative clauses, and pronoun reference.
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IELTS Writing Task 2
When designing a building, the most important factor is the intended use of the building rather than its outward appearance. To what extent do you agree or disagree?
Your response
Write the task yourself, then compare your choices with the annotated response.