Some people believe that old buildings should be protected by law. Others, however, think that they should be replaced by new buildings. Discuss both these views and give your own opinion.
Same question Compare all 2 answers See different approaches and band scores for this IELTS task.Sample Response
While there is a growing movement to protect old buildings, many believe that they should be replaced by new and modern structures. While old buildings may have historical and cultural significance, I think that they often pose numerous safety risks and are no longer practical in today's society.
Firstly, many old buildings were constructed using outdated materials and techniques, making them vulnerable to collapse during natural disasters or even routine maintenance work. This not only puts the inhabitants of the building at risk but also poses a threat to surrounding areas. Replacing old buildings with new and modern ones that are built to withstand the test of time can greatly improve the safety of the people who live and work in them.
Secondly, old buildings often require extensive and costly renovations in order to meet modern safety standards and comply with building codes. This can put a strain on already limited financial resources and may not be feasible for many building owners. In addition, old buildings are often inefficient in terms of energy usage, resulting in higher utility bills and a greater environmental impact. New buildings, on the other hand, can be designed to be energy-efficient and sustainable, reducing their impact on the environment and saving money in the long run.
Finally, while old buildings may have historical and cultural significance, it is important to recognize that society is constantly evolving and changing. It is essential to adapt to new technologies and new ways of living in order to progress and thrive. Replacing old buildings with new and modern ones can provide a better quality of life for residents, attract new businesses and investment, and stimulate economic growth.
In conclusion, while old buildings may hold sentimental value, they pose numerous safety risks and are often inefficient and impractical in today's society. I believe that they should be replaced by new and contemporary structures that are safe, sustainable, and can support the needs of our constantly evolving society.
IELTS Writing Correction
- 1. Remove redundant wording Original: new and modern structures Suggested revision: modern structures Why it matters: New and modern overlap in meaning, so one adjective is sufficient.
- 2. Vary the contrast linker Original: While old buildings may have historical and cultural significance, I think Suggested revision: Although old buildings may have historical and cultural significance, I think Why it matters: Although avoids repeating While at the start of consecutive sentences.
- 3. Match the plural reference Original: inhabitants of the building Suggested revision: occupants of these buildings Why it matters: The singular building does not agree with the preceding reference to old buildings in general.
- 4. Remove repeated meaning Original: with new and modern ones Suggested revision: with modern ones Why it matters: Modern already conveys that the replacement buildings are new.
- 5. Use precise safety wording Original: built to withstand the test of time Suggested revision: designed to meet current safety standards Why it matters: The revision states the intended safety benefit more precisely than the broad idiom.
- 6. Use concise purpose wording Original: in order to meet Suggested revision: to meet Why it matters: To expresses purpose clearly without the unnecessary longer phrase.
- 7. Use natural collocation Original: energy usage Suggested revision: energy use Why it matters: Energy use is the more concise and conventional collocation here.
- 8. Avoid semantic repetition Original: constantly evolving and changing Suggested revision: constantly evolving Why it matters: Evolving and changing repeat the same idea.
- 9. Reduce word repetition Original: new technologies and new ways of living Suggested revision: new technologies and ways of living Why it matters: The second new is unnecessary in this coordinated phrase.
- 10. Use a direct verb Original: provide a better quality of life for residents Suggested revision: improve residents' quality of life Why it matters: The direct verb makes the claim more concise and natural.
- 11. Restore parallel structure Original: safe, sustainable, and can support Suggested revision: safe and sustainable and that can support Why it matters: A second relative marker is needed to coordinate the adjectives with the following verb phrase clearly.
Suggested Rewrites
- new and modern structures modern structures
- While old buildings may have historical and cultural significance, I think Although old buildings may have historical and cultural significance, I think
- inhabitants of the building occupants of these buildings
- with new and modern ones with modern ones
- built to withstand the test of time designed to meet current safety standards
- in order to meet to meet
Why this response received Band 7.5
The response is fluent, logically organised, and especially strong in its sustained explanation of the safety, financial, and environmental case for replacement. Its main limitation is task coverage: the protection view is acknowledged only through brief references to historical and cultural value rather than genuinely discussed. The highest-priority improvement is to develop a distinct argument for legal protection before weighing it against the preferred position.
IELTS Writing Criteria Scores
Detailed feedback by IELTS writing criterion after the annotated essay.
Task Response
A clear position is supported with well-developed reasons for replacement, but the opposing protection view receives almost no development.
Explain why supporters favour legal protection, with at least one developed reason, before evaluating that view against replacement.
Coherence and Cohesion
Ideas progress clearly through purposeful paragraphs, with effective referencing and well-controlled links between sentences.
Use a dedicated paragraph for the protection view so the organisational structure directly reflects both required sides of the discussion.
Lexical Resource
A wide and precise vocabulary conveys the safety, financial, environmental, and social arguments naturally.
Reduce repeated phrases such as old buildings and new and modern ones by using precise contextual alternatives where clarity permits.
Grammatical Range and Accuracy
A wide range of complex structures is used accurately, with consistently clear and well-controlled sentences.
Refine the occasional heavily extended sentence by varying its structure for even greater concision and emphasis.
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IELTS Writing Task 2
Some people believe that old buildings should be protected by law. Others, however, think that they should be replaced by new buildings. Discuss both these views and give your own opinion.
Your response
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