Some people think the newly built houses should be the same as the old housing styles in local areas. Others argue that local authorities should allow people to build houses in their own style. Discuss both views and give your opinion.
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Sample Response
Many feel it is crucial that home owners possess the freedom to design their own houses, while others believe that architectural design should be restricted. In my opinion, the value of preserving the character of local areas outweighs the right of property owners.
Proponents of creative freedom argue that such autonomy can inspire and motivate homeowners. When an owner has the ability to express an individual vision, they are naturally more invested in improving their property. Numerous examples of this can be found in newer cities such as Shenzhen, mainland ChinaShenzhen in mainland China. Owing to the lack of architectural heritage, architects are encouraged to work with owners to pursue an aestheticallyaesthetic pleasing and cutting-edge designsdesign. The result is modern buildings and offices that push the boundaries of design, and collectively contribute energy and vitality that can reinvigorateenliven or even revitalise local areas.
However, in the majority of communities, it is more important to prioritize cultural preservation. This is because the unique character of many cities and neighbourhoods is currently under threat from the irreversible effects of globalisation. A clear example is Tokyo, JapanTokyo in Japan. The government has imposed strict regulations in recent years as a growing middle class has attempted to modernize the residential areasliving quarters. To preserve the city's historic charactercharater, strict guidelines apply to designatedtarget designated historic districts and traditional neighbourhoods. Within these zones, new residents have to adhere to a vernacularlocally adapted architectural style, such as using classic wooden shutters and traditionalolder building materials, while the demolition of period propertiestypical historical homes is banned.
In conclusion, despite argumentsendeavors to allow freedom of expression in design, I believe that it is generally more valuable to follow and preserve historically relevant design principles.
Why this response received Band 8.0
The essay presents a well-structured argument that thoroughly addresses both sides of the prompt while maintaining a consistent personal stance. The main strength is the effective use of relevant real-world examples to support each perspective. To reach a higher standard, the candidate could expand slightly on the conclusion to summarize the core reasons behind the final position more comprehensively.
IELTS Writing Criteria Scores
Task Response
All parts of the prompt are fully addressed with well-developed ideas and clear supporting examples.
Summarize the key supporting points more fully in the conclusion to reinforce the final position.
Coherence and Cohesion
Paragraphing is logical and ideas flow smoothly using natural cohesive devices.
Vary transitional phrases between paragraphs slightly to make logical connections even more seamless.
Lexical Resource
A wide range of sophisticated and flexible vocabulary is used accurately throughout the essay.
Proofread carefully to eliminate occasional minor spelling slips.
Grammatical Range and Accuracy
A variety of complex sentence structures are controlled with high accuracy and precision.
Maintain this level of grammatical control while incorporating more varied punctuation structures, such as semicolons or em-dashes, where appropriate.