In some countries, more and more people are becoming interested in finding out about the history of the house or building they live in. What are the reasons for this? How can people research this?
Sample Response
It is increasingly becoming common practice for people in many places to be inquisitive about the history of the houses or buildings they live in. This trend can be attributed to a variety of reasons, including a desire to understand the cultural and architectural significance of one's home, as well as a sense of personal connection to the past. In this essay, I will explore the reasons for this growing interest in the history of houses, and discuss ways in which people can research the history of their homes.
The first reason for this growing interest in house and building history is a desire to understand the cultural and architectural importance of one's home. People may be curious about the style of architecture of their home and how it fits within the broader context of the neighbourhood or city. Additionally, individuals may be interested in learning about the people who have lived in their homes before them and the role the house has played in the community.
Another reason for this interest is a sense of personal connection to the past. People may want to know more about the history of their home because they feel a sense of belonging and connection to the place where they live. This can be particularly true for those who have lived in their home for many years or inherited it from a family member.
People can research the history of their homes in a variety of ways. One way is to start by looking for any historical records or documents that may be available through local historical societies, libraries or archives. These records may include deeds, maps, and photographs that can provide information about the home's history. Another good way to research the history of a home is to speak with long-time residents of the neighbourhood who may have knowledge about the home and its history. Additionally, people can research the history of the home by looking at census records, city directories, and newspaper articles.
In conclusion, understanding the history of one's home can deepen one's appreciation for the place where one lives, and provide a sense of connection to the past. It is believed that history and knowledge about homes will be easily accessible in the future.
IELTS Writing Correction
- 1. Remove redundant trend wording Original: increasingly becoming common practice Suggested revision: becoming increasingly common Why it matters: The revision expresses the growing trend without the redundant noun 'practice'.
- 2. Use direct research verb Original: be inquisitive about Suggested revision: investigate Why it matters: 'Investigate' states the active interest in discovering a property's history more directly.
- 3. Use natural history phrase Original: house and building history Suggested revision: the history of houses and buildings Why it matters: This is the natural construction for the subject being researched.
- 4. Avoid repeated of Original: style of architecture of their home Suggested revision: architectural style of their home Why it matters: The adjective 'architectural' removes an awkward repeated prepositional phrase.
- 5. Name previous occupants Original: people who have lived in their homes before them Suggested revision: previous occupants of their homes Why it matters: This concise noun phrase avoids the unclear sequence of pronouns.
- 6. Remove overlapping nouns Original: sense of belonging and connection to Suggested revision: sense of belonging to Why it matters: 'Belonging' already conveys a personal connection to the place.
- 7. Match plural people Original: home Suggested revision: homes Why it matters: The plural possessive noun agrees with the plural group 'those'.
- 8. State method concisely Original: One way is to start by looking for any Suggested revision: One method is to look for Why it matters: This removes unnecessary staging words and introduces the research method directly.
- 9. Use formal method label Original: Another good way Suggested revision: Another method Why it matters: 'Another method' is more concise and appropriately academic.
- 10. Avoid repeating home Original: knowledge about the home and its history Suggested revision: knowledge of the property and its history Why it matters: This uses the natural 'knowledge of' collocation and varies the repeated noun.
- 11. Sentence rewrite Original: It is believed that history and knowledge about homes will be easily accessible in the future. Suggested revision: Information about the history of homes is likely to become more easily accessible in the future. Why it matters: The rewrite removes the vague passive agent and expresses the same future prediction clearly.
Suggested Rewrites
- increasingly becoming common practice becoming increasingly common
- be inquisitive about investigate
- house and building history the history of houses and buildings
- style of architecture of their home architectural style of their home
- people who have lived in their homes before them previous occupants of their homes
- sense of belonging and connection to sense of belonging to
Why this response received Band 8.0
The response fully answers both questions, organises distinct reasons and research methods coherently, and uses broad, precise academic vocabulary with strong grammatical control. The main limitation is that some explanation is repetitive or general, and the final prediction is neither developed nor required; the best improvement would be to replace repetition with one concrete illustration of a reason and end by directly synthesising both parts of the task.
IELTS Writing Criteria Scores
Task Response
Both questions are addressed directly through relevant reasons and a well-developed range of practical research methods.
Strengthen one reason with a concrete illustration and replace the unsupported final prediction with a synthesis of the answer.
Coherence and Cohesion
Ideas are sequenced logically in well-focused paragraphs, and cohesive devices guide the reader smoothly through the two task parts.
Reduce repeated restatement of home history and make the conclusion connect more directly to the preceding discussion.
Lexical Resource
Vocabulary is broad and precise, with effective topic-specific choices such as architectural significance, archives, deeds, and city directories.
Vary repeated uses of history and home while refining slightly awkward phrases such as style of architecture of their home.
Grammatical Range and Accuracy
A wide range of complex structures is used accurately, with only minor lapses that do not affect clarity.
Polish occasional wordy clauses and punctuation choices to make already accurate sentences more concise.
Write this task while it is fresh
Try the same task now. It helps you remember the feedback and write better next time.
IELTS Writing Task 2
In some countries, more and more people are becoming interested in finding out about the history of the house or building they live in. What are the reasons for this? How can people research this?
Your response
Write the task yourself, then compare your choices with the annotated response.