Some people think that new houses should be built in the same style as older houses in the local area. Others disagree and say that local authorities should allow people to build houses in the styles of their own choice. Discuss both views and give your opinion.
Sample Response
In the debate overIn the ongoing debate about architectural styles in housing, some argue thatthere are those who argue that new houses should reflect the established style of older housesecho the established styles of older houses in the local area, while others contend that homeowners should have the freedom to build houses in styles of their choicechoosing. This essay will examinedelve into both perspectivesboth these perspectives. Personally, I firmly advocate the idea that new houses should be constructed in harmony with the architectural heritage of the local area.
Opponents of uniformity in housing styles assert that allowing individuals to build houses in their preferred stylesaccording to their preferences fosters creativity and diversity in neighbourhoods. They argue that this approach can lead to a unique and eclectic urban landscape, reflecting the varied tastes and personalities of the residents. However, this viewpoint may overlook the potential harm tothe potential negative impact on a neighbourhood’s overall visual coherence and historical continuitythe overall visual coherence and historical continuity of a neighbourhood.
Conversely, supporters of maintainingadherents to the idea of maintaining a consistent architectural style argue that it preserves the cultural and historical identity of a locality. Constructing new houses in the same style as older ones helps maintain a harmonious aesthetic, preventing disjointed and visually disruptive additions. For instance, historic districts with uniform architecture often attract tourists and contribute to a sense of community pride.
Supporting the latter perspective, I believe that building new houses in the same style as older ones fosters a sense of continuity, preserving the unique character and charm of a neighbourhood. This approach not only pays homage to the architectural heritage but also ensures a cohesive and visually appealing urban environment.
To conclude, in essence, the choice of architectural styles should strike the collective preservation of local identity. Therefore, new houses in a local area should reflect the traditional and architectural styles of the old houses.
Why this response received Band 8.0
The essay gives a clear, consistent preference for preserving local architectural character while explaining both individual freedom and collective continuity. Its strongest features are focused paragraphing and sophisticated topic vocabulary, although the case for personal choice is less fully explored and the separate opinion paragraph repeats earlier reasoning. Develop the opposing view more impartially, then replace repetition with a direct comparison before a concise, idiomatic conclusion.
IELTS Writing Criteria Scores
Task Response
Both views are addressed and the writer's position is clear and supported, though the argument for personal choice receives less development before being challenged.
Extend the case for design freedom with a concrete benefit before weighing it against heritage preservation.
Coherence and Cohesion
Ideas progress clearly through well-focused paragraphs, but the separate opinion paragraph largely repeats the preceding case for architectural consistency.
Merge the repeated support into the second body paragraph and use the freed space for direct evaluation of the two views.
Lexical Resource
The response uses a wide and precise architectural vocabulary with strong control, apart from the inaccurate concluding phrase ‘strike the collective preservation’.
Replace the faulty phrase with an idiomatic formulation such as ‘prioritise the collective preservation of local identity’.
Grammatical Range and Accuracy
A broad range of complex structures is used accurately and flexibly, with only rare local awkwardness.
Keep the same structural control while trimming redundant introductory phrasing such as ‘To conclude, in essence’.
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IELTS Writing Task 2
Some people think that new houses should be built in the same style as older houses in the local area. Others disagree and say that local authorities should allow people to build houses in the styles of their own choice. Discuss both views and give your opinion.
Your response
Write the task yourself, then compare your choices with the annotated response.