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 ongoing debate about architectural styles in housing, there are those who argue that new houses should echo 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 choosing. This essay will delve into both 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 according 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 negative impact on the overall visual coherence and historical continuity of a neighbourhood.
Conversely, adherents 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.
IELTS Writing Correction
- 1. Open more concisely Original: In the ongoing debate about Suggested revision: In the debate over Why it matters: The revision removes unnecessary wording while retaining the same context.
- 2. Use direct attribution Original: there are those who argue that Suggested revision: some argue that Why it matters: The shorter attribution makes the sentence more direct.
- 3. Use precise design verb Original: echo the established styles of older houses Suggested revision: reflect the established style of older houses Why it matters: “Reflect” states the architectural relationship more precisely.
- 4. Use concise choice phrase Original: styles of their choosing Suggested revision: styles of their choice Why it matters: The replacement expresses the same idea more economically.
- 5. Use neutral academic verb Original: delve into Suggested revision: examine Why it matters: “Examine” is a concise academic verb for discussing two perspectives.
- 6. Remove redundant determiner Original: both these perspectives Suggested revision: both perspectives Why it matters: “Both” already identifies the two perspectives, so “these” is unnecessary.
- 7. Tighten preference phrase Original: according to their preferences Suggested revision: in their preferred styles Why it matters: The replacement connects individual preferences directly to house styles.
- 8. Use concise harm phrase Original: the potential negative impact on Suggested revision: the potential harm to Why it matters: The revision conveys the same meaning with fewer abstract words.
- 9. Streamline possessive phrase Original: the overall visual coherence and historical continuity of a neighbourhood Suggested revision: a neighbourhood’s overall visual coherence and historical continuity Why it matters: The possessive form makes the long noun phrase easier to process.
- 10. Simplify supporter phrase Original: adherents to the idea of maintaining Suggested revision: supporters of maintaining Why it matters: The revision is more concise without changing the group being described.
- 11. Sharpen internal contrast Suggested revision: Make the transition from the benefits of individual choice to the concern about visual coherence more explicit. Why it matters: A sharper pivot would clarify where the paragraph moves from presenting the view to qualifying it.
- 12. Align claim and example Suggested revision: Link the historic-district example directly to the preceding points about identity and visual harmony. Why it matters: A more explicit link would show precisely which claim the example illustrates.
Suggested Rewrites
- In the ongoing debate about In the debate over
- there are those who argue that some argue that
- echo the established styles of older houses reflect the established style of older houses
- styles of their choosing styles of their choice
- delve into examine
- both these perspectives both perspectives
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
Detailed feedback by IELTS writing criterion after the annotated essay.
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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