This is an IELTS writing task 2 sample answer essay on the topic of newly built houses and what styles should be allowed in local areas from the real IELTS exam.
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Dave
IELTS Essay: Style of New Houses
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.
Many feel it is crucial that home owners possess the freedom to design their own property, while others feel there should be restrictions. In my opinion, the value of preserving the identity of a neighborhood outweighs the rights of property owners.
Those in favor of unfettered choice argue this can inspire and motivate. When an owner has the ability to express an individual vision, they are naturally more invested in developing their property. Examples of this abound in newer cities such as Shenzhen in mainland China. There is little history to disturb and therefore architects are encouraged to pursue a vision in concert with owners that is aesthetically pleasing and novel. The result is modern homes and offices that push the boundaries of design and in the aggregate contribute an energy and vitality that can enliven, or even revitalize in some cases, an urban area.
However, in the majority of communities it is more important to prioritize cultural preservation. This is because the unique character of many cities and neighborhoods is today under threat from the irreversible effects of globalization. A standout instance of this would be the old quarter in Hanoi in Vietnam. The government has imposed strict regulations in recent years as a growing middle class has attempted to modernize their living conditions. To preserve the historic character of the city, many new homes must meet certain guidelines, including having classic wooden shutters, employing older building materials and not demolishing noteworthy homes. These efforts in Hanoi and similar cities conserve essential and unique aspects of history and culture.
In conclusion, despite endeavors to allow for freedom of expression in design, I believe that it is generally more valuable to preserve historically relevant design principles. Governments must naturally balance this with a desire to modernize.
Analysis
1. Many feel it is crucial that home owners possess the freedom to design their own property, while others feel there should be restrictions. 2. In my opinion, the value of preserving the identity of a neighborhood outweighs the rights of property owners.
- Paraphrase the overall essay topic.
- Write a clear opinion. Read more about introductions here.
1. Those in favor of unfettered choice argue this can inspire and motivate. 2. When an owner has the ability to express an individual vision, they are naturally more invested in developing their property. 3. Examples of this abound in newer cities such as Shenzhen in mainland China. 4. There is little history to disturb and therefore architects are encouraged to pursue a vision in concert with owners that is aesthetically pleasing and novel. 5. The result is modern homes and offices that push the boundaries of design and in the aggregate contribute an energy and vitality that can enliven, or even revitalize in some cases, an urban area.
- Write a topic sentence with a clear main idea at the end.
- Explain your main idea.
- Develop it with specific examples.
- Keep developing it fully.
- Stay focused on the same main idea.
1. However, in the majority of communities it is more important to prioritize cultural preservation. 2. This is because the unique character of many cities and neighborhoods is today under threat from the irreversible effects of globalization. 3. A standout instance of this would be the old quarter in Hanoi in Vietnam. 4. The government has imposed strict regulations in recent years as a growing middle class has attempted to modernize their living conditions. 5. To preserve the historic character of the city, many new homes must meet certain guidelines, including having classic wooden shutters, employing older building materials and not demolishing noteworthy homes. 6. These efforts in Hanoi and similar cities conserve essential and unique aspects of history and culture.
- Write a new topic sentence with a new main idea at the end.
- Explain your new main idea.
- Include specific details and examples.
- Continue developing it…
- as fully as possible!
- Vary long and short sentences.
1. In conclusion, despite endeavors to allow for freedom of expression in design, I believe that it is generally more valuable to preserve historically relevant design principles. 2. Governments must naturally balance this with a desire to modernize.
- Summarise your main ideas.
- Include a final thought. Read more about conclusions here.
Vocabulary
What do the words in bold below mean? Make some notes on paper to aid memory and then check below.
Many feel it is crucial that home owners possess the freedom to design their own property, while others feel there should be restrictions. In my opinion, the value of preserving the identity of a neighborhood outweighs the rights of property owners.
Those in favor of unfettered choice argue this can inspire and motivate. When an owner has the ability to express an individual vision, they are naturally more invested in developing their property. Examples of this abound in newer cities such as Shenzhen in mainland China. There is little history to disturb and therefore architects are encouraged to pursue a vision in concert with owners that is aesthetically pleasing and novel. The result is modern homes and offices that push the boundaries of design and in the aggregate contribute an energy and vitality that can enliven, or even revitalize in some cases, an urban area.
However, in the majority of communities it is more important to prioritize cultural preservation. This is because the unique character of many cities and neighborhoods is today under threat from the irreversible effects of globalization. A standout instance of this would be the old quarter in Hanoi in Vietnam. The government has imposed strict regulations in recent years as a growing middle class has attempted to modernize their living conditions. To preserve the historic character of the city, many new homes must meet certain guidelines, including having classic wooden shutters, employing older building materials and not demolishing noteworthy homes. These efforts in Hanoi and similar cities conserve essential and unique aspects of history and culture.
In conclusion, despite endeavors to allow for freedom of expression in design, I believe that it is generally more valuable to preserve historically relevant design principles. Governments must naturally balance this with a desire to modernize.
Answers
For extra practice, write an antonym (opposite word) on a piece of paper to help you remember the new vocabulary:
crucial really important
home owners people who have property
possess have
freedom ability to do what you want
design the way something looks
property land, houses, apartments, etc.
restrictions regulations
value importance
preserving keeping the same
identity character
outweighs stronger than
rights freedom to do what you want
property owners people who own houses, etc.
those in favor of supporters of
unfettered choice complete freedom
argue claim
inspire motivate
motivate encourage
ability capacity
express show
individual vision view of the world
naturally of course
invested in care about
examples of this abound in instances of this are common
mainland China China not including other territories
little history not much background
disturb affect
architects designers of homes
encouraged motivated
pursue try for
vision way of seeing the world
in concert with combined with
aesthetically pleasing beautiful
novel new
result effect
modern homes new houses
push the boundaries expand what is possible
in the aggregate combined
contribute an energy give power
vitality feeling alive
enliven bring alive
revitalize bring back to life
urban area city
majority most of
communities neighborhoods
prioritize cultural preservation value history and culture
unique character distinctive personality
under threat at risk
irreversible effects can’t be changed
globalization making the world all the same
A standout instance of this would be a good example is
old quarter in Hanoi historic neighborhood in Vietnam’s capital
imposed strict regulations enacted strong laws
in recent years recently
growing middle class people getting richer
attempted tried
modernize making newer
living conditions how people live
historic character old personality
meet certain guidelines abide by rules
classic wooden shutters outside windows to block light
employing older building materials use old substances
not demolishing noteworthy homes don’t know down nice homes
efforts attempts
conserve essential keep important
unique aspects what is different
despite endeavors regardless of attempts
allow for give the opportunity to
preserve historically relevant design principles keep alive the cultural quality
naturally balance of course weigh options against each other
desire want
Pronunciation
Practice saying the vocabulary below and use this tip about Google voice search:
ˈkruːʃəl
həʊm ˈəʊnəz
pəˈzɛs
ˈfriːdəm
dɪˈzaɪn
ˈprɒpəti
rɪsˈtrɪkʃənz
ˈvæljuː
prɪˈzɜːvɪŋ
aɪˈdɛntɪti
aʊtˈweɪz
raɪts
ˈprɒpəti ˈəʊnəz
ðəʊz ɪn ˈfeɪvər ɒv
ʌnˈfɛtəd ʧɔɪs
ˈɑːgjuː
ɪnˈspaɪə
ˈməʊtɪveɪt
əˈbɪlɪti
ɪksˈprɛs
ˌɪndɪˈvɪdjʊəl ˈvɪʒən
ˈnæʧrəli
ɪnˈvɛstɪd ɪn
ɪgˈzɑːmplz ɒv ðɪs əˈbaʊnd ɪn
ˈmeɪnlənd ˈʧaɪnə
ˈlɪtl ˈhɪstəri
dɪsˈtɜːb
ˈɑːkɪtɛkts
ɪnˈkʌrɪʤd
pəˈsjuː
ˈvɪʒən
ɪn ˈkɒnsə(ː)t wɪð
iːsˈθɛtɪk(ə)li ˈpliːzɪŋ
ˈnɒvəl
rɪˈzʌlt
ˈmɒdən həʊmz
pʊʃ ðə ˈbaʊndəriz
ɪn ði ˈægrɪgɪt
kənˈtrɪbju(ː)t ən ˈɛnəʤi
vaɪˈtælɪti
ɪnˈlaɪvn
ˌriːˈvaɪtəlaɪz
ˈɜːbən ˈeərɪə
məˈʤɒrɪti
kəˈmjuːnɪtiz
praɪˈɒrɪˌtaɪz ˈkʌlʧərəl ˌprɛzə(ː)ˈveɪʃən
juːˈniːk ˈkærɪktə
ˈʌndə θrɛt
ˌɪrɪˈvɜːsəbl ɪˈfɛkts
ˌgləʊb(ə)laɪˈzeɪʃ(ə)n
ə ˈstændaʊt ˈɪnstəns ɒv ðɪs wʊd biː
əʊld ˈkwɔːtər ɪn hæˈnɔɪ
ɪmˈpəʊzd strɪkt ˌrɛgjʊˈleɪʃənz
ɪn ˈriːsnt jɪəz
ˈgrəʊɪŋ ˈmɪdl klɑːs
əˈtɛmptɪd
ˈmɒdənaɪz
ˈlɪvɪŋ kənˈdɪʃənz
hɪsˈtɒrɪk ˈkærɪktə
miːt ˈsɜːtn ˈgaɪdlaɪnz
ˈklæsɪk ˈwʊdn ˈʃʌtəz
ɪmˈplɔɪɪŋ ˈəʊldə ˈbɪldɪŋ məˈtɪərɪəlz
nɒt dɪˈmɒlɪʃɪŋ ˈnəʊtˌwɜːði həʊmz
ˈɛfəts
kənˈsɜːv ɪˈsɛnʃəl
juːˈniːk ˈæspɛkts
dɪsˈpaɪt ɪnˈdɛvəz
əˈlaʊ fɔː
prɪˈzɜːv hɪsˈtɒrɪkəli ˈrɛlɪvənt dɪˈzaɪn ˈprɪnsəplz
ˈnæʧrəli ˈbæləns
dɪˈzaɪə
Vocabulary Practice
I recommend getting a pencil and piece of paper because that aids memory. Then write down the missing vocabulary from my sample answer in your notebook:
Many feel it is c_________l that h_______________s p_________s the f_________m to d_______n their own p__________y, while others feel there should be r_____________s. In my opinion, the v_______e of p____________g the i__________y of a neighborhood o__________s the r______s of p_________________s.
T_______________________________________e this can i________e and m________e. When an owner has the a________y to e_________s an i_________________n, they are n__________y more i___________n developing their property. E_____________________n newer cities such as Shenzhen in m_________________a. There is l_______________y to d_________b and therefore a___________s are e___________d to p__________e a v______________________h owners that is a_______________________g and n_______l. The r_______t is m_______________s and offices that p___________________s of design and i______________________e c______________________y and v____________y that can e___________n, or even r_________________e in some cases, an u_____________a.
However, in the m____________y of c________________s it is more important to p_______________________________n. This is because the u_________________r of many cities and neighborhoods is today u_______________t from the i______________________s of g_________________n. A__________________________________e the o_______________________i in Vietnam. The government has i_________________________s i___________________s as a g___________________s has a____________d to m_____________e their l__________________s. To preserve the h____________________r of the city, many new homes must m______________________s, including having c____________________s, e______________________________s and n_________________________________s. These e__________s in Hanoi and similar cities c__________e e___________l and u_______________s of history and culture.
In conclusion, d________________s to a___________r freedom of expression in design, I believe that it is generally more valuable to p______________________________________s. Governments must n______________________e this with a d________e to modernize.
Listening Practice
Learn more about this topic in the video below and practice with these activities:
Reading Practice
Read more about this topic and use these ideas to practice:
https://asianwaytravel.com/hanoi-old-quarter/
Speaking Practice
Practice with the following speaking questions from the real IELTS speaking exam:
Where you Live
My sample speaking for these questions is here.
- Where do you live at the moment?
- What do you like about your neighborhood?
- Are there any parks where you live?
Writing Practice
Practice with the same basic topic below and then check with my sample answer:
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?
This globalisation era has led a group of people to believe that new houses should be constructed according to their wish, while other majority of people opine this view and say that a house should represent the culture of the locality and should be made in traditional styles. In my opinion, a house owner should have the right to decide on the appearance of his property. This essay will discuss both the view.
On the one hand, supporters who favour historical over contemporary houses say that following a same pattern lends an equality to the society. It also facilitates in resembling the strong presence and dominance of the heritage a country possess. To illustrate, houses in Greece till date follows ancestral style of construction to reflect its ancient culture. Apart from that, it also restricts individuals building palatial homes, to stop audacious display of wealth.
On the other hand, those who express the urge of having the freedom to choose how their buildings will look argue that it is their right to decide as to how they want their places to look like and authorities should give them that liberty as they own the houses, and are paying a hefty sum for it. In addition, installing state of the art systems such as burglar alarms and cctv cameras on a traditional house can be a daunting task which, is the reason for many individuals to instead opt for modern houses with futuristic technology. For instance, in Tokyo, Japan, authorities don’t intervene in the process of structuring an apartment or a building according to an owner’s wish as long as the safety guidelines are met.
To conclude, I personally believe that ensuring safety policies are being followed, government should give house owners the right to choose how they desire their house to be.
Well written, Tashneet!
Careful with your collocations – we say ‘The current era of globalisation’ and don’t include so many main ideas in a paragraph.
Instead, try to develop your main ideas – that is how you will geta better mark for task achievement (and have a little better balance between paragraphs).
Keep it up!
Thank u so much for your feedback.
balance as in how ?
I mean the paragraphs should be generally the same length. The one you agree with can be a bit a longer – but not that much.
Is that clear?
Yes
Thank u so much
You’re welcome!
With a growing world population and an increase of foreign influences in many countries, there is a growing debate on how newly built homes should look like. While some argue that it’s everyone’s freedom to decide on how they want their house to look, others emphasise the importance of perpetuating the uniqueness of the look of a country. I believe that we should uphold the way our cities look.
Many future homeowners are of the opinion that they should have the freedom to decide on how their place of living should look. Thus, authorities shouldn’t have a saying in the build process. For instance, many urban cities in the US, that are home to culturally diverse communities, want to live in a place, which reminds them of their heritage. By taking away this freedom, distinct neighbourhoods like Chinatown and Little Italy wouldn’t exist today.
However, opponents of this view argue that a country could lose its uniqueness as a result. If every individual would start building their residence in a style they please, many villages and cities would lose a part of their culture and history. We can see this in many European countries, that have a recognisable look. Not only would neighbourhoods lose their beauty, but a piece of history would be also lost.
In conclusion, I believe that municipalities should have the authority to decide on how homes should look. The advantages of preserving the uniqueness of a country, outweigh the freedom of building a house in any way. However, there should always be some degree of freedom when it comes to the design of a home, as long as it is within a certain framework.