Band 7 Example

Question: Do you think old buildings are valuable?

Idea 1

Yes
Model Answer
Yes, I think old buildings are really valuable. They show us our history and culture, and they make cities more interesting. Many tourists come to see these buildings, which helps the local economy. Also, old buildings often have beautiful designs that you don't see in modern buildings. They give a city its own special character.
Absolutely, I believe old buildings are incredibly valuable. They serve as a window into our past, reflecting the history and culture of a place. Besides, they often feature unique architectural styles that you just don't find in new constructions. These buildings also attract tourists, which boosts the local economy, and they give cities a sense of identity and charm. Many are repurposed as museums or community centers, making them useful as well as beautiful.
Grammar Analysis
1. Present simple tense: Used throughout the answer (e.g., "They serve as," "They often feature," "These buildings also attract tourists") to state general truths and facts, which is appropriate for IELTS Part 3. 2. Relative clauses: "that you just don't find in new constructions" and "which boosts the local economy" add detail and complexity to the sentences. 3. Parallel structure: "useful as well as beautiful" and "give cities a sense of identity and charm" use parallelism for emphasis and fluency. 4. Passive voice: "Many are repurposed as museums or community centers" uses passive voice to focus on the buildings rather than who repurposes them.
Vocabulary
  • incredibly valuable
  • window into our past
  • history and culture
  • unique architectural styles
  • new constructions
  • attract tourists
  • boosts the local economy
  • sense of identity and charm
  • repurposed
  • community centers
  • useful as well as beautiful

Idea 2

No
Model Answer
No, I don't think all old buildings are valuable. Some of them are really expensive to fix and keep in good condition. They might not be safe or use energy efficiently. Also, sometimes cities need space for new buildings, like offices or apartments, and old buildings can get in the way. Not every old building is important for history or culture.
To be honest, I don't think every old building is worth keeping. Many of them are costly to maintain and can be unsafe or inefficient when it comes to energy use. In some cases, they occupy land that could be used for new developments that better serve the community's current needs. Plus, not all old buildings have significant historical or cultural value, so it doesn't always make sense to preserve them just because they're old.
Grammar Analysis
1. Use of modal verbs: "I don't think every old building is worth keeping" and "it doesn't always make sense" show the use of modal verbs and negative forms to express opinion and uncertainty. 2. Complex sentences: The answer uses complex sentences with relative clauses, such as "they occupy land that could be used for new developments that better serve the community's current needs," which adds depth and detail. 3. Parallel structure: "costly to maintain and can be unsafe or inefficient" uses parallel structure to list multiple disadvantages, making the answer clearer and more organized. 4. Present simple tense: The answer consistently uses the present simple tense to discuss general truths and opinions, which is appropriate for this type of question.
Vocabulary
  • worth keeping
  • costly to maintain
  • unsafe
  • inefficient
  • energy use
  • occupy land
  • new developments
  • serve the community's current needs
  • significant historical or cultural value
  • preserve