Band 7 Example

Question: Do you think all old buildings should be demolished?

Idea 1

No, they shouldn't all be demolished
Model Answer
No, I don't think all old buildings should be knocked down. Many of them are really important for a city's history and culture. They have a special look that you don't see in new buildings, and they can attract tourists, which is good for the local economy. Also, instead of destroying them, we can fix them up and use them for things like cafes or museums. Tearing everything down would just waste a lot of resources.
No, I definitely don't think all old buildings should be demolished. These buildings are often a vital part of a city's heritage and give it character. They can be really beautiful and unique, unlike a lot of modern architecture, and they often attract tourists, which brings in revenue for the city. Plus, many old buildings can be renovated and repurposed as cafes, museums, or even boutique hotels, so demolishing them would be a real waste of resources and history.
Grammar Analysis
1. Negative structure: "I definitely don't think all old buildings should be demolished" uses a clear negative structure to express a strong opinion. 2. Relative clauses: "These buildings are often a vital part of a city's heritage and give it character" and "which brings in revenue for the city" both use relative clauses to add detail and connect ideas smoothly. 3. Comparative structure: "unlike a lot of modern architecture" uses a comparative phrase to highlight differences. 4. Modal verbs: "can be renovated and repurposed" uses modal verbs to suggest possibility and alternative actions. 5. Conditional structure: "so demolishing them would be a real waste of resources and history" uses a conditional structure to explain the negative consequence.
Vocabulary
  • vital part of a city's heritage
  • give it character
  • really beautiful and unique
  • modern architecture
  • attract tourists
  • brings in revenue
  • renovated and repurposed
  • real waste of resources and history

Idea 2

Some should be demolished
Model Answer
I think some old buildings should be demolished, especially if they're unsafe or falling apart. Sometimes, these buildings take up space that could be used for new houses or offices, which are needed in growing cities. Also, not every old building is special or has historical value, so it's okay to replace them with something more useful.
I believe that while many old buildings should be preserved, there are cases where demolition makes sense. For example, if a building is structurally unsafe or beyond repair, it's probably better to replace it. Also, in cities where space is limited, some old buildings that don't have much historical or cultural value could be removed to make way for new housing or offices. It's really about finding a balance between preserving history and meeting modern needs.
Grammar Analysis
1. Conditional clauses: "if a building is structurally unsafe or beyond repair, it's probably better to replace it" uses a first conditional structure to explain a situation and its result, showing good control of complex sentences. 2. Contrast with conjunctions: "while many old buildings should be preserved, there are cases where demolition makes sense" uses "while" to introduce a contrast, which is a sophisticated way to present balanced arguments. 3. Passive voice: "could be removed to make way for new housing or offices" uses the passive voice, which is common in formal and semi-formal spoken English, especially when the actor is unknown or unimportant. 4. Noun phrase: "finding a balance between preserving history and meeting modern needs" uses a complex noun phrase to summarize the main idea, showing the ability to condense information effectively.
Vocabulary
  • demolition makes sense
  • structurally unsafe
  • beyond repair
  • space is limited
  • historical or cultural value
  • make way for new housing or offices
  • finding a balance
  • preserving history
  • meeting modern needs