Band 7 Example

Question: Does historic preservation contradict economic development?

Idea 1

Yes
Model Answer
Yes, I believe historic preservation can sometimes clash with economic development. Often, old buildings sit on valuable land, which could be used for more profitable projects. Plus, a lot of money goes into maintaining these historic sites, which might be better spent on future development. It's like we're holding onto the past at the cost of progress.
Certainly, there's a tension between historic preservation and economic development. Prime real estate is often occupied by old buildings, which might be seen as a roadblock to more lucrative ventures. Additionally, substantial funds are allocated for maintaining these historical structures, diverting resources from potential future advancements. It seems we're sometimes prioritizing our heritage over progress, a move that can be economically restrictive.
Grammar Analysis
Present continuous passive voice: "is often occupied by old buildings" uses the present continuous passive voice to express an ongoing state, which can enhance the complexity of oral expression. Comparative form: "more lucrative ventures" uses the comparative form (more lucrative) effectively to express comparison and contrast between different things, which is a common advanced grammar point in high-scoring IELTS speaking answers. Complex noun phrase structure: "substantial funds are allocated for maintaining these historical structures" uses a complex noun phrase structure, increasing the complexity and formality of the answer. Conditional adverbial clause: "a move that can be economically restrictive" uses a conditional adverbial clause (that can be) to demonstrate the ability of the candidate to use appropriate subordinate clause structures when describing hypothetical situations or possibilities, adding complexity to the answer.
Vocabulary
  • tension
  • historic preservation
  • economic development
  • prime real estate
  • roadblock
  • lucrative
  • substantial
  • historical structures
  • prioritizing
  • heritage
  • restrictive

Idea 2

No
Model Answer
No, I don't think large companies prefer city centers anymore. City centers are too crowded, which makes commuting difficult for workers. Therefore, many companies choose to locate outside cities where land is cheaper and traffic isn't a big issue. This also helps preserve historic city centers, which is very important. Plus, companies avoid problems with local people by not destroying culturally important buildings, as it can be bad for their reputation.
No, I don't think so. Nowadays, big companies are reluctant to move into city centers as they are overcrowded and it means workers have to commute long distances, so they are more likely to be found outside the city where land is cheaper and workers aren't delayed due to congestion. Economic development continues and historic centers survive, which is paramount. Companies are also reluctant to anger the locals by applying to knock down culturally important buildings as it's a PA nightmare for them.
Grammar Analysis
Use of modal verbs: "are reluctant to" expresses the company's unwillingness to move to the city center, demonstrating the candidate's ability to use modal verbs to accurately express viewpoints. Parallel structure: "overcrowded" and "long distances" express two issues of the city center through parallel structure, increasing the complexity of the answer. Reason clauses: The reasons of "as they are overcrowded" and "as it's a PA nightmare for them" clearly illustrate the reasons why the company is reluctant to move to the city center, demonstrating a high level of sentence construction ability. Passive voice: The use of "to be found" and "aren't delayed" demonstrates the correct use of the passive voice, making the sentences more formal and objective.
Vocabulary
  • be reluctant to move into city centers
  • overcrowded
  • workers have to commute long distances
  • land is cheaper
  • aren't delayed due to congestion
  • historic centers survive
  • reluctant to anger the locals
  • culturally important buildings
  • PA nightmare for them