ESSAY INFORMATION:
Written by: Xuân Phi, 03/07/2023
Supported by: Ex-BC Examiner, 04/07/2023
Question: Some people think that old buildings should be knocked down and give way to the new buildings. To what extent do you agree or disagree?
(IELTS Academic – 01/07/2023)
ANSWER (8.0+):
It is argued that the demolition of old buildings should take place to make way for modern constructions. From my perspective, I mostly agree with this practice given the safety and convenience that new structures provide to occupants despite the fact that it might lead to potential cultural loss.
The foremost rationale for my support is safety concerns as many of these old buildings were constructed decades ago. Essential structural elements that sustain the stability of the overall building such as beams or pillars may have deteriorated significantly, increasing the possibility of fractures and collapse. This seriously threatens the well-being and lives of those working or residing in these buildings. Therefore, new techniques and materials make new buildings stronger.
Another argument why I advocate the replacement of bygone structures is the enhanced comfort that new designs offer. This has been brought about by innovations in various fields such as architecture, construction technology and home appliances which were not available at the times of older constructions. This comfort, in turn, can vastly foster the productivity of office workers or elevate people’s overall standard of living.
However, I concede that the demolition of some existing buildings can be equivalent to the removal of the cultural values which are embedded into the architectural styles and diverse decorative motifs that were prevailing at the time of their construction. This potentially leads to a damage to national pride and identity which can hardly be compensated.
In conclusion, I largely support the idea of replacing old buildings by newly-constructed ones as they provide users a safer and more convenient working or living location. However, I also acknowledge the cultural damage this proposal might cause. To mitigate this, governmental bodies and scientists should survey existing buildings to establish a comprehensive list of possible sites for new construction or preservation, considering both practical needs and cultural significance.
(Word count: 364)
WORD LIST
ENGLISH | TIẾNG VIỆT |
Demolition | Sự phá dỡ |
Occupants | Cư dân |
Safety concerns | Mối quan tâm an toàn |
Fractures | Nứt gãy |
Collapse | Sụp đổ |
Reside in | Cư trú tại |
Bygone structures | Cấu trúc cũ, xưa |
Older constructions | Công trình cũ |
Foster the productivity | Thúc đẩy năng suất |
Existing buildings | Tòa nhà hiện có |
Embedded into | Được thể hiện qua |
Decorative motifs | Họa tiết trang trí |
Prevailing | Thịnh hành |