IELTS Writing Task 2 with sample answer.
You should spend about 40 minutes on this task.
Should a city try to preserve its old, historic buildings or destroy them and replace them with modern buildings?
Give reasons for your answer and include any relevant examples from your own knowledge or experience.
Write at least 250 words.
Sample Answer:
The old, historic buildings represent who we are. They bestows us a sense of self. They are part of identity and of what we are. They tell us the story of a particular event. The old, historic buildings not only have historic values, but they present commercial value as well. So, there is no rationale for destroying them and replacing them with modern buildings. We should preserve them as much as possible.
It goes without saying that these old, historic buildings are testimonials of who we are. They embody the identity of us. Why these buildings matter to our identity? It is because they help to connect us to our old generations. We can be acquainted with our root with the help of these historic buildings. They engage our senses because we feel these historic buildings take back us to our previous generation. We seem to recognize intuitively the way these old buildings symbolize meaning, significance and memories. These old, historic buildings are not only context or backdrop, but equally an integral part of our identity. So, preservation of these buildings is meant to preserve our identity.
A rehabilitated building might be the focus of commercial development. If an area is restored to its original appearance, it could serve as a magnate for tourist and create job opportunities for locals. Taking part of the restoration process as artisans or workers, local people can earn money which ultimately will mitigate unemployment problem. In western Massachusetts, the rehabilitation of an old mill complex has become the world’s largest modern art museum, and helped the town of North Adams to be reinvigorated. In 19th and early 20th centuries, the Mass MoCA (Mass Museum of Contemporary Art) complex was a home of huge fabric-printing business has now become favorite tourist destination and acts as a cornerstone of North Adams’ downtown revitalization.
To reiterate, if we want a tangible object that can support a sense of identity, these old, historic buildings, then, cater tangible support for our sense of identity. Besides, they also can be turned into lucrative commercial or tourist zone. So, why we shouldn’t take the opportunity?