Some people believe it is better to build brand-new public facilities, while others think it is more sensible to renovate old ones.

Practice this IELTS Writing Task 2 question on IELTSX. Some people believe it is better to build brand-new public facilities, while others think it is more sensible to renovate old ones.

Build Brand New Public Facilities Renovate Old Ones - IELTS Writing Task 2

You should spend about 40 minutes on this task.

Discuss both views and give your own opinion.

Write at least 250 words.

A student's answer to this task, and the feedback on it

Written by an IELTSX user under exam conditions and published unedited and anonymously. Band 7 · 269 words.

There is disagreement over whether constructing new public buildings is better or whether modernizing outdated infrastructure is more reasonable. Although renovating old buildings may be affordable, I believe constructing modern facilities is better as they can incorporate modern design provide rooms with layouts and dimensions to their intended purposes.

Supporters of renovating outdated buildings claim that it is more beneficial because it is often cost-effective compared with constructing new facilities. Repairing existing structures allows governments to improve their functionality without spending excessive amounts of money on reconstruction. For example, renovating an old school can improve classroom conditions and upgrade outdated equipment at a lower cost than building a new school. From this perspective, governments can save public funds and allocate them to other essential services.

Nevertheless, I believe constructing new public facilities is more effective because developers can incorporate modern design and provide spaces tailored to the activities that will take place there. This is particularly clear in educational buildings, where architects can design rooms and facilities according to specific requirements, making the buildings more practical and efficient. For example, a newly built university can include spacious classrooms, modern laboratories and specialized study areas. As a result, students can benefit from a more comfortable and effective learning environment. Therefore, building state-of-the-art facilities is more beneficial as it allows governments to meet users’ needs by providing layouts and facilities suited to contemporary teaching and research

In conclusion, while renovating outdated public building may be economical, I am convinced that constructing new public facilities is more beneficial as architects can create purpose-built spaces with layouts and facilities suited to users’ activities.

Examiner feedback

The essay successfully addresses both sides of the prompt while maintaining a clear, well-supported personal stance. Strong paragraph organization and a good range of vocabulary and grammatical structures help secure a solid Band 7.

Task Response - 7

- Addresses all parts of the task clearly and presents a well-developed position throughout. - Main ideas are extended and supported with relevant examples like schools and universities. - The argument is focused and directly answers the prompt.

Coherence & Cohesion - 7

- Logically organizes information and ideas with a clear overall progression. - Uses appropriate cohesive devices such as supporters of, nevertheless, and as a result. - Presents clear central topics within well-structured paragraphs.

Lexical Resource - 7

- Uses an adequate and sufficient range of vocabulary with some less common items like cost-effective and state-of-the-art. - Displays good word formation with minor stylistic lapses. - Collocations are generally natural throughout the response.

Grammatical Range & Accuracy - 7

- Uses a variety of complex sentence structures with frequent error-free sentences. - Demonstrates good control of grammar and punctuation overall. - Minor structural awkwardness appears occasionally but does not impede communication.

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