Academic Writing - Model Answer (Task 2)

In the past, buildings often reflected the culture of a society but today all modern buildings look alike and cities throughout the world are becoming more and more similar. What do you think is the reason for this, and is it a good or bad thing?

No other building in the world is quite like the Taj Mahal in India, the Forbidden City in China or Sagrada Familia in Spain. However, travelling to any mega city around the world today, one has a feeling of having visited it before because of similar buildings.

In order to cut costs, buildings are constructed in a similar way as companies buy materials in bulk. With the onset of globalization multi-national companies want all their buildings to look the same to ensure uniformity. Once again this saves costs as all materials from door handles to door mats are purchased in large quantities and used on several buildings. A company also benefits when it is trying to get brand recognition from its customers if their buildings are recognised instantly.

On the other hand, in terms of creativity, originality and architectural design, buildings that are similar lack these qualities. One of the reasons people travel is to see something different to what exists in their home country. Barcelona, for example, would not be so popular if it were not for Gaudi’s designs that still exist today. Very few people are interested in giant glass and steel structures only.

In my opinion it is important for each city to keep its own individual character and this can be done with buildings that stand out and cannot be found in other areas around the world. Travelers should not feel as if they have not left home just because companies want to preserve an image and save money.

Question taken from Step Up to IELTS Self-Study Student’s Book p.90

Academic Writing - Model Answer (Task 2)

In many major cities of the world you will find large public buildings, both new and old. Discuss the advantages and disadvantages of such buildings.

How important is it for a country to construct impressive public buildings when houses are what is really required?

Cities around the world are recognised by a host of buildings, for example, the Eiffel Tower in Paris, the Oriental Pearl Building in Shanghai and the Petronas towers in Malaysia. These public buildings tell the history of the city and are a tribute to the architects who designed them.

Public buildings draw in tourists and revenue for a country and are used to advertise a city by being placed on posters, postcards, souvenirs etc. Another benefit of public buildings is that it gives architects a forum to express themselves and the buildings say something about the culture of a country, building style or materials used.

On the other hand, many of these public buildings serve no useful purpose for the general public, apart from acting as an attraction. They take up a lot of valuable space, often in city centres, cost millions to build, maintain and renovate. This prime real estate could be used to accommodate people and build apartment blocks. Although this is not aesthetically pleasing, it would solve the housing shortage.

Undoubtedly major attractions like the Taj Mahal that have been around for hundreds of years should remain as they are. However, housing a city's population would be a better option than to spend taxpayers money on the construction of new public buildings.
Question taken from Step Up to IELTS Self-Study Student’s Book p.91

General Training Model Answer - Writing (Task 2)

Some people warn that the era of the silver screen is coming to an end and that people will eventually lose interest in going to the cinema. Do you agree or disagree with this view?

Once a block-buster film hits the big screen it can be downloaded in a matter of hours onto computers around the world. With the availability of downloading software and on-line options for watching films, viewers have found a free and easy way to watch their favourite films.

Many people still flock to the cinema to watch the latest releases as this is a pleasant way to spend an afternoon or evening with family and friends.  Going to the movies is also a social experience where people can switch off for a couple of hours.Some types of movies especially the 3D variety and those that have special effects should always be watched on the big screen. Bollywood movies cause a sensation in the movie theatres of India due to their song and dance routine and action sequences. This experience will lose its magic if viewed at home.
On the other hand, technology has transformed the home into a theatre with the use of home-cinema and a person can have a private viewing of a film in the comfort of their home with all the extras found in a traditional movie theatre. As mentioned above, downloading or watching a film online is the choice of many.

Like other forms of entertainment, watching movies goes in and out of fashion but never fully disappears. The movie industry is worth millions particularly in Hollywood, Bollywood and Hong Kong. Film festivals like the Oscars and Cannes also make movies popular and encourage people to go to the cinema.

Question taken from Step Up to IELTS Self-Study Student’s Book p.73

Academic Writing - Model Answer (Task 2)

Formal education methods, where the teacher instructs the whole class and the students work alone, are more reliable and produce better results than informal methods.

Do you agree or disagree?

Teaching methods have changed in recent years. Although traditional methods were limited to a teacher, exercise books, a whiteboard and homework, the modern classroom is more sophisticated. Group discussions are encouraged, technology has been introduced into the classroom and interactive screens are quickly becoming the norm.

As a passive teaching approach has been around for many years, perhaps that is why it is considered reliable. It may also seem to produce positive results as students are working within a framework with a fixed syllabus and regular tests to evaluate progress. This method however might only benefit those who are good listeners. Students who learn in other ways, for example, those who are visual learners might not find this method rewarding.

Informal ways are a better way of teaching and learning, in my opinion. Teachers do not feel pressured to cover set materials and can think outside the box while students who enjoy this approach are likely to remember what they have learnt. Students who go on school trips, have guest speakers, visit factories, watch videos, do group work, and play interactive games use their imagination more and have fun learning.

To sum up, each student learns in a different way and a teacher has a challenging task of catering to the needs of a class. Although creative teaching practices require more input from the teacher, I think they will produce enthusiastic students who are eager to learn and in turn likely to have better results.

Question taken from Step Up to IELTS Self-Study Student’s Book p.48

General Training - Model Answer (Task 1)

You have recently stayed in a hotel in a large city. The weather was very unusual for the time of year and the heating/cooling system in the hotel was quite inadequate. Write a letter to the manager of the hotel. In your letter:

• give details of what was wrong
• explain what you had to do to overcome the problem at the time
• say what action you would like the manager to take

Dear Sir /Madam,

I recently stayed at your hotel (27th December until 4th January) in Moscow and I am writing to inform you that the heating facilities provided in room 202 were insufficient. As you may recall outside temperatures were below zero and is such extreme weather, heating is compulsory particularly in a well-known hotel famed for its service.

I noticed that the central heating unit was faulty as the room temperature seemed to be the same as the temperature I had experienced outside despite the fact that the unit was switched on. As all the rooms were fully booked I could not be moved to a new one so I asked housekeeping to bring me extra quilts. As you can imagine I could still feel the cold and I barely slept for the duration of my stay.

Repairing the unit in this room should be your priority so as to ensure other guests are not inconvenienced. I would also like to request a complimentary stay at your branch in Indonesia for the duration of a week.

I look forward to receiving your coupons.

Regards,

Fernando Del Bosque

Question taken from Step Up to IELTS Self-Study Student’s Book p.39

General Training - Model Answer (Task 1)

You have recently heard that a friend of yours has had some problems as a result of some unusual weather. Write a letter to your friend. In your letter:

• express concern (i.e. say you are sorry to hear what has happened)
• tell them about a similar experience that you once had
• give some advice or offer help

 Dear Jung Chang,

I heard about the recent heavy rain and flooding in Beijing on the news and I really felt awful especially since I know that you live in the centre of the city on the ground floor of an apartment building. I’m almost certain you have been affected by the bad weather.

You might remember me telling you about my experience of flooding in Mozambique when I was working there in 2000. The place I was staying at was completely covered in water and I lost all my possessions. I had no way of contacting anyone, no money or identification documents. The hours leading up to my rescue were also difficult.

It helped that I didn’t panic when I was waiting for help to arrive. The water will eventually dry up but you might need to destroy items that have been exposed to too much water. You are more than welcome to come and stay with me in Hohhot until you sort everything out as the weather here has not been extreme.

Take care,

Ha Jin

Question taken from Step Up to IELTS Self-Study Student’s Book p.38

Phrasal verbs with ‘get’

Get about/around = to travel to many places e.g. He gets about. He’s been almost everywhere.
Get about/around = information is heard by many people e.g. News on the little girl’s disappearance got around quickly.
Get something across = to successfully communicate an idea e.g. Here’s what you need to get across.
Get ahead = to be successful at work e.g. She got ahead by working hard.
Get along / on = to be friendly e.g. Gina and Toby really got along.
Get along = to successfully deal with a situation e.g. How are you getting along with your Chinese lessons?
Get around = find a way to deal with/avoid a problem e.g. I’m sure they’ll find a way to get around the issue.
Get around = move from place to place easily e.g. It’s not easy to get around Nicosia in a wheelchair.
Get round/around to doing something = to finally do something e.g. I got round to sending those emails last weekend.
Getting at something = What do you mean? e.g. What are you getting at?
Get away = to leave e.g. What time did you manage to get away?
Get away = to escape e.g. The thief got away with 1 million dollars.
Get away = to have a holiday e.g. I need to get away and relax.
Get away from something = to do something in a different way e.g. You need to get away from learning material off by heart.
Get away from something = to start talking about a different topic e.g. I think we’re getting away from the global crisis issue here.
Get away with = to do something successfully although it isn’t the best way of doing it e.g. Do you think we can get away with not mentioning Hanoi in the marketing material?
Get back = return e.g. When did you get back from Azerbaijan?
Get someone back = to get revenge e.g. I’m going to get her back for throwing cake in my face!
Get back into something = to re-do something after not having done it for a period of time e.g. Next year I’m thinking of getting back into engineering.
Get back to someone = to return a call with more information e.g. I’ll get back to you as soon as my IELTS results come out.
Get behind = to have not done as much work / paid enough money as you should e.g. We’re behind on our bank loan.
Get by = to just have enough money e.g. The Mitchell’s are getting by with very little.
Get down to doing something = to begin doing something seriously e.g. I got down to doing my assignment as the deadline was approaching.
Get in = to arrive e.g. When does the next train get in?
Get someone in = bring someone to repair something e.g. We’ll have to get a plumber in to fix the toilet.
Get in on something = to become involved without an invitation e.g. Our competitors are trying to get in on the deal.
Get into something = to become interested in an activity/subject e.g. I’m really getting into Spanish.
Get into something = to begin a habit/behaviour e.g. I’ve got into the habit of eating steamed food.
Get into something = get a place at a school/university/organisation e.g. We’re so happy our daughter got into that school.
Get off / on = to leave /go on a bus, train, plane or boat.
Get off = leave work at the end of the day e.g. I get off in time to catch the last train home.
Get off something = stop using the phone e.g. You’ve been talking for hours, get off the phone.
Get on with = continue working e.g. Break is over, get on with it.
Be getting on = old e.g. His eyesight is weak as he’s getting on.
Get out = to go to different places to meet people e.g. You need to get out more.
Get out = to exit a vehicle e.g. Get out the car carefully.
Get out = when news becomes public e.g. News got out that she fell asleep while driving and crashed into a tree.
Get something out = to remove a stain/dirt e.g. I tried to get the wine stain out of my shirt.
Get out of something = to avoid doing something by providing an excuse e.g. I tried to get out of washing the car.
Get something out of someone = to persuade/force someone to tell/give you something e.g. Simone wouldn’t tell me where she bought the shoes and I tried to get it out of her.
Get something out of doing something = to enjoy something or to think it’s useful e.g. I got so much out of my Swahili lessons.
Get over something = to feel better e.g. It took me a long time to get over Jeff.
Get something over with = to complete a difficult / unpleasant task e.g. Let’s go visit your parents and get it over with.
Get through = to manage to talk to someone on the phone e.g. Were you able to get through to the manager?
Get around something = to find a way of dealing / avoiding a problem e.g. Surely there must be a way of getting around the middleman.
Get through = to use a lot of money/food/drink e.g. We get through 3 rolls of toilet paper in a day.
Get through = to finish something e.g. I can’t go out tonight as I need to get through this pile of invoices.
Get through to someone = to succeed in making someone understand something e.g. After hours of negotiations I finally managed to get through to the suppliers regarding pricing.
Get through to something = to succeed in reaching the next stage in a competition e.g. Many Chinese athletes made it through to the Olympic Games final.
Get to someone = to make someone feel upset or angry e.g. It gets to me that I have to work on weekends.
Get together = meet to spend time together e.g. When are you free so we can get together for some dinner?
Get together = to begin a romantic relationship e.g. Kumar and Manisha got together last month.
Get yourself together = behave more carefully e.g. Why are you screaming like that? Get yourself together.
Get up = to wake up and get out of bed e.g. I get up at 8am daily.
Get up = stand up e.g. Everyone got up and clapped when the play ended.
Get with it! = be more modern e.g. We don’t use video tapes anymore! Get with it!