Should new houses follow traditional local styles?
The question
Some people think that new houses should be built in traditional local styles, while others believe owners should be free to choose their own design. Discuss both views and give your own opinion.
How to answer it
Give each side its own paragraph and its best argument. Tradition: a street reads as a whole, local materials suit local weather, and character brings people to a place. Freedom: houses are private property, tastes change, and frozen styles produce pastiche. The opinion that scores is usually the specific one — regulate what faces the street, leave the rest alone — because it resolves the debate instead of splitting it.
What moves the band
- Attribute views before answering them: 'Those who favour design freedom point out that …'
- Architecture lexis: in keeping with, a uniform streetscape, planning permission, an eyesore, character.
These are candidate recalls. These are questions reported by test-takers after their exams, not official or leaked IELTS material. Wording varies by test version, location and memory. Use them for timed practice — never as a prediction of what you will be asked.
Practise these next
Know the number. Now move it.
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