13815 Two Sample Essays
雅思范文：古老建筑
海外教师谢振礼原创
ielts360toefl@hotmail.com
You should spend about 40 minutes on this task.
Write about the following topic:
Many old buildings protected by law are part of a nation's history. Some people think they should be knocked down and replaced by new ones.
How important is it to maintain old buildings?
Should history stand in the way of progress?
Give reasons for your answer and include any relevant examples from your own knowledge or experience.
>Example Writing：
Famous historic buildings are an expression of beauty and should not be knocked down and replaced by new ones simply in the name of progress. Across the world, it is important to maintain historic buildings as they are recognized as works of art and heritages of the human race. In every nation, some, possibly many, old buildings that still exist today deserve to be earnestly protected by law because they have become not only the beautiful living memory of the past but also the important milestones of human progress.
From an artistic point of view, the value of a country's cherished memory (being usually romantic) has no price. Speaking of those existing aged buildings, one could not help thinking that "older is better". At various points, age appears to be best: old wood best to burn, old wine to drink, old friends to trust, old authors to read, and of course old buildings to admire. It is joyful to admire with awe such old buildings as temples, churches, government and cultural establishments, etc., because these structures provide an insight into the history, indicating how people once upon a time lived their lives. Therefore, it would be sad to see those buildings destroyed along with all the heritages. This explains why historic buildings everywhere ought to be preserved.
History does not stand in the way of progress no more than does beauty hurt the eye of the beholder. And, given that progress implies change, it makes no sense whatever trying to change a thing of so much beauty characteristic of so much historic significance. However, for security reasons, some old buildings need to be maintained to prevent them from decline and fall. In some cases, renovation is necessary, which means breathing new air into old buildings and keeping their original beauty, but which does not mean replacing them with modern ones. That said, in no way history hinders progress, and in fact it is the opposite because protecting old buildings does not discourage modernization. After all, history is a lovely mirror of human progress.
Overall, keeping alive those old buildings in all their beauty as part of history is a critical way to understand the world in progress from the past to the present. Analogically, to get rid of these human heritages is to destroy lovely works of art or expressions of beauty. Here, it is worth recalling John Keats' romantic line: " A thing of beauty is a joy forever; its loveliness increases". (Essay created by Jeenn Lee Hsieh, ielts360toefl@hotmail.com )
>Model Essay (from www.ieltsbuddy.com --Free Online IELTS Advice)
Most nations around the world have at least some, or possibly many, old buildings such as temples, churches and houses in their cities, villages and surrounding areas which have historical significance. In my opinion, it is very important to maintain these, but this does not mean progress should stop.
Preserving certain old buildings is important for several reasons. Firstly, these structures provide an insight into the history if our countries, showing us how people many centuries ago lived their lives. Without them, we could only learn by books, and it would undoubtedly be sad if this were the only way to see them. Many of these buildings are also very beautiful. Take for example the many religious buildings such as churches and temples that we see around the world. Not only this, but on a more practical level, many of these buildings provide important income to a country as many tourists visit them in great numbers.
However, this certainly does not mean that modernization should be discouraged. I believe that old buildings can be protected in tandem with progress. For example, in many circumstances we see old historic buildings being renovated whist maintaining their original character, and used for modern purposes. Also, in no way does history hinder progress, and in fact it is the opposite. By studying and learning about our history, we understand more about the world we live in, and this helps us to build a better future.
To conclude, I believe that it is very important to protect and preserve old buildings as we can learn about our history as can others from other countries. Such knowledge can also help us to understand how to modernize our countries in the best way. (Words 287)
