IELTS SPEAKING CUE CARD
[PART 2]
A BUILDING THAT YOU LIKE
Describe a building that you like
You should say:
- What it looks like
- Where it is
- What it is used for
And explain why you like it
A N S W E R
As I’m into architectural design, talking about this topic shouldn’t be rocket science. Let me tell you about the skyscraper in Dubai which is internationally known as Burj Khalifa and originally called Burj Dubai. This building is considered the tallest in the world and is close to 3000 feet in height. Two years ago, I had my business trip in Dubai which was held in the Armani Hotel which is situated inside the Burj Khalifa building. I was mesmerized by its design since it’s the ultimate symbol of glitz and glamor.
LEXICAL RESOURCE
I’m into [expression] – another way to say ‘I’m interested’
Rocket science [noun] – very difficult
Skyscraper [noun] – building with many storeys
Mesmerize [verb] – hypnotize; fascinate
Glitz [noun] – extravagant display; to have an attractive appearance
Glamor [noun] – appealing
The exterior appearance of the building is similar to that of a needle. Its base has a tripartite geometry which I heard was intentionally designed that way to optimize the residential and hotel spaces. This building has around 200 storeys and only 160 storeys are habitable if I’m not wrong. Due to the enormous number of floors, the building is equipped with 57 elevators and 8 escalators, to be exact. As you know, Dubai’s temperature is terribly scorching, the cladding system is designed in order to withstand the extreme weather conditions during summer.
LEXICAL RESOURCE
Exterior [adj.] – outside
Tripartite [adj.] – to have three parts
Optimize [verb] – make use of something effectively
Habitable [adj.] – fit to live
Enormous [adj.] – many
Scorching [adj.] – very hot
Cladding system [noun] – the application of one material over another in order to resist the harsh weather
Withstand [verb] – to resist
I fell in love with this building from the very first time I stayed in the Armani Hotel in Burj. This building is all-in-one! There are hotels, residences, swimming pools, excellent restaurants, and an observatory deck which is for me the best part since one can see the whole view of Dubai. And it is spectacular during the night as the city lights enveloped the whole city. One day, I would love to pay a visit to that posh building again and explore its beauty even more. However, to make that a reality I should double my effort in working since everything in there costs an arm and a leg.
LEXICAL RESOURCE
All-in-one [adj] – almost all purposes combined in one
Spectacular [adj.] – magnificent; gorgeous; beautiful
Envelop [verb] – cover or wrap something
Posh [adj.] – elegant; stylish
Cost an arm and a leg [idiom] – very expensive
PART 3 – Focuses on OLD
BUILDINGS
Is it important to preserve old buildings?
Well, I believe it depends on what kind of buildings they are. If we talk about buildings with historical value, then it is the government’s obligation to protect and preserve them. Historical buildings reflect culture, tradition, or lifestyle. The building itself is a story of how people in the past lived their lives and that is a valuable fact that the young generation should understand.
For example, in this country, New Zealand, which was once a colony of Britain, you can see that the architecture of most buildings is greatly influenced by Gothic or Romanesque design – buildings have semi-circular or pointed arches, large windows, and spires. These should be preserved as they are a country’s treasure, other than that, some existing old buildings need not be preserved.
LEXICAL RESOURCE
Historical value [noun] – the significance of a building as it represents the history of a place
Obligation [noun] – responsibility
Colony [noun] – a country that is under the control of another
Other than that [phrase] – except that
Do you think old and young people in your country have the same viewpoint about old buildings?
I believe both have a different attitude towards old buildings since each generation has a different perspective on almost all things and buildings are not an exemption.
I suppose most elderly people value those kinds of buildings as they have valuable memories. For instance, it would be disheartening for them to see an old building in their neighborhood being demolished since at some point in their lives it has become a part of their lives. As we know the majority of the elderly are sentimental.
On the other hand, young people tend to care less about those types of buildings as they have nothing to do with their lives, considering the character of the young, they always want something new or unique to their very eyes. So I am confident to say that they do not have any special feelings for buildings that are already outdated.
LEXICAL RESOURCE
Perspective [noun] – opinion
Dishearten [verb] – discourage; to be depressed
Demolish [verb] – destroy
Sentimental [adj.] – emotional
Outdated [adj.] – old; out of style
What aspect of culture do old buildings reflect?
Well as I have mentioned earlier, if old buildings have historical significance then they symbolize the tradition or the lifestyle that people in the past had. Through those kinds of buildings, the young generation will have a glimpse of their own history. Although they did not experience how their ancestors lived their very lives, they will get an idea of what their life was like.
For instance, the Philippines was under the rule of Spaniards for three centuries, there are still buildings in that country that are of Spanish influence, and because of that, the new generation of Filipino people will understand and will continue to be reminded of what kind of life their ancestors had.
LEXICAL RESOURCE
A glimpse of/into [phrase] – an experience in which a person would get an idea of what something is like
Ancestor [noun] – a person from whom one is descended; a person in the past
Learn how to answer the recent
IELTS Speaking Part 1 topic
about
GET THE LATEST
REVIEWERS FOR PART 2 &
PART 3 Here!
Meaning of Words and Phrases Sources: Collins, Macmillan, Cambridge, Oxford
If you want to support my work, you can buy me A CUP OF COFFEE here:
https://www.buymeacoffee.com/ieltsdragon
Thank you so much!
