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Describe an unusual building you have visited. v.1

Describe an unusual building you have visited. v. 1
Describe an unusual building you have visited. You should say: where it is how it looks like why you went there and explain why you think it was unusual. Model Answer 1: Buildings are strange things, they are easy to take for granted if they are the ones you live near to and pass by every day, but some buildings are really remarkable, and not always for outwardly obvious reasons. It would be easy to pick an ‘unusual’ building that has an extraordinary external architecture, and of course, they can be remarkable, impressive and on occasion beautiful. However, the building I want to talk about is certainly unusual, unique even, but you wouldn’t necessarily know this unless you went inside. So I’ll tell you where it is and what it looks like, why I went there, and explain what it is that makes it so rare. The building is in Sheffield where I live. It is a large tower block and as well as being the second tallest building in the city I am told it is the tallest university building in the UK. It is known as 'The Arts Tower', because those are the subjects that were originally taught inside its four walls. Degrees like modern languages, philosophy and other Humanities disciplines. It is a classic 60’s tower, twenty stories high and constructed of concrete and glass. Honestly, it’s not particularly attractive - not in my eyes anyway, though it is typical of that era in architectural terms. Even so, it is something of a local landmark, because it is so high you can see it from almost anywhere in the city. It has so many glass windows that in certain lights the building seems to change colour as they reflect the light of the skies outside. It can look like burnished gold in sunset, or in the dark, when the internal lights are on, it is lit up like a Christmas Tree. I wouldn’t call it beautiful, but it is striking. However, these factors, ‘though ‘interesting’, aren’t what make the building so unusual. The reason I made a special visit to see inside it, is because of what lies within… The building was constructed with a really rare and unusual elevator. It’s called a Paternoster Lift, and before I moved to Sheffield I’d never even heard of one. They are a little tricky to describe, but I’ll have a go! Essentially, a paternoster lift is a passenger elevator which consists of a chain of open compartments (each usually designed for two persons) that move slowly in a loop up and down inside a building without stopping. Passengers can step on or off at any floor they like, but the lift just keeps moving so they have to be quick! There are no sliding doors to shut you in the elevator, you just step in the opening and stand in it until it reaches the floor you want, when you carefully step out as the chain of ‘boxes’ just carries on in slow but continuous motion. The design is pretty ancient, going back to the 1880s, so at the time they were first created they must have seemed extraordinarily innovative, but now the lift is unusual because it is such historic engineering. Very few of the lifts survive because of safety concerns - the continuous motion and open ‘doors’ means people can fall going in and out, and a few years ago someone was actually killed using one getting caught in the mechanism somehow as the compartment they were in transitioned from going up one side to going down in the loop the other at the top of the lift. Sheffield, however, has kept its paternoster lift and kept it in working order too. I think it might be the largest one in the world, at 38 separate compartments (or maybe they should be called carriages), but it is definitely the largest in the UK. I made a special visit to the building to try out the lift with a friend. In such a technological age where we take things like escalators – even flying for granted, it was a strangely unsettling experience. It actually took a little while to pluck up the courage to step into the moving platform as it passes by as you have to time your entrance quite carefully. Similarly, you need to judge it carefully getting off, too slow and there isn’t time to jump before you are taken off to the next floor, too fast and you might bump your head as the opening isn’t quite clear. There is a definite knack to it! It was like travelling back in time, you could imagine people in Victorian times in England being astonished at such extraordinary technology, it is impressive now – it must have been mind-blowing then! So I think this building is unusual because it contains a piece of living history. A working paternoster lift that is possibly unique in size, and certainly extremely rare. The building also has a couple of conventional elevators now, as well as stairs for people to use. However, the paternoster lift is still there, turning slowly, and it is quite fun to have a ride, like travelling back in time on an ancient fairground ride! The building is also a rather literal reminder that you shouldn’t make assumptions only by what is most obvious – you just wouldn’t know from the unpromising exterior of the Arts Tower what lies within! Sometimes if you look beneath the surface a little, very remarkable things emerge. Hence the saying ‘don’t judge a book by its cover! ’ [ Written by - Lucy Marris: Careers Adviser (UK), TEFL teacher (Vietnam) ]
This phrase/word (depending on the context) can be potentially replaced with :
Describe
an
You use this word too often, consider replacing it with
unusual
You use this word too often, consider replacing it with
building
you have visited. You should say: where it is how it
You use this word too often, consider replacing it with
looks
like why you went there and
This phrase/word (depending on the context) can be potentially replaced with :
explain
why you
This phrase/word (depending on the context) can be potentially replaced with :
think
it was
You use this word too often, consider replacing it with
unusual
. Model Answer
You use this word too often, consider replacing it with
1: Buildings
are strange things, they are easy to take for granted if they are the ones you
This phrase/word (depending on the context) can be potentially replaced with :
live
near to and pass by every day,
This phrase/word is too simple and can be replaced with:
but
This phrase/word is too simple and can be replaced with:
some
You use this word too often, consider replacing it with
buildings
are
really
remarkable, and not always for
outwardly
obvious reasons. It would be easy to pick an
You use this word too often, consider replacing it with
‘unusual’
You use this word too often, consider replacing it with
building
that has an extraordinary external architecture, and
of course
, they can be remarkable, impressive and on occasion
This phrase/word (depending on the context) can be potentially replaced with :
beautiful
.
However
, the
You use this word too often, consider replacing it with
building
I want to talk about is
certainly
You use this word too often, consider replacing it with
unusual
, unique even,
This phrase/word is too simple and can be replaced with:
but
you wouldn’t
necessarily
know this unless you went
You use this word too often, consider replacing it with
inside
.
So
I’ll
This phrase/word (depending on the context) can be potentially replaced with :
tell
you where it is and what it
You use this word too often, consider replacing it with
looks
like, why I went there, and
This phrase/word (depending on the context) can be potentially replaced with :
explain
what it is that
This phrase/word (depending on the context) can be potentially replaced with :
makes
it
so
rare. The
You use this word too often, consider replacing it with
building
is in Sheffield where I
This phrase/word (depending on the context) can be potentially replaced with :
live
. It is a large tower block and as
well
as being the second tallest
You use this word too often, consider replacing it with
building
in the city I am
This phrase/word (depending on the context) can be potentially replaced with :
told
it is the tallest university
You use this word too often, consider replacing it with
building
in the UK. It
is known
as 'The Arts Tower',
This phrase/word is too simple and can be replaced with:
because
those are the subjects that were
originally
taught
You use this word too often, consider replacing it with
inside
its four walls. Degrees like modern languages, philosophy and other Humanities disciplines. It is a classic
Apostrophes aren't needed for decades: "60s".
60’s
tower, twenty stories high and constructed of concrete and glass.
Honestly
, it’s not
particularly
attractive
Consider using an m-dash if you do not want to join two words.
-
not in my eyes
anyway
, though it is typical of that era in architectural terms. Even
so
, it is something of a local landmark,
This phrase/word is too simple and can be replaced with:
because
it is
so
high you can
This phrase/word (depending on the context) can be potentially replaced with :
see
it from almost anywhere in the city. It has
so
This phrase/word is too simple and can be replaced with:
many
glass windows that in certain lights the
You use this word too often, consider replacing it with
building
seems to
This phrase/word (depending on the context) can be potentially replaced with :
change
Possible spelling mistake. 'colour' is British English.
colour
as they reflect the light of the skies outside. It can
You use this word too often, consider replacing it with
look
like burnished gold in sunset, or in the dark, when the internal lights are on, it is lit up like a Christmas Tree. I wouldn’t call it
This phrase/word (depending on the context) can be potentially replaced with :
beautiful
,
This phrase/word is too simple and can be replaced with:
but
it is striking.
However
, these factors, ‘though ‘interesting’, aren’t what
This phrase/word (depending on the context) can be potentially replaced with :
make
the
You use this word too often, consider replacing it with
building
so
You use this word too often, consider replacing it with
unusual
. The reason I made a special visit to
This phrase/word (depending on the context) can be potentially replaced with :
see
You use this word too often, consider replacing it with
inside
it, is
This phrase/word is too simple and can be replaced with:
because
of what lies within… The
You use this word too often, consider replacing it with
building
was constructed
with a
really
rare and
You use this word too often, consider replacing it with
unusual
You use this word too often, consider replacing it with
elevator
. It’s called a Paternoster Lift, and
This phrase/word is too simple and can be replaced with:
before
I
This phrase/word (depending on the context) can be potentially replaced with :
moved
to Sheffield I’d never even heard of one. They are a
This phrase/word is too simple and can be replaced with:
little
tricky to
This phrase/word (depending on the context) can be potentially replaced with :
describe
,
This phrase/word is too simple and can be replaced with:
but
I’ll have a go!
Essentially
, a paternoster lift is a passenger
You use this word too often, consider replacing it with
elevator
which consists of a chain of open compartments (each
usually
designed for two persons) that
This phrase/word (depending on the context) can be potentially replaced with :
move
slowly
in a loop up and down
You use this word too often, consider replacing it with
inside
a
You use this word too often, consider replacing it with
building
without stopping. Passengers can
You use this word too often, consider replacing it with
step
on or off at any floor they like,
This phrase/word is too simple and can be replaced with:
but
the lift
This phrase/word is too simple and can be replaced with:
just
This phrase/word (depending on the context) can be potentially replaced with :
keeps
moving
so
they
This phrase/word is too simple and can be replaced with:
have to
be quick! There are no sliding doors to shut you in the
You use this word too often, consider replacing it with
elevator
, you
This phrase/word is too simple and can be replaced with:
just
You use this word too often, consider replacing it with
step
in the opening and stand in it until it reaches the floor you want, when you
carefully
You use this word too often, consider replacing it with
step
out as the chain of ‘boxes’
This phrase/word is too simple and can be replaced with:
just
carries on in slow
This phrase/word is too simple and can be replaced with:
but
continuous motion. The design is pretty ancient, going back to the 1880s,
so
at the
You use this word too often, consider replacing it with
time
they were
first
created they
This phrase/word (depending on the context) can be potentially replaced with :
must
have seemed
extraordinarily
innovative,
This phrase/word is too simple and can be replaced with:
but
This phrase/word (depending on the context) can be potentially replaced with :
now
the lift is
You use this word too often, consider replacing it with
unusual
This phrase/word is too simple and can be replaced with:
because
it is such historic engineering.
This phrase/word is too simple and can be replaced with:
Very
few of the lifts survive
This phrase/word is too simple and can be replaced with:
because
of safety concerns
Consider using an m-dash if you do not want to join two words.
-
the continuous motion and open ‘doors’ means
This phrase/word (depending on the context) can be potentially replaced with :
people
can fall going in and out, and a few years ago someone was
actually
killed using one getting caught in the mechanism somehow as the compartment they were in transitioned from going up one side to going down in the loop the other at the top of the lift. Sheffield,
however
, has
This phrase/word (depending on the context) can be potentially replaced with :
kept
its paternoster lift and
This phrase/word (depending on the context) can be potentially replaced with :
kept
it in working order too. I
This phrase/word (depending on the context) can be potentially replaced with :
think
it might be the largest one in the world, at 38 separate compartments (or maybe they should
be called
carriages),
This phrase/word is too simple and can be replaced with:
but
it is definitely the largest in the UK. I made a special visit to the
You use this word too often, consider replacing it with
building
to try out the lift with a friend. In such a technological age where we take things like escalators
Consider using an m-dash if you do not want to join two words.
–
even flying for granted, it was a
strangely
unsettling experience. It
actually
took a
This phrase/word is too simple and can be replaced with:
little
while to pluck up the courage to
You use this word too often, consider replacing it with
step
into the moving platform as it passes by as you
This phrase/word is too simple and can be replaced with:
have to
You use this word too often, consider replacing it with
time
your entrance quite
carefully
.
Similarly
, you need to judge it
carefully
getting off, too slow and there isn’t
You use this word too often, consider replacing it with
time
to jump
This phrase/word is too simple and can be replaced with:
before
you
are taken
off to the
next
floor, too
This phrase/word is too simple and can be replaced with:
fast
and you might bump your head as the opening isn’t quite
This phrase/word (depending on the context) can be potentially replaced with :
clear
. There is a
This phrase/word is too simple and can be replaced with:
definite
knack to it! It was like travelling back in
You use this word too often, consider replacing it with
time
, you could imagine
This phrase/word (depending on the context) can be potentially replaced with :
people
in Victorian
You use this word too often, consider replacing it with
times
in England
being astonished
at such extraordinary technology, it is impressive
This phrase/word (depending on the context) can be potentially replaced with :
now
Consider using an m-dash if you do not want to join two words.
–
it
This phrase/word (depending on the context) can be potentially replaced with :
must
have been mind-blowing then!
So
I
This phrase/word (depending on the context) can be potentially replaced with :
think
this
You use this word too often, consider replacing it with
building
is
You use this word too often, consider replacing it with
unusual
This phrase/word is too simple and can be replaced with:
because
it contains a piece of living history. A working paternoster lift
that is
possibly
A more concise phrase may lose no meaning and sound more powerful.
unique in size
, and
certainly
extremely
rare. The
You use this word too often, consider replacing it with
building
also
has a couple of conventional
You use this word too often, consider replacing it with
elevators
This phrase/word (depending on the context) can be potentially replaced with :
now
, as
well
as stairs for
This phrase/word (depending on the context) can be potentially replaced with :
people
to
This phrase/word (depending on the context) can be potentially replaced with :
use
.
However
, the paternoster lift is
still
there, turning
slowly
, and it is quite fun to have a ride, like travelling back in
You use this word too often, consider replacing it with
time
on an ancient fairground ride! The
You use this word too often, consider replacing it with
building
is
also
a
rather
literal reminder that you shouldn’t
This phrase/word (depending on the context) can be potentially replaced with :
make
assumptions
This phrase/word (depending on the context) can be potentially replaced with :
only
by what is most obvious
Consider using an m-dash if you do not want to join two words.
–
you
This phrase/word is too simple and can be replaced with:
just
wouldn’t know from the unpromising exterior of the Arts Tower what lies within!
This phrase/word (depending on the context) can be potentially replaced with :
Sometimes
if you
You use this word too often, consider replacing it with
look
beneath the surface a
This phrase/word is too simple and can be replaced with:
little
,
This phrase/word is too simple and can be replaced with:
very
remarkable things emerge.
Did you forget a comma after a conjunctive/linking adverb?
Hence
the saying ‘don’t
judge a book by its cover
! ’
Don't put a space after the opening parenthesis
[
Written by
Consider using an m-dash if you do not want to join two words.
-
Lucy
Possible spelling mistake found.
Marris
: Careers Adviser (UK), TEFL teacher (Vietnam)
Don't put a space before the closing parenthesis
]
18Linking words, meeting the goal of 7 or more
46Repeated words, meeting the goal of 3 or fewer
14Mistakes
The joy of knowing a foreign language is inexpressible. I find it really difficult to express such joy in my mother tongue.
Munia Khan

IELTS speaking Describe an unusual building you have visited. v. 1

Speaking
  American English
2 paragraphs
950 words
5.5
Overall Band Score
Coherence and Cohesion: 5.5
  • Structure your answers in logical paragraphs
  • ?
    One main idea per paragraph
  • ?
    Include an introduction and conclusion
  • ?
    Support main points with an explanation and then an example
  • Use cohesive linking words accurately and appropriately
  • ?
    Vary your linking phrases using synonyms
Lexical Resource: 5.0
  • Try to vary your vocabulary using accurate synonyms
  • Use less common question specific words that accurately convey meaning
  • Check your work for spelling and word formation mistakes
Grammatical Range: 5.5
  • Use a variety of complex and simple sentences
  • Check your writing for errors
Task Achievement: 5.0
  • Answer all parts of the question
  • ?
    Present relevant ideas
  • Fully explain these ideas
  • ?
    Support ideas with relevant, specific examples
Labels Descriptions
  • ?
    Currently is not available
  • Meet the criteria
  • Doesn't meet the criteria
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