EN Understanding

IELTS Model Answers

A Historical Building You Admire

Academic

Speaking Part 2

PlacesCulture

Question

Describe a historical building that you admire. You should say where the building is and what it looks like. Explain what is interesting about this building and how you felt when you saw it.

Model Answer

I admire an old railway station in my city that was built over a hundred years ago. It has a tall clock tower and a very large hall with arched windows. Many people still use it every day. When I first visited I felt amazed because the ceiling is so high and detailed.

Glossary

historical building

A structure from the past that is preserved or valued for its age and design.

fin-de-siècle

French for 'end of the century'; often describes late 1800s style and culture.

engineering bravado

Bold, confident technical design that impresses by its scale or ambition.

When I first stepped beneath that vaulted concourse

Sets the scene for your emotional reaction in a narrative way.

I felt genuinely awestruck

Strong natural English for being deeply impressed or overwhelmed in a good way.

decorative arts

Design and craft applied to objects and interiors, such as metalwork and glass.

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