- What is beauty?

(Writing
•ffii
....,.- -· ) 1 Work in pairs. Discuss the task below and decide what kind of statement is given in the
task beginning 'Some people think ... '.

WRITING TASK 2
You should spend about 40 minutes on this task.
Write about the following topic:

Some people think it is important to keep and maintain old buildings rather
than replacing them with modern buildings.
To what extent do you agree or disagree?

Give reasons for your answer and include any relevant examples from your own
knowledge or experience.
Write at least 250 words.

2 Work in pairs. Make a list of ideas about keeping and maintaining old buildings and
about replacing them with modern buildings. If necessary, use the ideas in the box
below. When you have finished, change partners and discuss.

built/natural environment educate in general about the past

respect buildings/property appreciate beauty
pride in one's heritage protect environment helps relaxation
promote mental/physical health

3 Work in groups. Write an outline of the essay with an introduction, a topic sentence for
each body paragraph and a conclusion.

4 You can use particular words and phrases to show the effects or consequences of
something, for example, affect, make, produce, lead to, have an effect/impact on, result in.
To describe effects and consequences you can also use adjectives from previous units,
for example, exciting, exhilarating, interesting.
Work in pairs. For 1-6 below, decide the order of a and b so that they make sense.
1 a and so urban neighbourhoods where people live are being made more appealing
b everything in the physical world makes an impression on us directly or indirectly
2 a people are able to see and appreciate different buildings in cities all around the world
b thanks to cheap travel and the internet
3 a some countries are now showcasing their national heritage by renovating old buildings
b leading to pride in their national standing
4 a for example a park could be opened and trees could be planted
b and then the health of the people in that district of the city would be improved
5 a the lack of space in many towns and cities has saved many old buildings
b with planners turning to renovation rather than erecting something new
6 a people are happier and are now more productive in many urban areas
b as a result of turning old ruins into gardens

124
 What is beauty? -

5 For 1-6 in exercise 4:

a decide which part of the text, a or b, describes the 'cause: and which describes the 'effect:
b underline the words and phrases which indicate 'cause'. Then� the words
and phrases which indicate 'effect:
c decide if there are any sentences where no linking words are used to indicate a cause or
effect.
d decide if any of the linking words can be removed without affecting the connection.

6 Work in pairs. For 1-5 below, complete the gaps with one phrase from box A and one
phrase from box B. There may be more than one possible answer. Each phrase can be
used more than once.

A with there are, as a result, which in turn thanks to

B has a positive effect shouldn't have relaxed are focusing on

now lighten up should be attractive

1 For example, the government ________ the restrictions on building in green

spaces in the city. very few places for people to relax.

2 The built environment in modern cities ________ to the people that live
there, but often it is overwhelming skyscrapers, which shut out
the light.

3 ________ new construction techniques and materials, modern buildings

________ cities and make them attractive.

4 It is obvious that beauty ________ on people's well-being, ________

increases their happiness and productivity.

5 ________ increased awareness of the impact that healthy environments

have on employees, more and more architects ________ design now
and not just function.

7 Work in pairs. Make notes for the Task 2 question on page 210. Make a list of ideas about
the built environment and the natural environment. If necessary, use the ideas in the box
on page 124. When you have finished, change partners and explain your ideas.

8 Write your answer to the Task 2 question on page 210. When you have finished, check your
answer using the checklist on page 139.

125