Describe a Tall Building in your Hometown you Like or Dislike - IELTS Speaking Part 2 & 3

Since buildings are a visible part of every city, one of the recent IELTS topics in IELTS Speaking tests for cue cards that you may encounter is ‘Describe a tall building in your hometown you like or dislike’. This topic tests not only your ability to describe physical features but also your skills in expressing personal opinions, justifications, and comparisons. 

Therefore, in this blog, we will have a look at the sample answers on the IELTS cue card topic, ‘Describe a tall building in your hometown you like or dislike’, along with Part 3 questions and relevant vocabulary to brush up on your speaking skills.

Describe a Tall Building in your Hometown you Like or Dislike 

In the IELTS Speaking Part 2 test, when you are answering the cue card topic ‘Describe a Tall Building in your Hometown you Like or Dislike’, the examiner wants to see how well you can talk about it with fluency and detail. To score high, you need to focus on description, emotions, and logical reasoning rather than giving a short or generic response.  

Now, let us explore the sample answers to this cue card, which will help you structure your response effectively.

Describe a Tall Building in your Hometown You Like or Dislike - Sample Answer 1

• Where is it?

Tall buildings often tend to enchant people and vouch for their prosperity and infrastructural development. There are a lot of skyscrapers in Indore and in our locality, there is a building with the name ‘Shivalik’. It is very tall, with approximately 23 floors, and often is a source of awe and amazement to the people.

• What is it used for?
• What it looks like?

The building contains a lot of apartments in it, and people often go agog to buy a flat for themselves in that building. It looks aesthetically pleasing and is very attractive and mind-boggling. One might even get a sprain in one’s neck while looking at the top of the building. The building has some exquisite paintings drawn all over it with some entrancing colours that give the eyes pleasure.

• And explain why you like/dislike it.

With all the magnificence and magniloquence set for the exterior looks of the building, I’m not too fond of it for a variety of reasons. First of all, the very fact that the people who used to live in the plot that building was constructed on had to be dislodged from that land. Secondly, no safety measure is taken for the people living on the higher floors. Over and above that, there is no restriction for the children to climb up the stairs of the terrace, which is highly perilous for the children there.

Describe a Tall Building in your Hometown You Like or Dislike - Sample Answer 2

• Where is it?

I’m going to describe a high-rise building in my neighborhood. It’s called Paradise Green City, located in Canada. Unlike other modern blocks, which are usually huge glass towers, the building is painted yellow, although it’s named Green City. 

• What is it used for?

The structure of Green City is not dissimilar to that of most buildings in Canada nowadays, with the bottom half used as a shopping center and the top half occupied by apartments. 

• What it looks like?

One feature that makes the building unique is that its trade center offers Canadian products only, with a view to promoting domestic products to Hanoi people and also to supporting national manufacturers. At the entrance of the building, if you look to the right, you can easily find a store named Masterchef Bread, which serves traditional bread to people who just do not have enough time to go inside, so they line up waiting to pay.

In spite of its prime location, however, Paradise Green City offers a reasonable price for its apartments, which are affordable for many middle-income families. From the building, we can enjoy the breathtaking scenery. So, if you are planning to find a place with a beautiful and peaceful view, or simply want to buy something traditional, Paradise Green City may be a good choice.

• And explain why you like/dislike it.

What I don’t like about Paradise Green City, however, is that its design is neither eye-catching nor original. In fact, I personally find that it resembles Times City, a modern building nearby. Moreover, the paint color doesn’t match its modern structures, which makes the building somehow old-fashioned. And the quality, as well as the diversity of products on sale, does not meet the expectations of most customers. So, I guess it’s the reason why the building doesn’t attract as much attention from the public as expected.

Describe a Tall Building in your Hometown You Like or Dislike - Sample Answer 3

One tall building that I really like in my hometown is the Burj Khalifa in Dubai. Although it is famous worldwide, for me, it stands out because of its incredible height and modern architecture. The building is mainly used for offices, hotels, and observation decks for tourists, so it attracts both locals and visitors.

The Burj Khalifa is truly impressive. It has a sleek, tapering design that seems to reach the sky, with a shiny glass facade that reflects sunlight beautifully. From a distance, it dominates the skyline, and up close, it feels even more astonishing because of the intricate details and enormous scale.

I like this building because it represents innovation and ambition. Every time I see it, I feel inspired by human creativity and engineering skills. It is not only functional but also visually stunning, making it one of the landmarks I am proud of in my hometown.

Vocabulary for Describe a Tall Building in your Hometown you Like or Dislike IELTS Cue Card

We have listed some of the latest IELTS speaking vocabulary to boost your score that we have used in the above sample answers to boost your score. You can also use them in your Describe a Tall Building in your Hometown you Like or Dislike answer.

Describe a Tall Building in your Hometown you Like or Dislike – IELTS Cue Card Part 3 Follow-Up Questions

To be better prepared, review the IELTS Speaking Part 3 questions related to the Describe a Tall Building in Your Hometown You Like or Dislike IELTS cue card given below, and then try to develop your own sample answers.

• Compare the differences between the constructions in your city with them in 20 years ago. Describe the building styles in detail.

Buildings that were made almost a decade or two ago were majorly horizontal buildings that used to take up a lot of space and, at the same time, were not very tall. Contrastingly, the buildings that we see today are vertical buildings and are very lofty, with a lot of apartments aimed at accommodating numerous people.

• What are people’s attitudes toward old buildings today and that of our later generation? Should we protect them? Why?

• What role dо уоu thіnk thе оld and modern buildings play іn thе society?

In my opinion, old buildings play the role of preserving history, culture, and traditions, giving communities a sense of identity and continuity. In contrast, modern buildings symbolize progress, innovation, and economic growth, meeting the practical needs of contemporary society. Together, they create a balance between heritage and development.

• Compare thе differences bеtwееn house аnd apartment.

In my country, a house usually offers more privacy, space, and independence, often with a garden or yard, making it ideal for families who prefer a quieter lifestyle. An apartment, on the other hand, is part of a larger building, generally smaller in size, and provides shared facilities like security, parking, and sometimes gyms or pools. While houses require more maintenance, apartments are often more convenient and affordable in urban areas.

Vocabulary for Describe a Tall Building in your Hometown you Like or Dislike IELTS Speaking Part 3 

You can use the following words to answer the Part 3 questions for 'Describe a Tall Building in your Hometown you Like or Dislike' in order to boost your IELTS vocabulary.

• Lofty – very tall or high; elevated in height or ambition.
  Example: Modern skyscrapers are lofty structures designed to accommodate many people.
• Primordial – existing from the very beginning; ancient or original.
  Example: Everything primordial and old has a sense of intrigue and marvel.
• Awestriking – inspiring feelings of awe; very impressive.
  Example: The ancient fort was awestriking with its intricate carvings.
• Enraptured – completely delighted or fascinated.
  Example: Tourists were enraptured by the beauty of the traditional palace.
• Opulence – great wealth, luxury, or richness.
  Example: The old buildings reflect the opulence of past eras.
• Cultural heritage – traditions, monuments, and objects inherited from the past.
  Example: Old buildings represent the cultural heritage of a city.
• Tangiblе links – real or concrete connections, especially to history or traditions.
  Example: Preserving ancient architecture provides tangible links to our past.
• Commodious – spacious and convenient.
  Example: Houses are generally more commodious than apartments.
• Distended – stretched out, expanded, or enlarged.
  Example: A house is a more distended form of living space compared to an apartment.
• Foster – to encourage or promote the development of something.
  Example: Protecting old buildings helps foster a sense of cultural identity.

To conclude, the cue card on tall buildings is not just about describing a structure; it is about expressing your feelings and opinions connected to it. Whether you choose a building you like or dislike, make sure to include details about its location, design, purpose, and impact on your city. So, in IELTS Speaking, expanding your answer with personal emotions, comparisons, and examples will help you reach a higher band score.

Useful Links:

• IELTS Speaking Part 2 & 3: Describe a New Public Building in Your Place
• Describe a Modern Building – IELTS Cue Card Sample Answers
• Describe an old building that you like - IELTS Cue Card
• Buildings and Architecture - IELTS Speaking Part 3 Sample Answer
• How to Agree and Disagree in IELTS Speaking?
• Self-Introduction for IELTS Speaking Test: A Complete Guide