Part 2
Part 2 - Cue Card
Describe an unusual building you would like to visit
You should say:
- What building it is
- How you know about it
- What the building looks like
- And explain why you want to visit it
Part 2 Sample Response
I'd really love to visit the Marina Bay Sands in Singapore - it's this absolutely bizarre hotel that looks like... well, honestly, it looks like three towers with a massive boat balanced on top of them. I first saw it in some travel photos online, and I couldn't believe it was real.
The building itself is pretty wild - it's got three curved towers that lean slightly inward, and then there's this enormous rooftop structure called the SkyPark that connects all three buildings. The whole thing looks like it shouldn't even be standing, you know? It's got this infinity pool on top that seems to just drop off into nothing, which is... kind of terrifying but amazing at the same time.
I think what really draws me to it is how it completely defies what you'd expect a building to look like. Most hotels are just rectangular boxes, but this thing looks like something from a sci-fi movie. Plus, I've heard the view from the top is incredible - you can see the entire Singapore skyline and the ocean. I mean, imagine swimming in that infinity pool and feeling like you're floating above the city... it must be quite an experience. The whole concept is just so bold and different from anything we have in Vietnam.
Essential Vocabulary
Types of unusual buildings
- architectural marvel - amazing building design
- iconic structure - famous, recognizable building
- engineering feat - impressive technical achievement
- avant-garde design - very modern, experimental style
- gravity-defying architecture - buildings that seem impossible
- unconventional structure - building that's different from normal
- futuristic building - looks like it's from the future
- landmark building - important, well-known structure
- sustainable architecture - environmentally friendly design
- adaptive reuse project - old building with new purpose
Architectural features
- cantilevered sections - parts that stick out without support
- asymmetrical design - not balanced or symmetrical
- glass facade - front wall made of glass
- geometric patterns - shapes and mathematical designs
- curved surfaces - rounded, not straight walls
- steel framework - metal structure supporting building
- rooftop garden - plants growing on top of building
- open-plan interior - large spaces without walls
- panoramic windows - very large windows with wide views
- spiral staircase - stairs that curve around
How you discovered it
- stumbled across photos - found pictures by accident
- featured in documentary - shown in educational film
- trending on social media - popular online
- architectural magazine - publication about buildings
- travel blog recommendation - suggested by travel writer
- friend's Instagram post - saw on social media
- virtual tour online - explored digitally
- news article about - read story about it
- construction update - information about building progress
- design competition winner - won architecture award
Visual appearance
- mind-blowing design - incredibly impressive appearance
- looks surreal - seems unreal or dreamlike
- defies conventional logic - doesn't follow normal rules
- striking silhouette - impressive outline shape
- seamless integration - parts fit together perfectly
- bold geometric form - strong, angular shape
- impossible-looking structure - seems like it shouldn't exist
- breathtaking scale - impressively large size
- intricate details - complex, detailed features
- plays with light and shadow - creates interesting lighting effects
Reasons for wanting to visit
- experience firsthand - see and feel it myself
- architectural pilgrimage - special trip for building lovers
- bucket list destination - important place to visit
- once-in-a-lifetime opportunity - rare chance
- Instagram-worthy spot - good for photos
- challenge my perceptions - make me think differently
- appreciate the craftsmanship - admire the skilled work
- understand the vision - grasp the designer's idea
- witness innovation - see new ideas in action
- expand my horizons - learn and grow from experience
Emotional responses
- completely mesmerized by - fascinated and amazed
- can't wrap my head around - difficult to understand
- blown away by the concept - extremely impressed
- sparked my curiosity - made me interested
- left me speechless - too amazing for words
- captures the imagination - makes you dream
- pushes boundaries - goes beyond normal limits
- makes you question reality - seems unbelievable
- inspires wonder - creates feeling of amazement
- takes your breath away - stunning and surprising
Natural Spoken Phrases
- "What really gets me about..." highlighting impressive aspects
- "I can't even imagine..." expressing difficulty understanding
- "It's the kind of place that..." describing characteristics
- "I've always been fascinated by..." expressing long-term interest
- "What strikes me most is..." emphasizing key points
- "The thing that drew me to it was..." explaining attraction
- "Looking at pictures of it..." introducing visual experience
- "I have to admit..." acknowledging honest feelings
Part 3
Part 3 Discussion Questions
- Why do people choose to build houses by themselves?
- Do you think a city's buildings affect its vibe or atmosphere?
- Should old buildings be preserved?
- How do people in your country feel about old buildings?
- What would people normally consider when they rent or buy a house or an apartment?
Part 3 Sample Response
Absolutely, I think architecture plays a massive role in how a city feels. Take Ho Chi Minh City, for example - you've got these narrow, colorful shophouses mixed with modern skyscrapers, and it creates this really vibrant, chaotic energy that's... well, it's distinctly Vietnamese. Compare that to somewhere like Singapore with all its sleek, uniform high-rises, and the whole atmosphere feels much more orderly and controlled. Buildings basically tell the story of a place, don't they?
Essential Vocabulary
Self-building motivations
- creative control - ability to design exactly what you want
- cost-effectiveness - saving money by doing it yourself
- personal satisfaction - feeling good about your achievement
- customized living space - home made exactly for your needs
- investment opportunity - chance to make money
- family legacy - something to pass down generations
- sweat equity - value created through your own work
- quality assurance - ensuring good materials and workmanship
- timeline flexibility - building at your own pace
- unique design vision - creating something completely original
Buildings and city atmosphere
- architectural identity - distinctive building style of a place
- urban landscape - overall look of the city
- visual harmony - buildings that work well together
- cultural reflection - architecture showing local values
- skyline character - unique outline of city buildings
- spatial dynamics - how buildings affect movement and flow
- neighborhood personality - distinctive feel of different areas
- design cohesion - buildings that complement each other
- atmospheric influence - effect on mood and feelings
- built environment - all the constructed surroundings
Historic preservation
- cultural heritage - important traditions and history
- architectural significance - importance of building design
- historical value - worth because of past events
- restoration costs - money needed to fix old buildings
- adaptive reuse - using old buildings for new purposes
- heritage conservation - protecting important old structures
- demolition pressure - forces wanting to tear down buildings
- development balance - managing old and new construction
- tourist attractions - old buildings that bring visitors
- maintenance burden - ongoing cost of keeping buildings
Attitudes toward old buildings
- nostalgic appreciation - loving buildings for sentimental reasons
- practical concerns - worrying about usefulness and safety
- modernization pressure - desire to replace with new buildings
- cultural pride - feeling good about historic architecture
- economic considerations - thinking about money and costs
- aesthetic preferences - what people think looks good
- functionality issues - problems with how old buildings work
- conservation awareness - understanding importance of preservation
- heritage tourism - old buildings bringing money through visitors
- generational differences - young and old people thinking differently
Housing decisions
- location convenience - easy access to work, schools, shops
- price affordability - whether you can pay for it
- size requirements - having enough space for needs
- transportation links - good connections to buses, trains
- neighborhood safety - feeling secure in the area
- future investment potential - whether value will increase
- amenities nearby - facilities like parks, hospitals, shopping
- school districts - quality of local education
- parking availability - having place for car
- natural lighting - good sunlight coming into home
Natural Spoken Phrases
- "I think architecture plays a massive role in..." emphasizing importance
- "Take [place] for example..." giving specific examples
- "Compare that to..." making contrasts
- "The whole atmosphere feels..." describing overall impression
- "Buildings basically tell the story of..." explaining significance
- "You've got to balance..." discussing competing factors
- "From a practical standpoint..." considering realistic aspects
- "The reality is that..." stating facts
- "It's all about finding the right..." discussing solutions
- "At the end of the day..." summarizing main point