IELTS Cue Card Question 873 With Model Answer

Talk about a historical building in your country or city that you know

: You should say

what and where is it
when was it built? Why
what is it known for
and describe this historic building

: Model Answer

History talks about the past. It narrates the events that have gone by. Usually, humans cannot go back to the past but could have a look on the relics to learn and imagine about the past. Usually, the historical buildings remember the past events when people go visiting the places

In my country, South Africa, we have some historical places and structures and among them, the ‘Union Buildings’ is considered as one of the most important historical places in the country and the centre of politics in the country. Actually, the building is the official place for the government of South Africa and simultaneously the President resides in the house. The house is situated in Pretoria by covering the largest space in the locality under Arcadia and is adjacently accompanied by Church Square (another historical place of the country) and another monument named Voortrekker Monument. The building is a South African national heritage site and once it was the largest building the entire country and region

The building was founded in 1910 (in fact the foundation stone was set up on the spot it is standing today) after lots of speculation. It was necessary to establish a building like that to run all the necessary administrative activities of the country. In the beginning, the entire area was a colony and all the colonies started becoming united in 1910 and formed the Union of South Africa. The current location – Pretoria was considered as the administrative capital of the country. So, when the capital started working effectively, the requirement of a building to accommodate all the staffs, officials and host a new government was highly needed. Later, based on the Union Buildings, the entire city was planned

The building is mostly known for hosting the governmental offices and as the resident of the President of South Africa. A large number of political decisions have been taken and implemented from the building and it has been serving as the nucleus of politics in South Africa. Moreover, the building is the sign of the finest architecture in South Africa in terms of different attractive internal decorations and establishments

The ‘Union Buildings’ has a unique design with fountains, pools, trees, an amphitheatre and the interior design is based on the Cape Dutch Style. All the doors of the building are made with heavy timbers and furniture is also made with similar woods for durability with the Rhodesian teak. Indigenous materials have also been used to beautify the interior. Granite and sandstones have been used for making the courtyards. The building is named after the Union of South Africa which was founded in 1910 by the unification of the then colonies. Over 1000 workers, artisans and workmen have worked for over three years to make the building and the building was done by 1913. The structure was designed by Sir Herbert Baker

With the emerging demands, the house was allotted to the President of South Africa although in the beginning it was aimed to house the Public Service of the Union of South Africa. Regarding the construction, imported materials have been used but the traditional South African materials have also been prioritised. The architecture is the blend of Italian and English renaissance with the association of Cape Dutch impression