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Preserving old buildings

Some people believe that certain old buildings should be preserved more than others. What types of old buildings should be preserved? Do you think the advantages of preserving old buildings outweigh the disadvantages? 

Many feel that only certain historic structures warrant restoration and rehabilitation.  In my opinion, despite high maintenance costs, the economic implications and sense of identity that these buildings ideally evoke make this initiative unequivocally positive. 

Proponents of preserving old buildings typically argue their significant historical importance. These structures are remnants of bygone eras, providing visitors a glimpse into the past and engendering a sense of community within any given population. A pertinent example of this fact is Hoa Lo prison in Vietnam, where figures of national heroes on display are preserved by local authorities in order to evoke feelings of belonging and attachment in visitors. Relatedly, these buildings are irreplaceable as it is nearly impossible to achieve the same level of high-quality workmanship with modern materials and labor. For instance, the construction of enduring artistic structures ranging from Blue Mosque and  Buckingham Palace to the Taj Mahal and the pyramids are impossible without highly-skilled masons, woodcarvers and sculptors. 

Those who argue against the preservation of old buildings generally point to their high maintenance costs. The upkeep for historic buildings requires tremendous levels of craftsmanship and decorative materials that are prohibitively expensive. The best evidence of this reality is statistics that show the overwhelming costs to maintain stained glass, ornamental plaster, and chandeliers in the Palace of Versailles. Nonetheless, the uniqueness of these structures attract tourists globally and therefore far outweighs the negative financial repercussions. Similar popular tourist attractions like Gothic cathedrals in Western Europe promote tourism, generating millions of dollars and contributing significantly to economic growth. 

In conclusion,  although the maintenance of most historical buildings is costly, the economic implications concomitant with these structures make this decision eminently sensible. Governments should always place great emphasis on preserving historically important buildings. 

Words: 290 

Historic lịch sử (quan trọng) 

Warrant khiến điều gì đó là cần thiết

Restoration sự phục hồi 

Rehabilitation sự cải tạo 

Maintenance bảo trì 

Economic implications tác động kinh tế 

Identity danh tính 

Evoke gợi nên

Initiative phương án / kế hoạch 

Unequivocally hoàn toàn 

Proponents người ủng hộ 

Remnants những thứ còn lại 

Bygone eras kỷ nguyên đã qua 

Glimpse cái nhìn thoáng qua 

On display được trưng bày 

National heroes anh hùng dân tộc 

Preserved được giữ gìn 

Local authorities chính quyền địa phương 

Attachment gắn bó 

Irreplaceable không thể thay thế được 

Workmanship sự khéo léo 

Enduring có tình trường tồn 

Artistic mang tính nghệ thuật

Masons thợ cắt đá 

Woodcarvers thợ chạm khắc gỗ 

Sculptors thợ điêu khắc 

Preservation sự giữ gìn 

Upkeep việc bảo trì 

Prohibitively expensive cực kỳ đắt 

Overwhelming costs chi phí rất cao 

Stained glass kính màu

Ornamental plaster thạch cao trang trí 

Chandeliers đèn chùm 

Nonetheless tuy nhiên 

Uniqueness sự độc nhất 

Financial repercussions hậu quả tài chính 

Outweigh trội hơn 

Tourist attractions điểm thu hút khách du lịch 

Cathedrals nhà thờ lớn  

Concomitant with liên quan đến

Eminently rõ ràng 

Sensible hợp lý 

Place great emphasis đặt nhiều trọng tâm vào 

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