In IELTS Speaking tests, candidates are often asked to discuss aspects of their culture, including important rules or customs. This topic has appeared frequently in past exams and is likely to remain relevant in future tests. Being prepared to describe a national holiday in your country or discuss cultural norms can significantly boost your performance. Let’s explore how to effectively answer questions about important cultural rules in the IELTS Speaking exam.
Part 1: Introduction and Interview
In this section, the examiner may ask general questions about rules and customs in your culture. Here’s an example question with a suggested answer:
Q: Are there any traditional rules that people in your country still follow?
A: Absolutely. In my country, respect for elders is a deeply ingrained cultural rule. For instance, it’s customary to greet older people first and use honorific titles when addressing them. This demonstrates reverence and is considered essential for maintaining harmony in social interactions.
Part 2: Long Turn
Cue Card:
Describe an important rule in your culture
You should say:
- What the rule is
- How you learned about this rule
- Why this rule is important
- And explain how people follow this rule in your culture
Sample Answer (Band 6-7):
One important rule in my culture is showing respect to elders. I learned about this rule from my parents and grandparents when I was young. They always taught me to greet older people first and use polite language when talking to them.
This rule is important because it helps maintain harmony in society and shows appreciation for the wisdom of older generations. In my culture, people follow this rule by using respectful titles like “sir” or “madam” when addressing elders, offering them seats on public transport, and seeking their advice on important matters.
Young people are expected to listen attentively when elders speak and not interrupt them. During family gatherings or festivals, it’s common to see younger family members touching the feet of elders as a sign of respect and to receive blessings.
Following this rule helps create a sense of community and ensures that traditional knowledge is passed down through generations. It also teaches young people the value of humility and consideration for others.
Sample Answer (Band 8-9):
In my culture, one of the most fundamental and deeply ingrained rules is the practice of showing deference and respect to elders. This cultural cornerstone was instilled in me from an early age through both explicit teachings and implicit observations of my family members and wider community.
The significance of this rule cannot be overstated as it serves multiple purposes in our society. Primarily, it fosters intergenerational harmony and ensures the preservation of cultural wisdom. By revering our elders, we create a societal structure that values experience and acknowledges the contributions of those who have paved the way for younger generations.
The manifestation of this rule in daily life is multifaceted and pervasive. It begins with linguistic conventions, where specific honorific terms are employed when addressing older individuals. This verbal reverence is complemented by a range of non-verbal cues, such as slight bows or the culturally significant gesture of touching an elder’s feet as a mark of utmost respect.
In more practical terms, this rule translates into prioritizing the comfort and well-being of elders in various situations. For instance, it’s an unwritten rule to offer seats to older people on public transport or to serve them first during meals. Their opinions are actively sought and given considerable weight in family decisions, reflecting their esteemed position in the family hierarchy.
Interestingly, this rule also extends into the professional sphere, where age often correlates with authority and respect in the workplace. This can sometimes lead to a unique interplay between traditional values and modern corporate cultures, especially in multinational settings.
Ultimately, adhering to this rule not only reinforces our cultural identity but also cultivates essential virtues such as humility, patience, and empathy among younger generations. It creates a cyclical system of respect that ensures the continuity of our cultural values and social cohesion.
Follow-up Questions:
Q: How has this rule changed over time in your culture?
A: (Band 8-9) The essence of respecting elders has remained constant, but its manifestation has evolved with modernization. While traditional gestures like touching feet are still practiced, there’s now a greater emphasis on valuing elders’ opinions in decision-making processes, even in professional settings. The rule has adapted to accommodate changing family structures and increased geographical mobility, with technology playing a role in maintaining connections between generations.
Q: Do you think this rule will continue to be important in the future?
A: (Band 6-7) Yes, I believe this rule will remain important. Even though society is changing, respecting elders is a core value that helps keep families and communities strong. It might look different in the future, but the basic idea of showing respect to older people will probably stay important in our culture.
Part 3: Two-way Discussion
Q: How do cultural rules differ between generations in your country?
A: (Band 8-9) The intergenerational differences in cultural rules are becoming increasingly pronounced in my country. While the older generation tends to adhere more strictly to traditional norms, such as formal greetings and hierarchical social structures, the younger generation is adopting a more fluid approach to cultural rules.
For instance, younger people are more likely to challenge conventional wisdom and seek egalitarian relationships, even with elders. This shift is partly due to globalization and increased exposure to diverse cultures through media and travel. However, this doesn’t necessarily mean a complete abandonment of cultural rules; rather, it’s an evolution and reinterpretation of these norms in a modern context.
The younger generation’s approach often involves finding a balance between respecting traditional values and adapting them to fit contemporary lifestyles. This can sometimes lead to intergenerational tensions, but it also fosters dialogue and helps cultural rules remain relevant in a rapidly changing world.
Q: In what ways do cultural rules contribute to social harmony?
A: (Band 6-7) Cultural rules play a big role in keeping society peaceful. They give people a common set of behaviors to follow, which helps everyone understand how to act in different situations. This makes social interactions smoother and reduces misunderstandings.
For example, the rule about respecting elders helps create a sense of order in families and communities. When young people show respect to older folks, it makes the elders feel valued, and they’re more likely to share their knowledge and experience. This exchange helps different generations understand each other better and work together more easily.
Cultural rules also help people feel like they belong to a group. When everyone follows the same customs, it creates a shared identity and brings people closer together. This sense of unity can make society more stable and harmonious overall.
Key Vocabulary and Phrases for High Scores
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Deeply ingrained (adjective) /ˈdiːpli ɪnˈɡreɪnd/: Firmly established; difficult to change.
Example: Respect for elders is deeply ingrained in our culture. -
Cultural cornerstone (noun phrase) /ˈkʌltʃərəl ˈkɔːnəstəʊn/: A fundamental aspect of a culture.
Example: The concept of filial piety is a cultural cornerstone in many Asian societies. -
Intergenerational harmony (noun phrase) /ˌɪntəˌdʒenəˈreɪʃənl ˈhɑːməni/: Good relations between different age groups.
Example: Our traditions promote intergenerational harmony within families. -
Manifestation (noun) /ˌmænɪfesˈteɪʃn/: The action or fact of showing something.
Example: The manifestation of respect varies across cultures. -
To foster (verb) /ˈfɒstə(r)/: To encourage or promote the development of something.
Example: These customs foster a sense of community among diverse groups.
Examiner’s Advice
To achieve a high score in the IELTS Speaking test when discussing cultural rules:
- Use a range of advanced vocabulary and idiomatic expressions related to culture and societal norms.
- Provide specific examples to illustrate your points, showing depth of knowledge about your culture.
- Discuss both positive aspects and potential challenges of cultural rules to demonstrate critical thinking.
- Practice speaking about various cultural topics to improve fluency and confidence.
- Listen carefully to the examiner’s questions and address all parts in your responses.
- Use a variety of grammatical structures, including complex sentences, to showcase your language proficiency.
Remember, the key to success is not just knowing about your culture, but being able to describe a situation where you had to make a compromise between cultural rules and modern life. This skill demonstrates your ability to think critically about cultural norms and articulate complex ideas effectively.