Global tourism and its effects on cultural preservation is a recurring topic in IELTS Writing Task 2. Based on past exam trends, this theme has appeared frequently and is likely to continue being a popular subject in future tests. Let’s explore a relevant question that has been featured in recent IELTS exams:
Some people think that the growth of global tourism is damaging to local cultures and traditions. Others believe it offers a chance for cultural exchange. Discuss both views and give your own opinion.
This question addresses the dual nature of global tourism’s impact on local cultures, making it an excellent topic for discussion. Let’s analyze the question and provide sample essays for different band scores.
Question Analysis
The question presents two contrasting viewpoints on global tourism:
- It damages local cultures and traditions
- It provides opportunities for cultural exchange
To effectively answer this question, you should:
- Discuss both perspectives
- Provide relevant examples
- Express your own opinion
- Use appropriate vocabulary and grammatical structures
Now, let’s look at sample essays for different band scores.
Sample Essay 1 (Band 8-9)
The rapid growth of global tourism has sparked a debate about its impact on local cultures and traditions. While some argue that it poses a threat to cultural preservation, others view it as an opportunity for valuable cultural exchange. In my opinion, although there are potential risks, the benefits of global tourism for cultural interaction and understanding outweigh the drawbacks.
Those who believe that global tourism damages local cultures often point to the commercialization of traditional practices and the erosion of authentic experiences. For instance, in many popular tourist destinations, traditional ceremonies or rituals may be modified or shortened to cater to tourists’ schedules, potentially losing their original significance. Additionally, the influx of foreign visitors can lead to the homogenization of local customs, as communities adapt to meet tourists’ expectations or preferences.
On the other hand, proponents of global tourism argue that it facilitates cultural exchange and promotes mutual understanding between people from different backgrounds. Tourists have the opportunity to learn about and appreciate diverse cultures firsthand, fostering tolerance and respect for different ways of life. Moreover, tourism can provide economic incentives for local communities to preserve their cultural heritage, as visitors are often drawn to authentic cultural experiences. For example, many indigenous communities have been able to maintain their traditional practices and crafts by showcasing them to interested tourists.
In my view, while the concerns about cultural dilution are valid, the positive aspects of global tourism in terms of cultural preservation and exchange are more significant. By exposing people to different cultures, tourism can broaden perspectives and challenge stereotypes, ultimately contributing to a more interconnected and understanding world. Furthermore, the economic benefits of tourism can provide resources for communities to invest in preserving their cultural heritage, ensuring that traditions are passed down to future generations.
To maximize the benefits of global tourism while minimizing its negative impacts, it is crucial for both tourists and host communities to approach cultural interactions with respect and sensitivity. Responsible tourism practices, such as supporting local businesses and participating in community-led cultural activities, can help ensure that tourism contributes positively to cultural preservation and exchange.
In conclusion, while global tourism does pose some risks to local cultures, its potential for fostering cultural understanding and providing economic support for cultural preservation outweighs these concerns. By promoting responsible tourism and encouraging genuine cultural exchange, we can harness the power of global tourism to celebrate and protect the world’s diverse cultural heritage.
(Word count: 399)
Explanation of Band 8-9 Score
This essay demonstrates the characteristics of a high-scoring IELTS Writing Task 2 response:
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Task Achievement: The essay fully addresses all parts of the task, discussing both viewpoints and clearly expressing a personal opinion.
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Coherence and Cohesion: Ideas are logically organized with clear progression throughout. Paragraphs are well-linked, and cohesive devices are used effectively.
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Lexical Resource: A wide range of vocabulary is used accurately and appropriately. Complex ideas are expressed with precision.
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Grammatical Range and Accuracy: A wide range of grammatical structures is used accurately and flexibly. Errors are rare and do not impede communication.
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Development and Support: Each main point is well-developed with relevant examples and explanations.
How tourism contributes to global economic development is evident in the essay’s discussion of economic incentives for cultural preservation. This balanced approach demonstrates a sophisticated understanding of the topic.
Sample Essay 2 (Band 6-7)
Global tourism has become a big topic of discussion in recent years. Some people think it’s bad for local cultures, while others say it helps with cultural exchange. I believe that both views have some truth, but overall, tourism can be good for cultures if it’s done right.
Those who worry about tourism damaging local cultures have some good points. When too many tourists come to a place, it can change how local people live. For example, traditional festivals might become more like shows for tourists instead of real celebrations for the community. Also, some places might lose their unique character as they try to please tourists by becoming more like other popular destinations.
On the other hand, tourism can help cultures in many ways. When people travel, they learn about different ways of life and can become more open-minded. This can lead to better understanding between different cultures. Tourism can also help local communities make money from their traditions. For instance, selling traditional crafts to tourists can help keep these skills alive.
I think that while tourism can cause some problems for local cultures, it can also be very helpful. It’s important for tourists to be respectful and try to learn about the places they visit. At the same time, local communities should find ways to share their culture without changing it too much.
To make sure tourism helps rather than hurts local cultures, both tourists and local people need to work together. Tourists should try to learn about local customs and support local businesses. Local communities can create special programs that teach visitors about their traditions in a respectful way.
In conclusion, global tourism can be good for cultural exchange if it’s managed carefully. While there are some risks, the benefits of sharing cultures and supporting local traditions through tourism are very important. By being responsible and respectful, we can use tourism to help preserve and celebrate different cultures around the world.
(Word count: 329)
Explanation of Band 6-7 Score
This essay demonstrates the characteristics of a mid-range IELTS Writing Task 2 response:
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Task Achievement: The essay addresses all parts of the task, presenting both viewpoints and offering a personal opinion. However, the ideas could be developed more fully.
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Coherence and Cohesion: The essay is generally well-organized, but the use of cohesive devices is less sophisticated compared to the Band 8-9 essay.
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Lexical Resource: A sufficient range of vocabulary is used, but there is less precision and sophistication compared to higher band scores.
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Grammatical Range and Accuracy: A mix of simple and complex sentence structures is used, with some errors that do not impede communication.
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Development and Support: Main points are supported, but examples and explanations are less detailed than in higher-scoring essays.
How global tourism affects cultural preservation is addressed in this essay, but with less depth and complexity compared to the Band 8-9 sample.
Key Vocabulary to Remember
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Cultural preservation (noun) – The protection and maintenance of cultural heritage and traditions.
Pronunciation: /ˈkʌltʃərəl prɛzəˈveɪʃən/ -
Global tourism (noun phrase) – The practice of people traveling to different countries for leisure or business.
Pronunciation: /ˈɡləʊbəl ˈtʊərɪzəm/ -
Cultural exchange (noun phrase) – The sharing of ideas, customs, and experiences between different cultures.
Pronunciation: /ˈkʌltʃərəl ɪksˈtʃeɪndʒ/ -
Commercialization (noun) – The process of managing or exploiting something primarily for financial gain.
Pronunciation: /kəˌmɜːʃəlaɪˈzeɪʃən/ -
Homogenization (noun) – The process of making things uniform or similar.
Pronunciation: /həˌmɒdʒənaɪˈzeɪʃən/ -
Indigenous (adjective) – Originating or occurring naturally in a particular place; native.
Pronunciation: /ɪnˈdɪdʒɪnəs/ -
Authentic (adjective) – Genuine or real; not fake or imitation.
Pronunciation: /ɔːˈθɛntɪk/ -
Cultural dilution (noun phrase) – The weakening or loss of cultural characteristics due to outside influences.
Pronunciation: /ˈkʌltʃərəl daɪˈluːʃən/ -
Responsible tourism (noun phrase) – Tourism that minimizes negative social, economic, and environmental impacts.
Pronunciation: /rɪˈspɒnsəbl ˈtʊərɪzəm/ -
Cultural heritage (noun phrase) – The legacy of physical artifacts and intangible attributes of a group or society.
Pronunciation: /ˈkʌltʃərəl ˈhɛrɪtɪdʒ/
Conclusion
The impact of global tourism on cultural preservation is a complex and multifaceted topic that is likely to continue appearing in IELTS Writing Task 2. By understanding different perspectives and using appropriate vocabulary and structures, you can effectively address this theme in your essays.
To further improve your skills, consider practicing with similar topics such as:
- The effects of mass tourism on local environments
- The role of technology in preserving cultural heritage
- Balancing economic development and cultural preservation in tourist destinations
Remember to analyze the question carefully, present balanced arguments, and support your points with relevant examples. Feel free to share your practice essays in the comments section for feedback and discussion. This active engagement will help you refine your writing skills and prepare effectively for the IELTS exam.
How cultural diversity enriches societies is another related topic that you might find helpful to explore as you prepare for your IELTS Writing Task 2.