Part 2 Question
Describe a person you know who is from a different culture
You should say:
Who he/she is
Where he/she is from
How you knew him/her
And explain how you feel about him/her
Part 3 Question
Where do people usually meet people from a different culture?
Is it important to know the differences between cultures?
Do you think travelers should learn about the country they visit before their trip?
What are the advantages and disadvantages of cultural diversity?
Part 2 – Describe a person you know who is from a different culture
Describe a person you know who is from a different culture
You should say:
- Who he/she is
- Where he/she is from
- How you knew him/her
- And explain how you feel about him/her
Sample reference:
As an outgoing and sociable person, I have a wide circle of friends. I have a tendency to expand my connections and widen my networking with whoever I meet. However, there is a special person – a friend coming from Japan – that I treasure the most as she empowers me with a new understanding of Japanese culture. Her name is Sizuka. I vividly remember I first met her in an online social discussion forum. There is one thing in common among us that we are both big fans of culinary stuff like cooking and eating. The discussion session of that day revolves around dining etiquette – which is a proper set of behaviors while having meals. I was grouped with Sizuka to discuss the dining etiquette of our country. On listening to Sizuka’s presentation, my mind was blown. This was truly an eye-opening experience for me as I have never heard about Japanese culture, let alone the behaviors during meal time. In Japan, people are supposed to eat slowly in small bites, chew with their mouths closed. In addition, talking with food inside your mouth is not advised. At first, I was completely confused on why such complex rules exist. After Sizuka explained that those etiquette were set to maintain politeness, I completely understood. For now, I apply those rules into my meals in Vietnam because I want to stay as polite as the Japanese. Previously, I used to constantly talk with food inside, which is disgracious – to put it bluntly. I am grateful for the opportunity to broaden my mind and enhance my cultural understanding of other countries.
Reference vocabulary:
– outgoing: like to socialize, make friends
– sociable: like to socialize, make friends
– wide circle of friends : wide circle of friends
– have a tendency to : have a tendency to do something
– expand my connection : expand connection
– widen my networking : widen my networking
– treasure sth : cherish
– vividly remember : remember clearly
– empower: give to someone
– understanding of : understanding
– something in common : something in common
– culinary: related to cooking
– revolve around : revolve around
– dining etiquette : dining etiquette
– set of behavior
– blow your mind : open your mind
– eye-opening experience : eye-opening experience
– supposed to : what should be done
– completely confused : completely confused
– maintain politeness : maintain politeness
– apply rules into : apply into
– disgracious : ‘unlucky’
– to put in bluntly : to put it bluntly
– broaden my mind : broaden my mind
– cultural understanding : cultural understanding
Part 3
Is it important to know the differences between cultures?
Personally speaking, the understanding of cultural differences is of paramount importance. If people have inadequate knowledge regarding a foreign country’s culture, misunderstanding and conflict are likely to arise. Culture is important to a nation as it represents a country’s pride. For example, I once happened to see a dish from a country. Since the arrangement of the dish was not good-looking, it was dismissed by some online users as ‘repulsive’. Needless to say, this was a sheer disrespect to that country as it is their national dish. The citizens were extremely exasperated and took offense by such comments. Therefore, it is crucial that we gain understanding of other nation’s cultures to avoid problems like conflicts or misunderstandings.
Reference vocabulary:
– cultural disparity : cultural difference
– of paramount importance : extremely important
– inadequate knowledge : lack of knowledge
– regarding : related to
– represent : represent for
– good-looking : eye-catching
– dismiss something as : suppose
– repulsive : disgusting
– needless to say : no need to say anymore
– sheer disrespect : lack of respect
– national dish : national dish
– citizen : citizen
– exasperate : angry
– take offense : be offended
– gain understanding : gain understanding
– undesirable problems : undesirable problems
Conclusion
This is a suggested reference answer by 2G Education.
Hopefully the help and advice from 2G Education below will help improve your IELTS Reading learning and review process!
