IELTS Essay: Minority Languages

by Dave | May 28, 2021 | Real Past Tests

This is an IELTS writing task 2 sample answer essay on the topic of minority languages from the real IELTS exam.

Please consider supporting me on Patreon.com/howtodoielts to receive my exclusive IELTS Ebooks – you can even sign up for private live lessons with me!

Dave

IELTS Essay: Minority Languages

Some feel governments should invest in preserving minority languages, while others feel this is not a good use of resources.

Discuss both views and give your own opinion.

Many are of the belief that it would be worthwhile for governments to prioritise the preservation of various minority languages. In my opinion, despite limited potential efficacy this sentiment is justifiable.

Detractors of this proposal argue that investment is unlikely to have a major impact. In order for minority groups to earn a living and enjoy the conveniences of the modern world, they require knowledge of a nation’s most widely spoken language. In fact, many indigenous peoples themselves desire to move away from their hometowns to live in large cities and join the modern workforce. For example, in the Hmong people of Southeast Asia, it is typically the older generation that seeks to communicate in their native tongue and preserve traditional ways of life. The younger generation, generally, would rather learn the most useful language and integrate with the dominant national culture. Therefore efforts by governments oppose what individuals desire and are unlikely to be successful.

Nonetheless, there is cultural value in preserving a language. A language uniquely represents and codifies the external world. Everything from the verb structures and choice of nouns to the intonation and rhythm of the language present a singular way of interacting with and deciphering the world at large. For example, in many languages there are words that are not precisely translatable and users therefore are more likely to see events and objects differently. As the world becomes increasingly globalised, I would argue that the importance of a plurality of perspectives only becomes more crucial. If such languages die out, they will likely never be resurrected and the world will be poorer for the loss.

In conclusion, regardless of the potential challenges faced in preserving minority languages, their continued existence is essential to diversity. Governments must therefore make every effort to ensure their survival.

Analysis

1. Many are of the belief that it would be worthwhile for governments to prioritise the preservation of various minority languages. 2. In my opinion, despite limited potential efficacy this sentiment is justifiable.

1. Paraphrase the overall essay topic.
2. Write a clear opinion. Read more about introductions here.

1. Detractors of this proposal argue that investment is unlikely to have a major impact. 2. In order for minority groups to earn a living and enjoy the conveniences of the modern world, they require knowledge of a nation’s most widely spoken language. 3. In fact, many indigenous peoples themselves desire to move away from their hometowns to live in large cities and join the modern workforce. 4. For example, in the Hmong people of Southeast Asia, it is typically the older generation that seeks to communicate in their native tongue and preserve traditional ways of life. 5. The younger generation, generally, would rather learn the most useful language and integrate with the dominant national culture. 6. Therefore efforts by governments oppose what individuals desire and are unlikely to be successful.

1. Write a topic sentence with a clear main idea at the end.
2. Explain your main idea.
3. Develop it with specific examples.
4. Keep developing it fully.
5. Stay focused on the same main idea.
6. Finish by adding extra detail.

1. Nonetheless, there is cultural value in preserving a language. 2. A language uniquely represents and codifies the external world. 3. Everything from the verb structures and choice of nouns to the intonation and rhythm of the language present a singular way of interacting with and deciphering the world at large. 4. For example, in many languages there are words that are not precisely translatable and users therefore are more likely to see events and objects differently. 5. As the world becomes increasingly globalised, I would argue that the importance of a plurality of perspectives only becomes more crucial. 6. If such languages die out, they will likely never be resurrected and the world will be poorer for the loss.

1. Write a new topic sentence with a new main idea at the end.
2. Explain your new main idea.
3. Include specific details and examples.
4. Continue developing it…
5. as fully as possible!
6. Conclude by relating it back to the overall topic.

1. In conclusion, regardless of the potential challenges faced in preserving minority languages, their continued existence is essential to diversity. 2. Governments must therefore make every effort to ensure their survival.

1. Summarise your main ideas.
2. Include a final thought. Read more about conclusions here.

Vocabulary

What do the words in bold below mean? Make some notes on paper to aid memory and then check below.

Many are of the belief that it would be worthwhile for governments to prioritise the preservation of various minority languages. In my opinion, despite limited potential efficacy this sentiment is justifiable.

Detractors of this proposal argue that investment is unlikely to have a major impact. In order for minority groups to earn a living and enjoy the conveniences of the modern world, they require knowledge of a nation’s most widely spoken language. In fact, many indigenous peoples themselves desire to move away from their hometowns to live in large cities and join the modern workforce. For example, in the Hmong people of Southeast Asia, it is typically the older generation that seeks to communicate in their native tongue and preserve traditional ways of life. The younger generation, generally, would rather learn the most useful language and integrate with the dominant national culture. Therefore efforts by governments oppose what individuals desire and are unlikely to be successful.

Nonetheless, there is cultural value in preserving a language. A language uniquely represents and codifies the external world. Everything from the verb structures and choice of nouns to the intonation and rhythm of the language present a singular way of interacting with and deciphering the world at large. For example, in many languages there are words that are not precisely translatable and users therefore are more likely to see events and objects differently. As the world becomes increasingly globalised, I would argue that the importance of a plurality of perspectives only becomes more crucial. If such languages die out, they will likely never be resurrected and the world will be poorer for the loss.

In conclusion, regardless of the potential challenges faced in preserving minority languages, their continued existence is essential to diversity. Governments must therefore make every effort to ensure their survival.

Answers

of the belief believe

worthwhile important

prioritise place more importance on

preservation keep alive

various different types

minority languages less widely spoken languages

despite regardless of

limited potential efficacy no much actual effect

sentiment feeling

justifiable reasonable

detractors critics

proposal suggestion

investment money, time, etc.

major impact large effect

minority small group

earn a living make money

conveniences modern luxury’s

modern world today’s world and lifestyles

require knowledge need to know about

most widely spoken language common languages

indigenous peoples groups native to a country

desire want

move away leave

hometowns where you are from

modern workforce working at companies, in cities, etc.

Hmong an ethnic minority from Asia

typically usually

seeks tries to

native tongue native language

traditional ways of life old modes of living

integrate join in

dominant national culture main culture of a country

efforts trying

oppose go against

desire want to

successful works out

nonetheless regardless

cultural value important for the culture

uniquely represents new ways of showing

codifies makes into a symbol, language

external world outside world, reality

verb structures how verbs are used

intonation the tone of your voice

rhythm the musical quality of a language

present a singular way show a unique method

interacting with communicating with

deciphering figuring out

at large in general

not precisely translatable can’t be put in another language

users people who speak a language

increasingly globalised more and more similar

plurality of perspectives different ways of seeing the world

crucial really important

die out become extinct

resurrected brought back to life

poorer for the loss the world loses out

regardless of despite

potential challenges faced possible difficulties

continued existence stay alive

diversity differences

make every effort try hard

ensure make sure of

survival remain alive

Pronunciation

Practice saying the vocabulary below and use this tip about Google voice search:

ɒv ðə bɪˈliːf 
ˈwɜːθˈwaɪl 
praɪˈɒrɪˌtaɪz 
ˌprɛzə(ː)ˈveɪʃən 
ˈveərɪəs 
maɪˈnɒrɪti ˈlæŋgwɪʤɪz
dɪsˈpaɪt 
ˈlɪmɪtɪd pəʊˈtɛnʃəl ˈɛfɪkəsi 
ˈsɛntɪmənt 
ˈʤʌstɪfaɪəbl
dɪˈtræktəz 
prəˈpəʊzəl 
ɪnˈvɛstmənt 
ˈmeɪʤər ˈɪmpækt
maɪˈnɒrɪti
ɜːn ə ˈlɪvɪŋ
kənˈviːniənsɪz 
ˈmɒdən wɜːld
rɪˈkwaɪə ˈnɒlɪʤ 
məʊst ˈwaɪdli ˈspəʊkən ˈlæŋgwɪʤ
ɪnˈdɪʤɪnəs ˈpiːplz 
dɪˈzaɪə 
muːv əˈweɪ 
ˈhəʊmˈtaʊnz 
ˈmɒdən ˈwɜːkˌfɔːs
hʌmʌŋ
ˈtɪpɪk(ə)li 
siːks 
ˈneɪtɪv tʌŋ 
trəˈdɪʃənl weɪz ɒv laɪf
ˈɪntɪgreɪt 
ˈdɒmɪnənt ˈnæʃənl ˈkʌlʧə
ˈɛfəts 
əˈpəʊz 
dɪˈzaɪə 
səkˈsɛsfʊl
ˌnʌnðəˈlɛs
ˈkʌlʧərəl ˈvæljuː 
juːˈniːkli ˌrɛprɪˈzɛnts 
ˈkɒdɪfaɪz 
ɛksˈtɜːnl wɜːld
vɜːb ˈstrʌkʧəz 
ˌɪntəʊˈneɪʃən 
ˈrɪðəm 
ˈprɛznt ə ˈsɪŋgjʊlə weɪ 
ˌɪntərˈæktɪŋ wɪð 
dɪˈsaɪfərɪŋ 
æt lɑːʤ
nɒt prɪˈsaɪsli trænsˈleɪtəbl 
ˈjuːzəz 
ɪnˈkriːsɪŋli ˌgləʊb(ə)laɪˈzeɪd
plʊəˈrælɪti ɒv pəˈspɛktɪvz 
ˈkruːʃəl
daɪ aʊt
ˌrɛzəˈrɛktɪd 
ˈpʊərə fɔː ðə lɒs
rɪˈgɑːdlɪs ɒv 
pəʊˈtɛnʃəl ˈʧælɪnʤɪz feɪst 
kənˈtɪnju(ː)d ɪgˈzɪstəns 
daɪˈvɜːsɪti
meɪk ˈɛvri ˈɛfət 
ɪnˈʃʊə 
səˈvaɪvəl

Vocabulary Practice

I recommend getting a pencil and piece of paper because that aids memory. Then write down the missing vocabulary from my sample answer in your notebook:

Many are o_______________f that it would be w___________e for governments to p__________e the p_______________n of v__________s m___________________s. In my opinion, d______________________________y this s___________t is j_____________e.

D____________s of this p____________l argue that i____________t is unlikely to have a m________________t. In order for m__________y groups to e____________g and enjoy the c_____________s of the m____________d, they r_________________e of a nation’s m____________________________e. In fact, many i_____________________s themselves d________e to m_____________y from their h____________s to live in large cities and join the m________________e. For example, in the H______g people of Southeast Asia, it is t__________y the older generation that s________s to communicate in their n_______________e and preserve t______________________e. The younger generation, generally, would rather learn the most useful language and i____________e with the d_________________________e. Therefore e________s by governments o________e what individuals d_________e and are unlikely to be s____________l.

N_____________s, there is c________________e in preserving a language. A language u__________________s and c__________s the e______________d. Everything from the v_______________s and choice of nouns to the i____________n and r________m of the language p______________________y of i__________________h and d________________g the world a__________e. For example, in many languages there are words that are n___________________________e and u_________s therefore are more likely to see events and objects differently. As the world becomes i_________________________d, I would argue that the importance of a p___________________________s only becomes more c__________l. If such languages d_________t, they will likely never be r_________________d and the world will be p____________________s.

In conclusion, r_________________f the p_________________________d in preserving minority languages, their c________________________e is essential to d_____________y. Governments must therefore m____________________t to e_______________e their s_______________l.

Listening Practice

Learn more about this topic in the video below and practice with these activities:

Reading Practice

Read more about this topic and use these ideas to practice:

https://www.theatlantic.com/international/archive/2012/07/the-disappearing-languages-of-asia/259530/

Speaking Practice

Practice with the following speaking questions from the real IELTS speaking exam:

Talk about a language you would like to learn. Include

What is the language

Why you want to learn it

If you will learn it

Writing Practice

Practice with the same basic topic below and then check with my sample answer:

Some believe that we should invent a new language for international communication.

Do the advantages of this outweigh the disadvantages?

IELTS Essay: Celebrating Family Events

by Dave | May 26, 2021 | Real Past Tests

This is an IELTS writing task 2 sample answer essay on the topic of celebrating family events from the real IELTS general training exam.

Please consider supporting me on Patreon.com/howtodoielts to receive my exclusive IELTS Ebooks! (You can also sign up for live, personal lessons with me there.)

Dave

IELTS Essay: Celebrating Family Events

Some people spend a lot of money celebrating personal family events, such as weddings and birthdays.

How important is it to celebrate such events?

Do you think people spend too much money on these events?

It is common for individuals to invest heavily in celebrating important family events. In my opinion, such celebrations are vital to healthy family life and the associated costs are reasonable in most cases.

Events that bring together the whole family encourage stronger internal cohesion. This is best illustrated through the counter-example of families that rarely meet for large social gatherings. These families are likely to grow distant and remain family members in name rather than actuality. Family members that often meet, such as in many Asian nations where familial bonds are prioritised, are closer to both their immediate and extended family. The result of such closeness is they can ask for advice, lend a helping hand, and feel the unconditional support and love that is essential for mental health.

Generally, for these events families spend only as much as they can reasonably afford. There are rare exceptions, such as when a newly married couple spends excessively on the wedding. However, most families abide by an internal calculus that keeps their spending under control. A wealthy family may stage lavish reunions, family dinners, and weddings, but they are able to afford them and only appear excessive from the perspective of less privileged spectators. A less affluent family, on the other hand, will tend to hold more modest events and, in the case of weddings, may be able to recoup a substantial proportion of the costs from gifts. For example, the giving of an envelope containing money at a wedding is common in Vietnam and helps couples begin their marriage on solid financial footing.

In conclusion, family gatherings play a key part in strengthening bonds and their cost is justifiable and moderate. Families should therefore strive to maintain their traditions in an increasingly insular society.

Analysis

1. It is common for individuals to invest heavily in celebrating important family events. 2. In my opinion, such celebrations are vital to healthy family life and the associated costs are reasonable in most cases.

1. Paraphrase the overall essay topic.
2. Write a clear opinion. Read more about introductions here.

1. Events that bring together the whole family encourage stronger internal cohesion. 2. This is best illustrated through the counter-example of families that rarely meet for large social gatherings. 3. These families are likely to grow distant and remain family members in name rather than actuality. 4. Family members that often meet, such as in many Asian nations where familial bonds are prioritised, are closer to both their immediate and extended family. 5. The result of such closeness is they can ask for advice, lend a helping hand, and feel the unconditional support and love that is essential for mental health.

1. Write a topic sentence with a clear main idea at the end.
2. Explain your main idea.
3. Develop it with specific examples.
4. Keep developing it fully.
5. Stay focused on the same main idea.

1. Generally, for these events families spend only as much as they can reasonably afford. 2. There are rare exceptions, such as when a newly married couple spends excessively on the wedding. 3. However, most families abide by an internal calculus that keeps their spending under control. 4. A wealthy family may stage lavish reunions, family dinners, and weddings, but they are able to afford them and only appear excessive from the perspective of less privileged spectators. 5. A less affluent family, on the other hand, will tend to hold more modest events and, in the case of weddings, may be able to recoup a substantial proportion of the costs from gifts. 6. For example, the giving of an envelope containing money at a wedding is common in Vietnam and helps couples begin their marriage on solid financial footing.

1. Write a new topic sentence with a new main idea at the end.
2. Explain your new main idea.
3. Include specific details and examples.
4. Continue developing it…
5. as fully as possible!
6. Here I add an extra example to make it more specific.

1. In conclusion, family gatherings play a key part in strengthening bonds and their cost is justifiable and moderate. 2. Families should therefore strive to maintain their traditions in an increasingly insular society.

1. Summarise your main ideas.
2. Include a final thought. Read more about conclusions here.

Vocabulary

What do the words in bold below mean? Make some notes on paper to aid memory and then check below.

It is common for individuals to invest heavily in celebrating important family events. In my opinion, such celebrations are vital to healthy family life and the associated costs are reasonable in most cases.

Events that bring together the whole family encourage stronger internal cohesion. This is best illustrated through the counter-example of families that rarely meet for large social gatherings. These families are likely to grow distant and remain family members in name rather than actuality. Family members that often meet, such as in many Asian nations where familial bonds are prioritised, are closer to both their immediate and extended family. The result of such closeness is they can ask for advice, lend a helping hand, and feel the unconditional support and love that is essential for mental health.

Generally, for these events families spend only as much as they can reasonably afford. There are rare exceptions, such as when a newly married couple spends excessively on the wedding. However, most families abide by an internal calculus that keeps their spending under control. A wealthy family may stage lavish reunions, family dinners, and weddings, but they are able to afford them and only appear excessive from the perspective of less privileged spectators. A less affluent family, on the other hand, will tend to hold more modest events and, in the case of weddings, may be able to recoup a substantial proportion of the costs from gifts. For example, the giving of an envelope containing money at a wedding is common in Vietnam and helps couples begin their marriage on solid financial footing.

In conclusion, family gatherings play a key part in strengthening bonds and their cost is justifiable and moderate. Families should therefore strive to maintain their traditions in an increasingly insular society.

Answers

common pervasive

invest heavily put a lot of money into

celebrating important family events birthdays, weddings, family reunions, etc.

vital really important

healthy family life good relationships in families

associated costs related expenses

reasonable not excessive

in most cases generally

bring together make closer

whole family everyone in the family

encourage foster

best illustrated clearest illustrations

counter-example example showing the opposite

rarely not often

large social gatherings big get-togethers

grow distant become like strangers

remain family members continue to be family

in name not in reality

rather than instead of

actuality reality

familial bonds relationships between family members

prioritised considered more important

immediate and extended family parents/siblings and then more distant family members like cousins

result outcome

closeness how close your are

advice suggestions

lend a helping hand give help

unconditional support no strings attached support

essential vital

mental health your mental state, emotions, etc.

generally overall

reasonably afford able to pay for

rare exceptions some different instances

newly married just married

excessively too strong

abide by stick to

internal calculus calculator in your head

keeps their spending under control stops them from spending too much money

stage lavish reunions put on big celebrations

appear excessive seem to be too much

perspective viewpoint

less privileged spectators poorer people

affluent rich

on the other hand however

tend to hold more modest events usually have less expensive celebrations

recoup get back

substantial proportion large percentage

envelope paper for letters

solid financial footing have enough money

strengthening bonds making relationships better

justifiable reasonable

moderate within reasonable limits

strive try hard

maintain sustain

traditions customs

insular isolated and alone

Pronunciation

Practice saying the vocabulary below and use this tip about Google voice search:

ˈkɒmən 
ɪnˈvɛst ˈhɛvɪli 
ˈsɛlɪbreɪtɪŋ ɪmˈpɔːtənt ˈfæmɪli ɪˈvɛnts
ˈvaɪtl 
ˈhɛlθi ˈfæmɪli laɪf 
əˈsəʊʃɪeɪtɪd kɒsts 
ˈriːznəbl 
ɪn məʊst ˈkeɪsɪz
brɪŋ təˈgɛðə 
həʊl ˈfæmɪli 
ɪnˈkʌrɪʤ 
bɛst ˈɪləstreɪtɪd 
ˈkaʊntər-ɪgˈzɑːmpl 
ˈreəli 
lɑːʤ ˈsəʊʃəl ˈgæðərɪŋz
grəʊ ˈdɪstənt 
rɪˈmeɪn ˈfæmɪli ˈmɛmbəz 
ɪn neɪm 
ˈrɑːðə ðæn 
ˌækʧʊˈælɪti
ˈfæmɪliəl bɒndz 
praɪˈɒrɪˌtaɪzd
ɪˈmiːdiət ænd ɪksˈtɛndɪd ˈfæmɪli
rɪˈzʌlt 
ˈkləʊsnɪs 
ədˈvaɪs
lɛnd ə ˈhɛlpɪŋ hænd
ˌʌnkənˈdɪʃənl səˈpɔːt 
ɪˈsɛnʃəl 
ˈmɛntl hɛlθ
ˈʤɛnərəli
ˈriːznəbli əˈfɔːd
reər ɪkˈsɛpʃənz
ˈnjuːli ˈmærɪd 
ɪkˈsɛsɪvli 
əˈbaɪd baɪ 
ɪnˈtɜːnl ˈkælkjʊləs 
kiːps ðeə ˈspɛndɪŋ ˈʌndə kənˈtrəʊl
steɪʤ ˈlævɪʃ riːˈjuːnjənz
əˈpɪər ɪkˈsɛsɪv 
pəˈspɛktɪv 
lɛs ˈprɪvɪlɪʤd spɛkˈteɪtəz
ˈæflʊənt 
ɒn ði ˈʌðə hænd
tɛnd tuː həʊld mɔː ˈmɒdɪst ɪˈvɛnts 
rɪˈkuːp 
səbˈstænʃəl prəˈpɔːʃən 
ˈɛnvələʊp 
ˈsɒlɪd faɪˈnænʃəl ˈfʊtɪŋ
ˈstrɛŋθənɪŋ bɒndz 
ˈʤʌstɪfaɪəbl 
ˈmɒdərɪt
straɪv 
meɪnˈteɪn 
trəˈdɪʃənz 
ˈɪnsjʊlə 

Vocabulary Practice

I recommend getting a pencil and piece of paper because that aids memory. Then write down the missing vocabulary from my sample answer in your notebook:

It is c___________n for individuals to i______________y in c________________________________s. In my opinion, such celebrations are v_____l to h___________________e and the a_________________s are r______________________________s.

Events that b_______________r the w______________y e_____________e stronger internal cohesion. This is b_________________d through the c__________________e of families that r________y meet for l______________________s. These families are likely to g______________t and r_______________________s i__________e r____________n a____________y. Family members that often meet, such as in many Asian nations where f_________________s are p___________d, are closer to both their i______________________________y. The r________t of such c__________s is they can ask for a_________e, l________________d, and feel the u_______________________t and love that is e___________l for m______________h.

G__________y, for these events families spend only as much as they can r___________________d. There are r__________________s, such as when a n__________________d couple spends e_______________y on the wedding. However, most families a_________y an i____________________s that k_________________________________l. A wealthy family may s_______________________s, family dinners, and weddings, but they are able to afford them and only a___________________e from the p_____________e of l___________________________s. A less a__________t family, o__________________d, will t_______________________________s and, in the case of weddings, may be able to r_______p a s__________________________n of the costs from gifts. For example, the giving of an e___________e containing money at a wedding is common in Vietnam and helps couples begin their marriage on s_____________________________g.

In conclusion, family gatherings play a key part in s_____________________s and their cost is j____________e and m___________e. Families should therefore s_______e to m_____________n their t_____________s in an increasinly i_________r society.

Listening Practice

Learn more about this topic in the video below and practice with these activities:

Reading Practice

Read more about this topic and use these ideas to practice:

https://www.aarp.org/home-family/friends-family/info-2020/new-holiday-traditions.html

Speaking Practice

Practice with the following speaking questions from the real IELTS speaking exam:

Celebrations

1. What kind of celebrations are common in your country?
2. How much do people typically spend on their wedding?
3. Are there big differences between the way that young and old people celebrate their birthdays?
4. Do all people in your country take part in the same celebrations?
5. What is the importance of national holiday?

Writing Practice

Practice with the same basic topic below and then check with my sample answer:

Many parents encourage young people to leave home when they become older, while others think they should stay at home with the family.

Discuss both views and give your own opinion.