This is an IELTS writing task 2 sample answer essay from the general training exam on the topic of behaviour abroad and different customs in different countries.
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IELTS Essay: Behaviour Abroad
There are different customs in different countries related to how people eat, dress, and so on. Some think that people visiting a country should behave according to customs of the country they visit.
To what extent do you agree or disagree?
Many believe travellers have an obligation to follow local customs. I am in agreement with this sentiment generally but there are exceptions to this rule where some flexibility is warranted.
Proponents would argue that being culturally sensitive is a sign of respect. The burden of fitting in falls to the guest because they made the choice to travel to the country in question. For example, following local traditions is crucial when in certain Middle Eastern countries. Some of the more religious countries enforce strict restrictions on common western practices like drinking alcohol and dressing freely. To respect the locals, tourists must modify their behaviour during their stay or risk offending residents and making a bad impression. If travellers persist in flouting local customs, they are in the wrong as there are many other more liberal options for international travel.
However, there are meaningful areas where locals must also be receptive to the views of travellers. This can be broadly grouped into religious and personal beliefs. For example, an individual from a Muslim country travelling abroad may expect to be allowed to wear a head scarf in public during their visit. This should be allowed even in situations, such as during the playing of the national anthem at sporting events in the United States, when people must remove their hats. The same principle applies to personal dietary restrictions such as those of vegetarians and vegans. If they are in a country where locals primarily eat meat, they ought to be able to make substitutions and amendments to the menu if possible.
In conclusion, it is typically important to follow the customs of a country when travelling to show deference but this can be outweighed at times by personal and religious convictions. Individuals should also be mindful of potential conflicts when choosing a travel destination from the onset.
Analysis
1. Many believe travellers have an obligation to follow local customs. 2. I am in agreement with this sentiment generally but there are exceptions to this rule where some flexibility is warranted.
- Paraphrase the overall essay topic.
- State your opinion clearly. Read more about introductions here.
1. Proponents would argue that being culturally sensitive is a sign of respect. 2. The burden of fitting in falls to the guest because they made the choice to travel to the country in question. 3. For example, following local traditions is crucial when in certain Middle Eastern countries. 4. Some of the more religious countries enforce strict restrictions on common western practices like drinking alcohol and dressing freely. 5. To respect the locals, tourists must modify their behaviour during their stay or risk offending residents and making a bad impression. 6. If travellers persist in flouting local customs, they are in the wrong as there are many other more liberal options for international travel.
- Write a topic sentence with a clear main idea at the end.
- Explain your main idea.
- Give an example.
- Develop the example.
- Keep developing the same example.
- Generalise the example.
1. However, there are meaningful areas where locals must also be receptive to the views of travellers. 2. This can be broadly grouped into religious and personal beliefs. 3. For example, an individual from a Muslim country travelling abroad may expect to be allowed to wear a head scarf in public during their visit. 4. This should be allowed even in situations, such as during the playing of the national anthem at sporting events in the United States, when people must remove their hats. 5. The same principle applies to personal dietary restrictions such as those of vegetarians and vegans. 6. If they are in a country where locals primarily eat meat, they ought to be able to make substitutions and amendments to the menu if possible.
- Write another topic sentence with a new main idea at the end.
- Explain this main idea.
- Use a new example.
- Develop this example.
- If you have a second example, switch over to it.
- And develop it fully.
1. In conclusion, it is typically important to follow the customs of a country when travelling to show deference but this can be outweighed at times by personal and religious convictions. 2. Individuals should also be mindful of potential conflicts when choosing a travel destination from the onset.
- Summarise your main ideas and restate your opinion.
- Add a final thought/opinion. Read more about conclusions here.
Vocabulary
What do the words in bold below mean?
Many believe travellers have an obligation to follow local customs. I am in agreement with this sentiment generally but there are exceptions to this rule where some flexibility is warranted.
Proponents would argue that being culturally sensitive is a sign of respect. The burden of fitting in falls to the guest because they made the choice to travel to the country in question. For example, following local traditions is crucial when in certain Middle Eastern countries. Some of the more religious countries enforce strict restrictions on common western practices like drinking alcohol and dressing freely. To respect the locals, tourists must modify their behaviour during their stay or risk offending residents and making a bad impression. If travellers persist in flouting local customs, they are in the wrong as there are many other more liberal options for international travel.
However, there are meaningful areas where locals must also be receptive to the views of travellers. This can be broadly grouped into religious and personal beliefs. For example, an individual from a Muslim country travelling abroad may expect to be allowed to wear a head scarf in public during their visit. This should be allowed even in situations, such as during the playing of the national anthem at sporting events in the United States, when people must remove their hats. The same principle applies to personal dietary restrictions such as those of vegetarians and vegans. If they are in a country where locals primarily eat meat, they ought to be able to make substitutions and amendments to the menu if possible.
In conclusion, it is typically important to follow the customs of a country when travelling to show deference but this can be outweighed at times by personal and religious convictions. Individuals should also be mindful of potential conflicts when choosing a travel destination from the onset.
Answers
obligation duty
follow local customs do as local residents do
I am in agreement with this sentiment generally agree overall
exceptions cases outside the rule
rule general case for all
flexibility ability to adapt
warranted justified
proponents supporters
culturally sensitive caring about other cultures
sign of respect indicates your care
burden obligation
fitting in falls adapting is the responsibility of
made the choice chose
the country in question nation being talked about
local traditions what residents there do
crucial essential
certain particular
enforce strict restrictions make people follow rules
common western practices many people from western countries do this
dressing freely wearing whatever they want
modify their behaviour change how they act
risk offending residents might upset people living there
making a bad impression coming off badly
persist keep trying
flouting deliberately not following
in the wrong not doing the right thing
more liberal options freer places
meaningful areas important parts
receptive willing to listen
broadly grouped categorised in general
Muslim country in the Middle East and parts of Africa
head scarf hijab
public not private
situations cases
the playing of the national anthem listening to the song of your country
sporting events sports
same principle applies rule also valid here
personal dietary restrictions what you won’t/can’t eat
vegans people who don’t eat any animal products
primarily eat meat mostly just consume animals
substitutions switches
amendments changes
if possible if it can be done
typically usually
show deference take a backseat to
outweighed at times sometimes more important
personal and religious convictions your own beliefs and the beliefs of your religion
be mindful consider
potential conflicts possible fights
from the onset at the very beginning
Pronunciation
ˌɒblɪˈgeɪʃən
ˈfɒləʊ ˈləʊkəl ˈkʌstəmz
aɪ æm ɪn əˈgriːmənt wɪð ðɪs ˈsɛntɪmənt ˈʤɛnərəli
ɪkˈsɛpʃənz
ruːl
ˌflɛksɪˈbɪlɪti
ˈwɒrəntɪd
prəˈpəʊnənts
ˈkʌlʧərəli ˈsɛnsɪtɪv
saɪn ɒv rɪsˈpɛkt
ˈbɜːdn
ˈfɪtɪŋ ɪn fɔːlz
meɪd ðə ʧɔɪs
ðə ˈkʌntri ɪn ˈkwɛsʧən
ˈləʊkəl trəˈdɪʃənz
ˈkruːʃəl
ˈsɜːtn
ɪnˈfɔːs strɪkt rɪsˈtrɪkʃənz
ˈkɒmən ˈwɛstən ˈpræktɪsɪz
ˈdrɛsɪŋ ˈfriːli
ˈmɒdɪfaɪ ðeə bɪˈheɪvjə
rɪsk əˈfɛndɪŋ ˈrɛzɪdənts
ˈmeɪkɪŋ ə bæd ɪmˈprɛʃən
pəˈsɪst
ˈflaʊtɪŋ
ɪn ðə rɒŋ
mɔː ˈlɪbərəl ˈɒpʃənz
ˈmiːnɪŋfʊl ˈeərɪəz
rɪˈsɛptɪv
ˈbrɔːdli gruːpt
ˈmʊslɪm ˈkʌntri
hɛd skɑːf
ˈpʌblɪk
ˌsɪtjʊˈeɪʃənz
ðə ˈpleɪɪŋ ɒv ðə ˈnæʃənl ˈænθəm
ˈspɔːtɪŋ ɪˈvɛnts
seɪm ˈprɪnsəpl əˈplaɪz
ˈpɜːsnl ˈdaɪətəri rɪsˈtrɪkʃənz
ˈviːgənz
ˈpraɪmərɪli iːt miːt
ˌsʌbstɪˈtjuːʃənz
əˈmɛndmənts
ɪf ˈpɒsəbl
ˈtɪpɪk(ə)li
ʃəʊ ˈdɛfərəns
aʊtˈweɪd æt taɪmz
ˈpɜːsnl ænd rɪˈlɪʤəs kənˈvɪkʃənz
biː ˈmaɪndfʊl
pəʊˈtɛnʃəl ˈkɒnflɪkts
frɒm ði ˈɒnsɛt
Vocabulary Practice
Remember and fill in the blanks:
Many believe travellers have an o______________n to f_____________________s. I_______________________________________y but there are e_____________s to this r____e where some f____________y is w_____________d.
P_____________s would argue that being c_________________e is a s______________________t. The b___________n of f_______________s to the guest because they m___________________e to travel to t_______________________n. For example, following l__________________s is c____________l when in c__________n Middle Eastern countries. Some of the more religious countries e___________________________s on c_______________________s like drinking alcohol and d__________________y. To respect the locals, tourists must m_________________________r during their stay or r_________________________s and m________________________n. If travellers p__________t in f__________g local customs, they are i_____________g as there are many other m________________________s for international travel.
However, there are m__________________s where locals must also be r______________e to the views of travellers. This can be b_____________d into religious and personal beliefs. For example, an individual from a M___________________y travelling abroad may expect to be allowed to wear a h______________f in p_________c during their visit. This should be allowed even in s_____________s, such as during t_________________________________m at s_________________s in the United States, when people must remove their hats. The s_______________________s to p_________________________s such as those of vegetarians and v_________s. If they are in a country where locals p__________________t, they ought to be able to make s__________________s and a___________________s to the menu i______________e.
In conclusion, it is t____________y important to follow the customs of a country when travelling to s_______________e but this can be o____________________s by p____________________________s. Individuals should also b_____________l of p________________s when choosing a travel destination f_________________t.
Listening Practice
Listen more about this topic below and use these ideas to improve your listening:
Reading Practice
Practice with the following related reading and these practice ideas:
Speaking Practice
Practice with the following questions from the real IELTS speaking exam:
Travelling
- Do you like travelling?
- What is the most beautiful country you have visited?
- Would you like to have a job that demands travelling to other countries?
- What problems can occur when travelling?
Writing Practice
Practice with the following related question then check with my sample answer below:
Some believe that tourism does more to create tension between countries rather than helping individuals better understand other cultures.
To what extent do you agree or disagree?
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