This is an IELTS writing task 2 sample answer on the topic of languages dying out from the real IELTS exam.
I found the 3rd paragraph really difficult – check it out below!
Please consider signing up for my Patreon here in order to support my efforts and receive exclusive Ebooks and materials related to IELTS!
Dave
IELTS Writing Task 2 Sample Answer General Training: Dying Languages (Real Past IELTS Test/Exam)
Many local languages today are dying out due to the rise of languages like English.
Is this a positive or negative development?
The ubiquity of English as a lingua franca is leading to lesser known languages fading away. Although this is a great cultural loss for the world as a whole, it is a positive development for the ethnic groups in question.
Those who regret these loses point out the irreplaceable role of unique languages among ethnic peoples. A good example of this would be in India which is home to 22 national languages and hundreds of unofficial languages in various states of decay. Once a region begins to assimilate and learn English and Hindi, their native tongue becomes antiquated. Since language does more to shape how we see the world than our vision, this also means an interpretation of the world falls away. Over time, younger people will tend to follow global or national trends rather than local ones and the culture itself will be at risk.
Despite the disadvantages mentioned above, assimilation means progress. Western tourists might feel their right to see authentic ethnic minorities is being stripped away, but those groups typically want better lives for themselves and their children. Speaking a language known only to a small group of people greatly limits your opportunities. You can remain in your village and live below the poverty line your entire life or learn a widely-spoken language and be able to travel, work and stay abreast of developments abroad. Even if they do not leave the country, they can move to bigger cities and pursue their passion. Those that remain in their villages, will have better chances of finding online work as well.
In conclusion, the disappearance of smaller languages is inevitable and positive from a purely utilitarian point of view. It would be great to find a means of supporting indigenous tribes that choose to preserve their ancestors way of life.
Word Count: 300
Analysis
1. The ubiquity of English as a lingua franca is leading to lesser known languages fading away. 2. Although this is a great cultural loss for the world as a whole, it is a positive development for the ethnic groups in question.
- Paraphrase the overall essay topic.
- Give your opinion.
1. Those who regret these loses point out the irreplaceable role of unique languages among ethnic peoples. 2. A good example of this would be in India which is home to 22 national languages and hundreds of unofficial languages in various states of decay. 3. Once a region begins to assimilate and learn English and Hindi, their native tongue becomes antiquated. 4. Since language does more to shape how we see the world than our vision, this also means an interpretation of the world falls away. 5. Over time, younger people will tend to follow global or national trends rather than local ones and the culture itself will be at risk.
- Write a clear topic sentence with a single main idea.
- Develop it with an example.
- Keep developing the example.
- State the results of your example.
- Further state the results.
1. Despite the disadvantages mentioned above, assimilation means progress. 2. Western tourists might feel their right to see authentic ethnic minorities is being stripped away, but those groups typically want better lives for themselves and their children. 3. Speaking a language known only to a small group of people greatly limits your opportunities. 4. You can remain in your village and live below the poverty line your entire life or learn a widely-spoken language and be able to travel, work and stay abreast of developments abroad. 5. Even if they do not leave the country, they can move to bigger cities and pursue their passion. 6. Those that remain in their villages, will have better chances of finding online work as well.
- Another topic sentence with a main idea at the end.
- Explain your main idea if it needs explanation.
- Develop your main idea with specific, clear support.
- Add in as much detail as possible.
- Continue with more detail.
- The more secific and detailed the better!
1. In conclusion, the disappearance of smaller languages is inevitable and positive from a purely utilitarian point of view. 2. It would be great to find a means of supporting indigenous tribes that choose to preserve their ancestors way of life.
- Repeat your opinion.
- Add in a final thought/extra detail.
Vocabulary
The ubiquity of English as a lingua franca is leading to lesser known languages fading away. Although this is a great cultural loss for the world as a whole, it is a positive development for the ethnic groups in question.
Those who regret these loses point out the irreplaceable role of unique languages among ethnic peoples. A good example of this would be in India which is home to 22 national languages and hundreds of unofficial languages in various states of decay. Once a region begins to assimilate and learn English and Hindi, their native tongue becomes antiquated. Since language does more to shape how we see the world than our vision, this also means an interpretation of the world falls away. Over time, younger people will tend to follow global or national trends rather than local ones and the culture itself will be at risk.
Despite the disadvantages mentioned above, assimilation means progress. Western tourists might feel their right to see authentic ethnic minorities is being stripped away, but those groups typically want better lives for themselves and their children. Speaking a language known only to a small group of people greatly limits your opportunities. You can remain in your village and live below the poverty line your entire life or learn a widely-spoken language and be able to travel, work and stay abreast of developments abroad. Even if they do not leave the country, they can move to bigger cities and pursue their passion. Those that remain in their villages, will have better chances of finding online work as well.
In conclusion, the disappearance of smaller languages is inevitable and positive from a purely utilitarian point of view. It would be great to find a means of supporting indigenous tribes that choose to preserve their ancestors way of life.
Answers
ubiquity common
lingua franca common language
lesser known not as common
fading away disappearing
great cultural loss loss of heritage
world as a whole globally
ethnic groups in question the relevant minorities
regret feel bad about
irreplaceable role crucial
unique special
national languages common language recognised by the government
unofficial languages smaller languages in a country
various states of decay starting to disappear
assimilate become part of the culture
native tongue native language
antiquated old/outdated
shape mold/influence
vision seeing
interpretation opinion
falls away disappears
tend likely to
follow global or national trends globalisation
at risk in danger
assimilation noun of assimilate
progress modernity
authentic ethnic minorities real groups
stripped away taken away
greatly limits your opportunities not as many options
remain stay
below the poverty line very poor
widely-spoken language common language
abreast up to date about
pursue their passion study/work in the field they want
finding online work getting a job you can work from a computer
inevitable will happen
purely utilitarian point of view completely concerned with the use or practical aspect
supporting indigenous tribes helping ethnic groups
preserve their ancestors way of life keep alive their cultural history
Pronunciation
ju(ː)ˈbɪkwɪti
ˈlɪŋgwə ˈfræŋkə
ˈlɛsə nəʊn
ˈfeɪdɪŋ əˈweɪ
greɪt ˈkʌlʧərəl lɒs
wɜːld æz ə həʊl
ˈɛθnɪk gruːps ɪn ˈkwɛsʧən
rɪˈgrɛt
ˌɪrɪˈpleɪsəbl rəʊl
juːˈniːk
ˈnæʃənl ˈlæŋgwɪʤɪz
ˌʌnəˈfɪʃəl ˈlæŋgwɪʤɪz
ˈveərɪəs steɪts ɒv dɪˈkeɪ
əˈsɪmɪleɪt
ˈneɪtɪv tʌŋ
ˈæntɪkweɪtɪd
ʃeɪp
ˈvɪʒən
ɪnˌtɜːprɪˈteɪʃən
fɔːlz əˈweɪ
tɛnd
ˈfɒləʊ ˈgləʊbəl ɔː ˈnæʃənl trɛndz
æt rɪsk
əˌsɪmɪˈleɪʃ(ə)n
ˈprəʊgrəs
ɔːˈθɛntɪk ˈɛθnɪk maɪˈnɒrɪtiz
strɪpt əˈweɪ
ˈgreɪtli ˈlɪmɪts jɔːr ˌɒpəˈtjuːnɪtiz
rɪˈmeɪn
bɪˈləʊ ðə ˈpɒvəti laɪn
ˈwaɪdli-ˈspəʊkən ˈlæŋgwɪʤ
əˈbrɛst
pəˈsjuː ðeə ˈpæʃən
ˈfaɪndɪŋ ˈɒnˌlaɪn wɜːk
ɪnˈɛvɪtəbl
ˈpjʊəli ˌjuːtɪlɪˈteərɪən pɔɪnt ɒv vjuː
səˈpɔːtɪŋ ɪnˈdɪʤɪnəs traɪbz
prɪˈzɜːv ðeər ˈænsɪstəz weɪ ɒv laɪf
Listen and repeat:
Vocabulary Practice
The u___________ of English as a l___________ is leading to l___________ languages f___________. Although this is a g___________ for the w___________, it is a positive development for the e___________.
Those who r___________ these loses point out the i___________ of u___________ languages among ethnic peoples. A good example of this would be in India which is home to 22 n___________ and hundreds of u___________ in v___________. Once a region begins to a___________ and learn English and Hindi, their n___________ becomes a___________. Since language does more to s___________ how we see the world than our v___________, this also means an i___________ of the world f___________. Over time, younger people will t___________ to f___________ or n___________ rather than local ones and the culture itself will be a___________.
Despite the disadvantages mentioned above, a___________ means p___________. Western tourists might feel their right to see a___________ is being s___________, but those groups typically want better lives for themselves and their children. Speaking a language known only to a small group of people g___________. You can r___________ in your village and live b___________ your entire life or learn a w___________ and be able to travel, work and stay a___________ of developments abroad. Even if they do not leave the country, they can move to bigger cities and p___________. Those that remain in their villages, will have better chances of f___________ as well.
In conclusion, the disappearance of smaller languages is i___________ and positive from a p___________. It would be great to find a means of s___________ that choose to p ___________.
Listen and check:
Listening Practice
Watch the video below for some more ideas and examples in case if a similar question comes up on your exam:
Reading Practice
Read more here about this interesting topic from National Geographic:
Speaking Practice
Answer the questions below from the real speaking exam:
Conversation
- Do you enjoy talking with your friends?
- What do you usually talk about?
- Have the kind of conversations you have changed much?
- Do you like listening to your friends tell stories?
Writing Practice
Practice with a similar question related to language below:
Living in a country where you have to speak a foreign language can cause serious social problems, as well as practical problems.
To what extent do you agree or disagree with this statement?
Real Past IELTS Tests/Exams
Wow this materials has been helping me a lot thank you I appreciate your work
You’re very welcome, Sevinch!