IELTS Writing Task 2/ Essay Topics with sample answer.

IELTS Essay # 1219 - Music for bringing people of different cultures and ages together

IELTS Writing Task 2/ IELTS Essay:

You should spend about 40 minutes on this task.

Write about the following topic:

Some people say that music is a good way of bringing people of different cultures and ages together.

To what extent do you agree or disagree with this opinion?

Give reasons for your answer and include any relevant examples from your own knowledge or experience.

Write at least 250 words. 



Model Answer 1: [Agreement]

Music plays a crucial role in our lives and eliminates differences among various cultures and generations. It symbolises harmony and reflects humanity. So, I agree with the notion that music helps bring people from various cultures and generations together.

One of the reasons music excretes barriers among different nations and cultures is that people enjoy music from every part of the world, and it speaks the same language, which embodies human emotion, joy, love and sorrow. Music does not need interpretation to be enjoyed and understood as it touches our hearts and resonates in our minds. No matter what language we speak or understand, we appreciate the melody and depth of music which is why people of all ages can sit together and enjoy the same music. For instance, some viral music in foreign languages in our country signifies how it speaks our minds and hearts rather than just a human language.

Moreover, nations influence each other with the type of music they produce and the type of musical instruments they use. This amalgamation reduces cultural differences and brings people from different cultures and ages to a common platform. To cite an example, many music genres, that we enjoy these days, were derived from multiple nations and cultures and people from all these cultures enjoy and love them.

Finally, music is an art form which is enjoyed by all, and this helps reduce the generation and age gaps among people. To illustrate, when the national anthem is played, children, adults and elders all tune in to the same emotion, which is patriotism, and their unity is stronger than ever. The same can be said when music evokes other emotions like love, sadness and so on. Besides, some music categories are loved by all, and the listeners feel a sense of togetherness in a divine way which is almost absent in other art forms. It not only eliminates age gaps but also generation and cultural gaps.

In conclusion, music, as a universally accepted and supreme art form, enriches our lives and strengthens the connections between us, regardless of our backgrounds, culture and age.



 

Model Answer 2: [Disagreement]

Music can stimulate our minds and bodies and also offer some temporary relief from mental agony and sadness. Music probably can do many other things, but it can not bring people of different cultures and ages together. And this essay will explain why we can not rely on music to accomplish such a difficult task.

Music has some elements and qualities to bring some like-minded people within, not outside of a certain culture, country or nation closer together in a common bond because the tone and tune of that music sound so familiar to them. Many music lovers even suggest that music is the food for our soul, regardless of our age. True that may be, but when we are pinning our hopes on music to unite people of different cultures and ages, we are becoming too much optimistic, to say the least, because culture is a very difficult subject to understand and so is “human nature”.

Culture is not only about what we like to listen to, or what we do not for some temporary pleasure or gratification.  Rather, culture, among other things, very predominantly is also about “how we are so dissimilar to each other”, and it is essentially this “wish” or “sentiment” that helps us cling to our own ways of life, no matter how “peculiar” or “weird” that may look to other cultures. It is because of this strong “sentiment” that even though, almost all the countries in the continent of South America essentially speak the same language or practice the same religion, they are not merged into only one country. The same applies to different ages as well, and that is why we see, more often than not, that while a young guy likes some heavy rock or heavy metal music, an older person likes a more traditional or classic type of music.

So, from the discussion above, it should be fairly clear to us that music is important for our life, but it is not a good way to bring people of different cultures or ages together.



Sample Answer 3: [Agreement]

Music is an art form that is enjoyed by people of all ages and cultures from all around the world. Some people believe that music is a powerful tool for bringing people of different cultures and ages together. In this essay, I will assert that music has the ability to unite people and promote cross-cultural understanding and explain why music can do such a profound task so easily.

Music has a universal language that transcends linguistic and cultural barriers. Regardless of their background, people can appreciate music for its emotional and artistic value. For example, during the COVID-19 pandemic, musicians around the world came together to create virtual performances that brought people together and provided solace during difficult times. Similarly, music festivals, such as Glastonbury in the UK, bring people from all walks of life together for a shared experience of music and culture.

Moreover, music has the power to promote cross-cultural understanding and acceptance. Through exposure to different musical genres and traditions, people can gain a deeper appreciation for other cultures and ways of life. For instance, in the 1960s, the Beatles' incorporation of Indian classical music into their work helped to popularize and promote Indian music and culture in the West. This in turn led to a greater understanding and appreciation of Indian culture among Western audiences.

In conclusion, music has the ability to bring people of different cultures and ages together by transcending linguistic and cultural barriers and promoting cross-cultural understanding. It is expected that this powerful media would be used to unite the world and eliminate our differences.



Sample Answer 4: [Disagreement]

It is claimed that music has the power to transcend cultural and age boundaries, and it is often promoted as a way to bring people together. However, I disagree with the opinion because I believe that its ability to truly bring people together is limited and often overestimated.

Music is not an effective means of uniting people because people have different musical tastes, and not all genres of music are universally popular. For instance, while some people may enjoy listening to classical music, others may prefer hip-hop or heavy metal music. Therefore, instead of promoting unity, music may create further division among people. In fact, some genres of music may even promote negative stereotypes and prejudices, which could lead to further disunity among people.

Furthermore, there are other more effective ways of bringing people of different cultures and generations together rather than music, such as through cultural festivals, sporting events, or community service projects. These activities allow people to work towards a common goal and promote a sense of unity and community spirit. For instance, volunteering at a local soup kitchen or participating in a community cleanup can bring people of different backgrounds together and foster a sense of togetherness. So in a sense, such events and programmes are more powerful in bringing people of different ages and cultures together than music.

In conclusion, while music can certainly be an enjoyable and entertaining activity, I do not believe that it is a reliable means of bringing people of different cultures and ages together. Rather, there are other more effective ways of promoting unity and community spirit that should be encouraged.

1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 Rating 4.27 (77 Votes)

A cat
I was wondering if is it possible for candidates to write one paragraph about the agreement on "cultures" and the other paragraph about the disagreement on "ages"? (I hope this makes sense aaaa- sorry I am not very good at English TT because I'm a cat meow >) Tysm for your time!!
IELTS Mentor Admin
Yes, it is possible and often recommended. However, try to emphasize more the view (agreement or disagreement) that you support. For instance, if the question is about banning capital punishment, and you agree with that, write more on the reasons why it should be banned. Hope this makes sense!
Snup
This is perfect. I mean, they're not really dominating the subject but are clearly explaining their points. Hope I could write like this.
Cxie
Why no one have tried to counter the statement?
Phan Hoàng Diệu
I think the examples are not specific enough.
Sonjoy
Music plays a crucial role in our lives and reduces differences among various societies and generations. It signifies harmony and reflects humanity. However, some individuals consider that music has a great impact on bringing different cultures and people to the same platform. So, I agree with the notion, and this essay will discuss why this is true.

First of all, music helps us mitigate the cultural differences amongst people all over the world. The reason is that variations of musical instruments and their rhymic sounds motivate people to listen to the music by forgetting the regional variations. Ultimately, it will reduce discrimination among people of different ages. To illustrate, when we listen to English songs, as it is not our mother tongue, we can feel the significance of it. As a result, the music of other countries and cultures is becoming more popular all over the globe and making a strong bond among us.

Another reason is that pioneer musicians have no border or boundaries because they can perform anywhere in the world despite cultural differences. To be more specific, nowadays artists from India are moving to the USA to perform which is globally recognized. Although citizens of the respective country may not understand the languages of the music, they love the voice, intonation, and musical approach. Moreover, when we hear the national anthem of any country, we just stand up and respect the country, which is mean that music can decline the animosity between us.

In conclusion, music is the only way by which we can enrich our love, strength, and respect for others. It will also broaden our minds and reduce cultural discrimination- which is very much crucial for understanding other cultures, values, and traditions.