IELTS Writing Task 2/ Essay Topics with sample answer.
IELTS Essay # 1226 - Places around the world seem similar nowadays
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IELTS Writing Task 2/ IELTS Essay:
You should spend about 40 minutes on this task.
Write about the following topic:
In the past, people used to travel to see the differences from their home country. However, the sceneries in places around the world seem similar nowadays.
What are the causes of these similarities?
Do you think that the advantages of these similarities outweigh the disadvantages?
Give reasons for your answer and include any relevant examples from your own knowledge or experience.
Write at least 250 words.
Model Answer 1: [Viewpoint: It has more disadvantages]
Global tourism is enjoying an upsurge in popularity nowadays. However, this trend is accompanied by many complaints that similarities of the landscapes considerably reduce the delights and attractions of travel. Globalisation, in my mind, is the greatest reason for the similarities. I also think that it has more disadvantages than benefits.
No doubt, globalisation unifies the world in many different aspects. Girls in Shanghai can be witnessed to have the same street look as those in Paris and Milan; KFC and Pizza Hut are popular in Bangkok as they are back in California; the amazing film "2012" was premiered internationally at the same moment. Tourist attractions cannot escape from this sweeping trend. Therefore, it is quite normal to hear comments from a tourist in Hong Kong, claiming that what he or she has seen is just the same as in Tokyo.
This phenomenon, to me, is a depressing one despite a few minor benefits that it might offer. People may have sacrificed too many of their cultural identities for this. Culture is our ancestors' most treasurable heritage that is supposed to be passed on from generation to generation. It would be disastrous if people could only recall those busy shopping streets instead of the traditional lanes and houses after their trip to Vietnam. And I remember how frustrated I was when I found a lot of popular souvenirs in some foreign countries that could be bought back in Ho Chi Minh City — those delicate wooden sculptures really seemed far less appealing to me.
To conclude, since the trend of globalisation is inevitable, I suggest that both the government and the public make joint efforts in protecting and preserving their unique cultural features. Otherwise, global tourism would eventually turn out to be boring and pointless.
[Written & Submitted by - Margaret Chang] [An example of a Band 8/9 essay sample]
Model Answer 2: [Viewpoint: It has more advantages]
Our world has essentially become a global village, and it is only expected that things, including sceneries in different places, would look similar in one way or another. I think that these similarities carry more advantages than disadvantages, and this essay will explain why, as well as the reason behind such similarities.
Globalization is perhaps the single most contributing factor which makes cities look similar, makes Western food common in distant Asian countries, and inspires Africans to wear dresses designed by European designers. For instance, the last time I travelled to Tokyo in Japan, a city that was supposed to be quite a contrast from London or New York, I could hardly believe that I was out of my homeland!
Of course, it has some disadvantages since visitors are unable to see or experience anything “new” by investing their time and money. In this way, they are losing the benefits of their unique cultural identities, and the privileges that are associated with them. But, if we look at the bigger picture, we will see that such similarities are actually bringing us closer to each other, by eliminating at least some of the misunderstandings among us, as well as some invisible, man-made, cultural “barriers”, we had, among each other. And when we have a sense of more “closeness” among us, we will try harder to cooperate with each other to eradicate poverty and suffering from our world, sooner rather than later. Here we can actually dare argue that if we had such “cooperation” among us in the past, we did not really need to deal with people like “Hitler” or “Genghis Khan”.
In conclusion, we do not need some sceneries or popular landmarks to become symbols of “cultural and identity separation”, rather we want them to minimize the “difference” among us. And that is exactly what happens when we find places and sceneries to be similar to each other in different countries, even though its effects are not always visible and measurable.
Sample Answer 3: [Viewpoint: It has more disadvantages]
In modern times, the landscapes in different parts of the world are becoming increasingly similar. In the past, travellers sought out destinations that were distinct from their own countries, but this is no longer the case. In my opinion, while there are some benefits to these similarities, the disadvantages outweigh them. This is because such homogenization diminishes cultural diversity, and the natural beauty of unique locations is lost.
The primary causes of these similarities are globalisation and the rise of mass tourism. As more people travel the world, they seek out familiar experiences, which creates a demand for standardisation. This leads to the construction of hotels, restaurants, and attractions that are designed to appeal to a broad audience. In addition, technological advancements have enabled the replication of landscapes and attractions in different parts of the world. For example, Disney theme parks can be found in several countries, and they all offer similar experiences.
Despite some advantages, such as the ease of travel and familiarity, the disadvantages of these similarities are significant. Cultural diversity is reduced as unique experiences and traditions are replaced by standardised ones. Furthermore, this can lead to the exploitation of natural resources, as tourism development can harm ecosystems and the environment. For instance, the construction of hotels and resorts can lead to deforestation and pollution.
In conclusion, while there are benefits to the growing similarities of landscapes around the world, the disadvantages outweigh them. This is because cultural diversity is diminished, and unique locations lose their natural attractiveness. It is crucial that we preserve the uniqueness of different locations and promote cultural diversity, rather than standardising experiences everywhere.
What are the causes of these similarities? Do you think that the advantages of these similarities outweigh the disadvantages?
Sample Essay Answer:
Travelling is one of the favourite past times for numerous people around the globe. Whilst mankind used to travel to enjoy different aspects of a new country and marvel at their findings, these days people find similar sceneries and landscapes in most cities no matter where they travel. The primary reason for this occurrence is the rapid advancement of technology. In my opinion, the cons overtake the pros because this way, the places would lose their uniqueness and subsequently result in the decline of the tourism industry.
With the advent and rapid advancement of technology, humans are able to recreate the famous monuments that are present in other parts of the world. With the help of tools like high-speed internet, designing machines and so on architects and engineers can easily access the details regarding the design, materials used, etc, and duplicate them in their homeland. For example, the infamous Jesus statue of Brazil has a replica in a small town in southern India. Thus, it is evident that technology aids in reconstructing the sceneries. Technological advancements also make the buildings and constructions look similar in many cities across the globe.
Due to the similarities, the disadvantages take precedence over the advantages. Firstly, this way many places would lose their speciality which in turn leads to the second problem that is the decline in the number of visitors. To illustrate, as per a recent survey, the Taj Mahal is no longer listed as a crazily popular tourist spot because it has carbon copies created in countries like Pakistan and Bangladesh. In addition, it resulted in revenue loss to the government of India as fewer tourists are visiting the place. Therefore, it is proven that duplication of sceneries results in more damage than good.
To conclude, tourism is hampered by the copies that are constructed and the similarities of looks and feels of cities all around the world. It is, therefore, expected that countries will adhere to their cultural aspects to remain true to their identity, and this way, attract more tourists.
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