ESSAY INFORMATION:
Written by: Xuân Phi, 15/09/2024
Supported by: Ex-BC Examiner, 16/09/2024
Question: Some people think that young people should follow traditions of the society. While other people think that young people should be free to behave as individuals. Discuss both the views and give your opinion.
(IELTS Academic – 14/09/2024)
ANSWER (8.0+):
It is sometimes asserted that youth ought to adhere to societal traditions, while opponents maintain that they should be allowed to express themselves as individuals. In this essay, I will elaborate on both sides of the argument and the reasons why I lean toward the latter idea.
On the one hand, there are several reasons why some advocate for young people to follow traditions. Firstly, adhering to them instills a sense of unity among individuals. This is because shared cultural practices, like national holidays or festivals, foster collective identity. An illustrative example of this is Vietnam where traditional festivals and rituals bring people together, reinforcing a sense of belonging to the nation and its cultural heritage. As well as this, maintaining positive cultural norms plays a crucial role in preserving societal values. For example, in China, the tradition of showing respect to elders not only strengthens family bonds but also promotes social harmony.
On the other hand, opponents believe that the freedom of choice should take priority for the young. Their foremost justification is that it encourages a greater sense of responsibility. When young individuals are given the liberty to make their own decisions, they learn to take ownership of their actions and consequences, which is an important part of personal development. Furthermore, allowing young people to behave freely fosters creativity. The liberal approach in the USA, where individual freedom is highly valued, has enabled the country to lead the world in technological and cultural innovation.
In conclusion, both sides of the argument have their merits. Traditions help maintain unity and cultural values, but in my opinion, young people should be entitled to decide how they behave. This freedom not only promotes responsibility but also drives creativity and progress. However, it is essential that schools and families guide young people to act with common sense and within legal boundaries, ensuring a balance between individual freedom and societal well-being.
(Word count: 318)
WORD LIST
| ENGLISH | TIẾNG VIỆT |
| To adhere to societal traditions | Tuân theo các truyền thống xã hội |
| To express themselves as individuals | Thể hiện bản sắc cá nhân |
| To instill a sense of unity | Thấm nhuần tinh thần đoàn kết |
| To maintain positive cultural norms | Duy trì các chuẩn mực văn hóa tích cực |
| To promote social harmony | Thúc đẩy sự hòa hợp xã hội |
| The freedom of choice | Quyền tự do lựa chọn |
| To foster creativity | Nâng cao tính sáng tạo |
| To maintain unity and cultural values | Duy trì sự đoàn kết và các giá trị văn hóa |
| To be entitled to | Được trao quyền |
| To drive creativity and progress | Thúc đẩy sự sáng tạo và tiến bộ |
| To act with common sense | Hành động với sự khôn ngoan nhạy bén |
