Culture and Traditions
Prep
Activity 1 7 Activities
Using each letter of the word ‘culture’, write what culture means to you and your country. The first letter has
been done for you.
C elebrations
Share your answers with your partner.
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resources to make them easy to find but they are suitable for any student learning to speak English.
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Culture and Traditions Prep CAE
Activity 2
Complete these sentences using the words in the box.
globalisation significance perspective handed down
preservation cultural identity
1 She takes pride in her , knowing that the traditions she follows are part of her
heritage.
2 From my , learning about other cultures helps us to appreciate and understand
how people see the world.
3 Basque folk dances were from generations, ensuring that each new group
learned the movements and meanings behind them.
4 For my family, traditional festivals hold great in our lives, as they connect us to
our community and ancestors.
5 The of minority languages is essential in maintaining the customs that define
who we are as a community.
6 Some people say has made it easier for cultures to share ideas, but it also
threatens the uniqueness of traditions that have existed for centuries.
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Culture and Traditions Prep CAE
Activity 3
Using the previous exercise to help you, complete these prompts. Try using the vocabulary from the topic.
1 One tradition that my family values is
2 When people talk about cultural identity, I believe
3 One issue that affects local traditions is
4 In my opinion, a significant part of my country’s culture is
5 Another national culture that interests me is
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Culture and Traditions Prep CAE
Activity 4
Use the correct forms of the words in CAPITALS to complete the text. There is one example.
In today’s (0. RAPIDLY) changing world, many people worry that cultural traditions RAPID
may disappear. With the rise of 1 some customs GLOBAL
and practices are becoming more and more 2 in SIGNIFICANCE
comparison to the modern culture. However, many believe that it is important to
3 these traditions, as they play a crucial role in shaping a PRESERVATION
community’s 4 identity. Traditions and values that have CULTURE
been 5 down by generations often provide a sense of HAND
belonging. In contrast, other 6 may be that the blending of PERSPECTIVE
cultures can lead to richer, more diverse societies.
Activity 5
Complete the sentences with the correct forms of the verb pairs in brackets.
1 It’s crucial that people understand why different cultures and traditions (need/
respect).
2 The celebrations started off well. The firepit (be/lit) and people were beginning
to dance to the music.
3 In many countries, cultural traditions (be/forget) because of globalisation and
perhaps social media.
4 Let’s think of a plan B because the festive cake (should/make) hours ago,
people won’t have anything to eat!
5 As expected, the museum (be/close) due to a lack of visitors.
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Culture and Traditions Prep CAE
Activity 6
Rewrite the sentences starting with the words given to make them passive sentences.
1 Globalisation has influenced traditional customs all over the world.
Traditional customs
2 Some chefs around the world create unique dishes that reflect their cultural heritage.
Unique dishes
3 The local government will support festivals to promote cultural identity.
Festivals
4 In many countries, citizens must follow strict rules during religious ceremonies.
Strict rules
5 Multicultural societies usually speak many different languages.
Many different languages
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Culture and Traditions Prep CAE
Activity 7
Read these sentences about essay writing for C1 Advanced. Tick the sentences that you think are true.
You should always start an essay with an introduction. 1
You don’t have to pay attention to your language style. 2
You must be against the argument presented. 3
You should try linking your ideas between and within paragraphs. 4
You can use passive structures to introduce general statements. 5
Now write your own answer to this essay question about culture and traditions. Remember to use
vocabulary from the topic and passive structures when possible.
Your class has listened to a radio discussion about whether local festivals should still be held in your
town. You have made the notes below:
Local festivals
• Cultural identity
• Relevance today
• Preservation of traditions
Some opinions expressed in the
discussion:
“ It’s too much hassle and hardly
anybody attends.”
“We need to keep them for previous
generations!”
“The town will lose its spirit without
them!”
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Culture and Traditions Prep CAE
Write an essay discussing two of the factors in your notes. You should say which issue you feel is the
most significant in determining whether local festivals should be held in your town.
You may, if you wish, make use of the opinions expressed in the discussion, but you should use your
own words as far as possible.
Write 220 - 260 words in an appropriate style.
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Culture and Traditions Prep CAE
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Culture and Traditions Prep CAE
Answers
Activity 1
Students’ own answers
Activity 2
1 cultural identity
2 perspective
3 handed down
4 significance
5 preservation
6 globalisation
Activity 3
Students’ own answers
Activity 4
1 GLOBALISATION
2 INSIGNIFICANT
3 PRESERVE
4 CULTURAL
5 HANDED
6 PERSPECTIVES
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Culture and Traditions Prep CAE
Activity 5
1 need to be respected.
2 was being lit.
3 have been forgotten / are being forgotten
4 should have been made
5 was closed / has been closed
Activity 6
1 Traditional customs all over the world have been influenced by globalisation.
2 Unique dishes that reflect cultural heritage are created by some chefs around the world.
3 Festivals will be supported by the local government to promote cultural identity.
4 Strict rules must be followed during religious ceremonies in many countries.
5 Many different languages are usually spoken in multicultural societies.
Activity 7
You should always start an essay with an introduction. 1
You don’t have to pay attention to your language style. 2
You must be against the argument presented. 3
You should try linking your ideas between and within paragraphs. 4
You can use passive structures to introduce general statements. 5
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