Some people think that young people should follow the traditions of their society, others believe that young people should be free to behave as individuals.

Practice this IELTS Writing Task 2 question on IELTSX. Some people think that young people should follow the traditions of their society, others believe that young people should be free to behave as individuals.

Young People Follow Traditions vs Individual Freedom - IELTS Writing Task 2

You should spend about 40 minutes on this task.

Discuss both the views and give your own opinion.

Write at least 250 words.

A student's answer to this task, and the feedback on it

Written by an IELTSX user under exam conditions and published unedited and anonymously. Band 7.5 · 270 words.

People have different views on whether the younger generation should follow the traditions of their society or behave independently. While some argue that young people ought to have the right to make their own decisions as individuals, I believe it is better for them to follow community traditions in order to preserve a country’s culture and pass it on to future generations.

It is true that young people should be free to choose whether or not to follow the traditions of their culture. Supporters of this view argue that individuals have the right to live according to their own beliefs and preferences. For example, when it comes to clothing, young people should not be forced to wear traditional outfits if they do not wish to do so. Instead, they may prefer to follow personal tastes and wear clothes that reflect their individuality. Being able to make such choices can help individuals feel more satisfied and confident in their lives.

Nevertheless, in my opinion, the younger generation should adhere to traditional values. This is essential for ensuring that cultural practices are preserved and passed on to future generations. When people continue to observe traditions, such as wearing traditional clothing on important occasions, these customs are more likely to survive over time. Moreover, shared traditions help strengthen social cohesion and allow society to maintain a collective identity in the long term.

In conclusion, although young people should have the freedom to make personal decisions, I remain convinced that they should not neglect their cultural traditions. By continuing to follow them, future generations are more likely to respect and preserve their cultural heritage.

Examiner feedback

This is a very well-written essay that demonstrates high linguistic proficiency. It is clear, logical, and uses sophisticated vocabulary. The primary factor preventing a higher score is the word count and depth of development; by expanding on the arguments and providing more detailed examples, the candidate could easily reach a Band 8.5 or 9.0.

Task Response - 7

- The essay addresses both parts of the prompt (tradition vs. individuality) and provides a clear personal opinion. - Main ideas are relevant and supported, though the development is somewhat brief; the essay is slightly under the recommended 250-word limit (approx. 225 words), which prevents it from reaching Band 8/9 in this category. - The example regarding clothing is appropriate but could be expanded with more nuanced reasoning to show how individuality impacts society beyond just 'satisfaction'.

Coherence & Cohesion - 8

- Information and ideas are sequenced logically with a clear progression from the introduction to the conclusion. - Paragraphing is used effectively, with each paragraph focusing on a distinct aspect of the prompt. - Cohesive devices (e.g., 'Nevertheless', 'Moreover', 'In conclusion') are used naturally and appropriately without being overused.

Lexical Resource - 8

- The writer uses a very good range of vocabulary with natural collocations such as 'social cohesion', 'collective identity', and 'cultural heritage'. - Precision in word choice is high, using terms like 'adhere to', 'observe traditions', and 'neglect'. - There are no noticeable spelling or word formation errors.

Grammatical Range & Accuracy - 8

- A wide range of structures is used, including conditional sentences ('if they do not wish to do so') and complex clauses ('While some argue...'). - The majority of sentences are error-free, demonstrating high control of grammar and punctuation. - Minor improvements could be made by using more varied passive structures or modal verbs to express nuance.

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