When a Country Develops its Technology the Traditional Skills and Ways of Life Die Out – IELTS Writing Task 2

Given below is a real IELTS Writing Part 2 Essay question. We have provided sample essays as well as an essay outline so that you can practice writing your own!

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Read the sample essay for When a country develops its technology, the traditional skills and ways of life die out. It is pointless to try and keep them alive. Do you agree and disagree with this statement?

Sample Essay 1

Old traditional skills and lifestyles are dying due to technological advances. It is a contentious issue. Many individuals believe that it is pointless to put too much effort into saving it. In my opinion, I don’t agree that it’s pointless saving the traditional skills and techniques. In the following paragraphs, I shall explain my point of view and provide supporting reasons.

Many traditions and talents throughout the world are being abandoned and replaced by machines in this new technological era. One of the most prominent instances of this phenomenon is the worldwide decline in hand-made fabrics. Today, factories create millions of machine-printed fabrics, which have replaced hand-knitted fabrics. The production costs are reduced, and designs appeal to the majority of buyers throughout the world, due to which many artists have lost their jobs. Local marketplaces are dwindling in popularity and people are suffering.

Besides that, life is becoming computerized, forcing ancient practices to become obsolete. Conventional skills provide innovative ideas for the development of modern technologies. Our predecessors’ invisible thread of old traditional skills and practices connect us with them. It helps us learn how things are created better to understand our culture, community, and nationality. These talents and skills help define and communicate a group’s beliefs and abilities, as well as how they interact with their environment.

However, technology has indeed made the life of people simpler. Almost everything nowadays is done with contemporary technology, which makes physical labour easier. Yet, one cannot overlook the wealth of knowledge that individuals gain from traditional skills and techniques.

Overall, traditional skills and practices are undeniably dwindling. One must acknowledge that traditional skills and techniques are a means of tying people together and educating them about their culture, society, country, and many other topics.

Vocabulary

• Contentious

Meaning: (adjective) causing or likely to cause an argument; controversial.
Eg: Globalization is a contentious issue.

• Abandoned

Meaning: (adjective) having been deserted or left.
Eg: The toys have been abandoned by the children.

• Phenomenon 

Meaning: (noun) a fact or situation that is observed to exist or happen, especially one whose cause or explanation is in question.
Eg: Scientists observed a strange phenomenon in the environment.

• Prominent 

Meaning: (adjective) important; famous.
Eg: Alex has a prominent role in her company.

• Dwindling 

Meaning: (adjective) gradually diminishing in size, amount, or strength.
Eg: The supply of organic fruits and vegetables is dwindling.

• Obsolete

Meaning: (adjective) no longer produced or used; out of date.
Eg: The traditional banking system is becoming obsolete.

• Predecessors 

Meaning: (noun) a person who held a job or office before the current holder.
Eg: The new doctor is more knowledgeable than his predecessor.

• Conventional 

Meaning: (adjective) based on or in accordance with what is generally done or believed.
Eg: Zen follows a conventional approach to fulfill his tasks.

• Appeal

Meaning: (verb) make a serious, urgent, or heartfelt request.
Eg: Yesterday, the president appealed to citizens to stay indoors.

• Interact 

Meaning: (verb) act in such a way as to have an effect on each other.
Eg: The trainer wanted her students to interact with each other.

Outline

Essay Type

Opinion essay

Introduction

State your opinion clearly (whether you agree or disagree). Explain in brief what you are going to write in the body of your essay.

Old traditional skills and lifestyles are dying due to technological advances. It is a contentious issue. Many individuals believe that it is pointless to put too much effort into saving it.

Body

Paragraph 1: Many traditions and talents throughout the world are being abandoned and replaced by machines in this new technological era.

Paragraph 2: Conventional skills provide innovative ideas for the development of modern technologies.

Conclusion

Restate your opinion in clear and direct sentences.

Do you have an essay on this topic? Please post it in the comments section. One of our IELTS trainers will evaluate your essay from an examiner’s point of view and reply to the comment.

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Sample Essay 2

Technology is an integral part of everybody’s lives, and it clearly assists us in adapting to consistent developments. I disagree with the perception that traditional skills should disappear with the technological development in a nation. There are two major reasons that I shall discuss in the forthcoming paragraphs.

On the one hand, traditional skills are considered the heritage that we have taken over from our ancestors. Thus, it is our responsibility to preserve them and pass them on to the next generation. The technological development is an enormous benefit for traditional skills. With the help of technology, we can enhance our skills and introduce innovations by combining technology and traditional skills. For example, handmade painting is a traditional skill. With the help of technology-induced Photoshop, people can give it a unique, more appropriate touch. The combination between photoshop and handmade painting could be a considerable innovation. People cannot just create wonders but earn massively as well.

On the other hand, though the technology is developing at a sharp rate, the traditional skill used products still have a high position in the market. For instance, Indian traditional products, including handcrafted decor items, are still being sold at a global level. There are thousands of artisans earning their bread and butter by selling these handmade items to foreign tourists and established companies. It proves that traditional products still have higher demands in the market.

While the traditions that are not being used by a lot of people won’t make a difference if extinct, on a larger scale, improvements in these traditions can always be beneficial.

To sum it up, traditional skills are alive, even though the technology is increasing dramatically. It has a special place in everyone’s lives. Also, the popularity of traditional skills can enhance if the combination with technology is tried and tested at a larger scale.

Sample Essay 3

Digital advancements are the hallmark of the 21st century. Today, nearly every nation across the globe has felt the impact of this wave of technological innovation and has adapted to this phenomenon in some way or the other. However, this occurrence poses an imminent threat to a modest and conventional way of life. It is widely believed that avoiding this change and safeguarding the old ways is impractical. I am a strong supporter of this notion. In the forthcoming paragraphs, I will elaborate on the topic and justify my views with relevant instances.

It is indeed important to acknowledge the various indigenous trades that are present in every nation. The traditional skills prevalent in a region are an intrinsic part of the local culture. Such abilities and ensuing products, although unique, are expensive and require more time and financial investment. Also, the quality standards of such commodities are inconsistent due to the absence of sophisticated machine-based manufacturing techniques.

Furthermore, the chief benefit enjoyed with the employment of technological facilities is the degree of convenience. The reduction of human effort is the prime goal of digital modernization. Today, an individual can access and fulfil all of their necessities and demands at the tip of their fingertips, owing to the advent of the Internet and its subsequent services. The availability of nearly all kinds of domestic and luxurious commodities online has led to such a measure of comfort that was previously unimaginable. Thus, avoiding such resources and following an archaic lifestyle is illogical in this day and age.

Nevertheless, we must also address the fact that a basic manner of living is less stressful and mentally undemanding. However, the level of inefficiency faced, as a consequence, is detrimental to the survivability of an individual regularly.

Finally, progress is a natural occurrence in human civilization and we have to adapt to the reforms as and when they happen. Therefore, it is prudent to accept such technological transformations rather than going against the majority.

Band 9 Sample Essay

The significant predicament with the development of technology influencing the traditional skills and conventional lifestyle is quite a controversial topic and requires a profound argument. At a glance, I disagree with the opinion expressed on the topic as technology doesn’t have enough power to completely eradicate the traditional skills from a community, culture or a country. I shall highlight my perception in the following paragraphs.

In a lot of ways, the history of civilisation is interlinked with the history of technology, keeping in mind the discovery of fire, the invention of the wheel and the latest evolution of the internet. We are constantly moving forward, bringing efficient and better ways of living to the world. Definitely, most of the people would want to preserve such traditions. Technology will always be following its footsteps, regardless of what people think. The advancements in technology are the sheer requirements of people. Thus, preventing or abolishing the technological advancement would not be a possibility. Rather, people should embrace the trends positively. Intriguingly, technology can contribute positively to keeping the traditional skills alive. For instance, the population of certain islands is quite restricted to have a regular schooling system. Instead of compelling families to send children to the mainland, authorities have commenced online education for school children.

When it comes to preserving the traditions and customs, the generation of a country is liable for it. If people are willing to save a tradition, technological advancements, in no way, can destroy it. For instance, people found more benefits in machinery and the latest equipment as they could save tons of time and effort. Hence, they let a few traditions die out to bring technology, such as handmade fabric, ploughing of fields in some areas, and more.

Sure, there are certain technologies that have overtaken traditional skills, such as machinery being used to manufacture some fabric that was earlier handmade. However, it also has to be noted that technology is not backed up enough to eliminate every traditional skill altogether.

Concluding the essay, it can be stated that the evolution of technology is not pointless in any way and we, as people, should keep our traditions alive to support our standard of living.

More Writing Task 2 Essay Topics

• The Crime Rate Nowadays is Decreasing Compared to the Past Due to Advances in Technology
• Some People Think That a Sense of Competition in Children Should be Encouraged
• In Many Countries Children are Engaged In Some Kind of Paid Work
• Students Perform Better in School When They Are Rewarded Rather Than Punished 
• We are Becoming Increasingly Dependent on Computers