IELTS Writing Task 2: The Importance of Cultural Preservation – Sample Essays Band 6-9 with Analysis

Introduction

Cultural preservation has emerged as one of the most frequently tested topics in IELTS Writing Task 2 over the past five years. This topic appears regularly because it touches on globalization, identity, tradition, and modernization—all themes that test your ability to discuss complex societal issues with nuance and depth.

In this comprehensive guide, you’ll discover three authentic sample essays representing Band 5-6, Band 6.5-7, and Band 8-9 levels. You’ll learn exactly what distinguishes each band score through detailed analysis, understand the essential vocabulary and sentence structures that examiners reward, and gain practical strategies to improve your own writing.

Verified Past IELTS Questions on This Topic:

1. “Some people believe that cultural traditions are destroyed when they are used as money-making attractions for tourists. Others believe this is the only way to save these traditions. Discuss both views and give your opinion.” (Reported: March 2022, Academic)

2. “In many countries, traditional customs and practices are disappearing. Why is this happening? What can be done to preserve them?” (Reported: September 2021, Academic)

3. “Some people think that governments should spend money on preserving minority languages, while others believe this is a waste of resources. Discuss both views and give your opinion.” (Reported: January 2023, Academic)

Understanding importance of cultural preservation in the face of globalization becomes increasingly crucial as these questions continue appearing in actual exams worldwide.

Question & Analysis

Some people believe that it is important to preserve cultural traditions, while others think that traditions prevent progress and should be abandoned. Discuss both views and give your own opinion.

Question Type: Discussion + Opinion (Two-part question)

Key Terms Explained:

• Preserve: To maintain, protect, and keep alive for future generations
• Cultural traditions: Customs, practices, beliefs, and values passed down through generations
• Prevent progress: Act as obstacles to development, modernization, or improvement
• Abandoned: Completely given up or stopped

Common Pitfalls:

1. Only discussing one view instead of both
2. Forgetting to state your own opinion clearly
3. Using vague examples instead of specific cultural traditions
4. Writing an unbalanced essay (one view much longer than the other)
5. Confusing “cultural traditions” with “modern culture”

Strategic Approach:

• Spend 5 minutes planning to ensure balanced coverage
• Dedicate one body paragraph to each view
• State your opinion in both introduction and conclusion
• Use specific examples (festivals, languages, crafts, ceremonies)
• Link traditions to tangible benefits or drawbacks

Band 8-9 Sample Essay

What Makes a Band 8-9 Essay:
A Band 8-9 essay demonstrates sophisticated vocabulary used naturally, complex grammatical structures handled with flexibility, fully developed arguments with relevant examples, and seamless organization with skillful use of cohesive devices.

In an era characterized by rapid technological advancement and globalization, the debate surrounding cultural preservation has intensified. While some argue that maintaining traditions is essential for cultural identity, others contend that such practices impede societal development. This essay will examine both perspectives before arguing that selective preservation offers the most pragmatic approach.

Proponents of cultural preservation emphasize its role in maintaining social cohesion and individual identity. Traditional practices, such as Japan’s tea ceremony or India’s classical dance forms, serve as repositories of ancestral wisdom and provide communities with a sense of continuity amid constant change. Furthermore, cultural traditions often embody sustainable practices developed over centuries; for instance, indigenous farming techniques in the Amazon basin have proven more ecologically sound than modern industrial agriculture. Without these traditions, societies risk losing irreplaceable knowledge systems that have practical applications in contemporary contexts.

Conversely, critics argue that rigid adherence to tradition can hinder progress and perpetuate harmful practices. Certain cultural norms, such as caste-based discrimination or gender inequality, have no place in modern society despite their historical significance. Additionally, excessive focus on preservation may divert resources from pressing needs like education or healthcare. Countries that have modernized rapidly, such as Singapore, demonstrate that economic prosperity can be achieved without maintaining every ancestral custom, suggesting that selective abandonment of outdated traditions can facilitate development.

In my view, the solution lies not in wholesale preservation or abandonment, but in critical evaluation of which traditions merit continuation. Societies should preserve practices that promote social harmony, environmental sustainability, and cultural diversity while actively discarding those that violate human rights or impede scientific progress. The key is maintaining traditions that can coexist with, rather than contradict, modern values.

In conclusion, while both perspectives have merit, I believe that balanced selectivity in cultural preservation offers the most viable path forward. By retaining valuable traditions while embracing beneficial change, societies can honor their heritage without sacrificing progress.

(Word count: 318)

IELTS Writing Task 2 band scores comparison for cultural preservation essays showing assessment criteria

Band Score Analysis

Why This Essay Excels:

1. Sophisticated Thesis Statement: The phrase “selective preservation offers the most pragmatic approach” immediately demonstrates nuanced thinking beyond the basic question parameters.

2. Precise Vocabulary Choices: Terms like “repositories of ancestral wisdom” and “coexist with, rather than contradict” show lexical sophistication that goes beyond memorized phrases.

3. Concrete, Relevant Examples: References to Japan’s tea ceremony, Amazon farming techniques, and Singapore’s development provide specific evidence rather than vague generalizations.

4. Balanced Development: Both perspectives receive equal attention (approximately 80 words each), demonstrating fairness and thorough analysis.

5. Complex Sentence Structures: The essay seamlessly incorporates relative clauses, participial phrases, and subordination without sacrificing clarity.

6. Cohesive Flow: Each paragraph connects logically to the next, with clear topic sentences and effective transition phrases guiding the reader.

7. Clear Position: The writer’s opinion is stated explicitly in the introduction, developed in the third body paragraph, and reinforced in the conclusion.

Band 6.5-7 Sample Essay

What Makes a Band 6.5-7 Essay:
A Band 6.5-7 essay shows good control of grammar and vocabulary with some flexibility, addresses all parts of the task with a clear position, and demonstrates logical organization, though it may lack the sophistication and seamless flow of Band 8-9 writing.

The question of whether cultural traditions should be preserved or abandoned is widely debated today. Some people think that keeping traditions alive is very important, while others believe traditions can stop progress. This essay will discuss both sides and give my opinion.

On the one hand, cultural traditions play an important role in society. Firstly, they help people maintain their identity and feel connected to their ancestors. For example, Chinese New Year celebrations bring families together and teach younger generations about their cultural heritage. Secondly, many traditions have educational value. Traditional crafts like pottery or weaving contain skills and knowledge that have been developed over hundreds of years. If these traditions disappear, this valuable knowledge will be lost forever. Finally, cultural traditions can boost tourism and create jobs. Countries like Thailand and Mexico attract millions of tourists who want to experience traditional festivals and customs.

On the other hand, some traditions can prevent societies from developing. Certain old customs are not suitable for modern life. For instance, in some cultures, women are expected to stay at home and not pursue education or careers. These traditional gender roles limit opportunities for half the population and slow down economic development. Moreover, maintaining some traditions requires significant financial resources. Governments might need to spend money on preserving ancient buildings or supporting traditional art forms, when this money could be used for schools or hospitals instead.

In my opinion, I believe that societies should preserve traditions that have positive effects, but should be willing to change or abandon traditions that are harmful. We need to find a balance between respecting our cultural heritage and allowing progress. Traditions that promote values like family unity, respect, and creativity should be maintained, but practices that discriminate or harm people should be stopped.

In conclusion, while cultural traditions are valuable for identity and education, some traditions can block progress. I think the best approach is to carefully choose which traditions to preserve based on whether they benefit society.

(Word count: 342)

Band Score Analysis

Direct Comparison with Band 8-9

Introduction Comparison:

Band 8-9: “In an era characterized by rapid technological advancement and globalization, the debate surrounding cultural preservation has intensified.”

Band 6.5-7: “The question of whether cultural traditions should be preserved or abandoned is widely debated today.”

The Band 8-9 version uses more sophisticated vocabulary (“characterized by,” “intensified”) and provides context, while the Band 6.5-7 version is more straightforward and basic.

Example Development Comparison:

Band 8-9: “Traditional practices, such as Japan’s tea ceremony or India’s classical dance forms, serve as repositories of ancestral wisdom and provide communities with a sense of continuity amid constant change.”

Band 6.5-7: “For example, Chinese New Year celebrations bring families together and teach younger generations about their cultural heritage.”

The Band 8-9 example uses more precise, academic vocabulary and connects the example to broader concepts, while the Band 6.5-7 example is simpler and more general.

Argument Depth Comparison:

Band 8-9: Introduces the nuanced concept of “selective preservation” and explores why certain traditions have practical modern applications.

Band 6.5-7: Makes valid points about preservation and abandonment but presents them more as a list without exploring the complexity of the issue.

Band 5-6 Sample Essay

What Makes a Band 5-6 Essay:
A Band 5-6 essay addresses the task with a recognizable position but may lack full development, uses a mix of simple and complex sentences with some errors, and shows adequate vocabulary for the task though with noticeable limitations and inaccuracies.

Nowadays, many people have different opinions about cultural traditions. Some people think traditions are important to keep, but other people think we should stop following traditions because they prevent progress. I will discuss both views in this essay.

First, I will talk about why traditions are important. Traditions help people remember their history and where they come from. For example, in my country, we have many festivals every year that our grandparents also celebrated. These festivals make people feel happy and bring community together. Also, traditions are good for teaching children about culture. When children learn traditional dances or songs, they can understand their culture better. Another reason is that tourists like to see traditional things when they visit countries. This can help the economy because tourists spend money.

However, some people believe traditions stop progress in society. Some old traditions are not good for modern world. For example, some traditions say that women cannot work or cannot choose who to marry. This is not fair and it stops development. These kind of traditions should be changed or stopped. Also, keeping traditions cost a lot of money. The government need to spend money to protect old buildings and support traditional activities. This money can be use for other important things like education and health.

In my opinion, I think some traditions are good but some are bad. We should keep the good traditions that make people happy and teach important values. But we should stop the bad traditions that hurt people or stop development. It is important to think carefully about each tradition.

To conclude, traditions have both advantages and disadvantages. Some traditions are valuable for culture and identity, but some traditions prevent progress. We need to be careful about which traditions we keep and which we change.

(Word count: 315)

Band Score Analysis

Learning from Mistakes

How to Improve from Band 6 to 7:

1. Develop Ideas More Fully: Instead of “Some old traditions are not good for modern world,” explain specifically which traditions and why: “Certain traditional practices, such as arranged marriages without consent, restrict individual freedom and contradict modern values of personal choice.”

2. Use More Precise Vocabulary: Replace repetitive basic words:

   • “good traditions” → “beneficial customs,” “valuable practices”
   • “bad traditions” → “outdated practices,” “harmful customs”
   • “stop progress” → “hinder development,” “impede advancement”

3. Vary Sentence Structures: Instead of repeatedly using “Some traditions…”, try:

   • “While certain customs…”
   • “Although traditional practices…”
   • “Despite their historical significance…”

4. Add Specific Examples: Replace “in my country” with actual names and details: “In Vietnam, the Tet festival…” or “In India, the caste system…”

5. Improve Cohesion: Use more sophisticated linking:

   • Instead of: “Also, traditions are good for…”
   • Use: “Furthermore, traditional practices contribute to…” or “In addition to preserving identity, traditions…”

6. Reduce Grammatical Errors: Proofread specifically for:

   • Subject-verb agreement
   • Article usage (a/an/the)
   • Correct verb forms after modals

Step by step progression from Band 6 to Band 7 in IELTS Writing showing key improvements

When discussing The importance of cultural preservation in a globalized world, candidates who achieve Band 7 consistently demonstrate these improvements throughout their essays, not just in isolated sentences.

Essential Vocabulary

For deeper understanding of vocabulary specific to this topic, exploring importance of cultural preservation will provide additional context for how these terms function in high-scoring essays.

High-Scoring Sentence Structures

1. Complex Subordination with Participle Phrases

Formula: Present/Past Participle + clause, main clause

Example from Band 8-9 Essay:
“Countries that have modernized rapidly, such as Singapore, demonstrate that economic prosperity can be achieved without maintaining every ancestral custom.”

Why It Scores Well: This structure demonstrates grammatical range by embedding information efficiently. It shows the writer can manipulate sentence elements to emphasize key points while maintaining clarity.

Additional Examples:

• “Recognizing the value of diversity, many nations have implemented policies to protect minority languages.”
• “Traditional practices, having evolved over centuries, often contain sustainable solutions to modern problems.”
• “Faced with rapid globalization, indigenous communities struggle to maintain their cultural identity.”

Common Mistakes to Avoid:

• ❌ “Modernizing rapidly, Singapore shows economic prosperity.” (Dangling modifier—unclear what is modernizing)
• ✅ “Modernizing rapidly, Singapore has demonstrated that economic growth and cultural change can occur simultaneously.”

2. Non-Defining Relative Clauses

Formula: Noun, which/who/where/whose + clause, verb

Example from Band 8-9 Essay:
“Traditional practices, such as Japan’s tea ceremony or India’s classical dance forms, serve as repositories of ancestral wisdom and provide communities with a sense of continuity amid constant change.”

Why It Scores Well: Non-defining relative clauses add sophisticated detail without disrupting sentence flow. They demonstrate the ability to provide supplementary information elegantly, which is a hallmark of advanced writing.

Additional Examples:

• “The Maori language, which was nearly extinct in the 1970s, has been revitalized through dedicated educational programs.”
• “UNESCO, whose mission includes protecting intangible heritage, recognizes thousands of cultural practices worldwide.”
• “Indigenous farming techniques, which have sustained communities for millennia, offer valuable lessons for sustainable agriculture.”

Common Mistakes to Avoid:

• ❌ “Traditional practices that are important should be preserved.” (This is a defining clause—changes meaning)
• ✅ “Traditional practices, which connect us to our ancestors, should be selectively preserved.”
• ❌ Missing commas: “Traditional crafts which require years of training are disappearing.”
• ✅ “Traditional crafts, which require years of training, are disappearing.”

3. Cleft Sentences for Emphasis

Formula: It is/was + noun/clause + that/who + clause

Example:
“It is through cultural traditions that societies maintain their distinct identities in an increasingly globalized world.”

Why It Scores Well: Cleft sentences demonstrate sophisticated control over information structure. They allow writers to emphasize specific elements and show variety in sentence patterns, both valued by IELTS examiners.

Additional Examples:

• “It is the younger generation who will determine which traditions survive into the future.”
• “What concerns many anthropologists is the rapid disappearance of indigenous languages.”
• “What makes cultural preservation challenging is the need to balance tradition with progress.”

Common Mistakes to Avoid:

• ❌ “It is traditions that is important.” (Subject-verb agreement error)
• ✅ “It is traditions that are important” OR “It is tradition that is important.”
• ❌ Overusing the structure—one per essay is sufficient

4. Advanced Conditionals (Mixed and Inverted)

Formula: Were/Had/Should + subject + verb, main clause

Example:
“Were traditional knowledge systems to disappear entirely, humanity would lose centuries of accumulated wisdom about sustainable living.”

Why It Scores Well: This structure demonstrates mastery of hypothetical situations and formal academic style. Inverted conditionals are particularly impressive as they’re rare even among native speakers in informal writing.

Additional Examples:

• “Had communities preserved their traditional languages more actively, many would not be endangered today.”
• “Should governments fail to support cultural preservation, future generations will have limited access to their heritage.”
• “Were tourism to threaten the authenticity of traditions, measures should be implemented to protect cultural integrity.”

Common Mistakes to Avoid:

• ❌ “Was traditional knowledge to disappear…” (Wrong verb form)
• ✅ “Were traditional knowledge to disappear…”
• ❌ Including “if” in inverted conditionals: “Were if traditions to disappear…”
• ✅ “Were traditions to disappear…” (No “if” needed)

5. Passive Voice with Modal Verbs for Academic Tone

Formula: Modal + be + past participle

Example from Band 8-9 Essay:
“Societies should preserve practices that promote social harmony, environmental sustainability, and cultural diversity while actively discarding those that violate human rights.”

Why It Scores Well: This construction creates an objective, academic tone appropriate for IELTS essays. It focuses on actions rather than actors and demonstrates grammatical sophistication.

Additional Examples:

• “Cultural artifacts must be protected from commercial exploitation while remaining accessible to communities.”
• “Traditional practices can be adapted to modern contexts without losing their essential meaning.”
• “Minority languages might be revitalized through immersion education programs and digital resources.”

Common Mistakes to Avoid:

• ❌ “Traditions should be preserve.” (Missing past participle)
• ✅ “Traditions should be preserved.”
• ❌ “Traditions should be preserving.” (Wrong form after modal + be)
• ✅ “Traditions should be preserved.”

Advanced grammatical structures for IELTS Writing Task 2 with practical examples and applications

6. Concessive Clauses for Balance

Formula: Although/While/Despite/Notwithstanding + clause, main clause

Example:
“While certain cultural norms have no place in modern society despite their historical significance, many traditions offer valuable lessons for contemporary challenges.”

Why It Scores Well: Concessive structures demonstrate the ability to present balanced arguments and acknowledge complexity. They show nuanced thinking beyond simple for/against positions, which is essential for high band scores.

Additional Examples:

• “Although globalization threatens cultural diversity, it also creates opportunities for intercultural exchange.”
• “Notwithstanding the challenges of preservation, many communities successfully maintain their traditions.”
• “Despite the costs involved, investing in cultural preservation yields long-term social benefits.”

Common Mistakes to Avoid:

• ❌ “Despite traditions are important…” (Wrong structure after “despite”)
• ✅ “Despite the importance of traditions…” OR “Although traditions are important…”
• ❌ “Although traditional practices are valuable, but they can also…” (No “but” after “although”)
• ✅ “Although traditional practices are valuable, they can also…”

Understanding how these structures function is particularly relevant when discussing importance of cultural preservation in a globalized world, as complexity of thought requires complexity of expression.

Self-Assessment Checklist

Before Writing (5 minutes)

Understanding the Question:

• [ ] Identified the question type (discussion, opinion, problem-solution, advantages-disadvantages)
• [ ] Underlined key terms and understood their precise meanings
• [ ] Determined exactly what the examiner expects (both views? my opinion? how many parts?)
• [ ] Brainstormed specific, relevant examples rather than generic statements

Planning:

• [ ] Created a simple outline with clear position statement
• [ ] Ensured balanced coverage if discussing multiple views (similar word count)
• [ ] Selected 2-3 strong supporting points for each main idea
• [ ] Identified where my opinion will appear (introduction, separate paragraph, or conclusion)

While Writing (30 minutes)

Task Response:

• [ ] Addressed ALL parts of the question
• [ ] Stated my position clearly in introduction
• [ ] Used specific examples (names, places, situations) not vague generalizations
• [ ] Developed each idea with explanation, not just listing points
• [ ] Maintained consistent position throughout

Organization:

• [ ] Introduction presents topic and thesis (50-60 words)
• [ ] Each body paragraph has one clear main idea
• [ ] Each body paragraph: topic sentence → explanation → example → link (100+ words)
• [ ] Conclusion summarizes and reinforces position (40-50 words)
• [ ] Used topic sentences that clearly state paragraph’s main point

Language:

• [ ] Varied vocabulary (avoided repeating same words)
• [ ] Used topic-specific vocabulary accurately
• [ ] Included academic collocations and phrases
• [ ] Mixed simple and complex sentences
• [ ] Used cohesive devices naturally (not mechanically)
• [ ] Maintained formal academic tone (no contractions, slang, or personal anecdotes)

After Writing (5 minutes)

Proofreading Priorities:

1. [ ] Check subject-verb agreement in every sentence
2. [ ] Verify article usage (a/an/the) especially before nouns
3. [ ] Confirm verb forms after modals (should be, can do, must preserve)
4. [ ] Look for sentence fragments and run-ons
5. [ ] Ensure plural/singular consistency
6. [ ] Check spelling of topic-related vocabulary

Final Verification:

• [ ] Word count is 250-300 words (not under 250, not over 320)
• [ ] Position is clear and consistent
• [ ] Examples are specific and relevant
• [ ] No obvious grammatical errors that impede understanding
• [ ] Conclusion doesn’t introduce completely new ideas

Time Management Tips

Recommended Time Allocation (40 minutes total):

• Minutes 0-5: Planning

  • Read and analyze question (2 min)
  • Brainstorm ideas and examples (2 min)
  • Create outline (1 min)

• Minutes 5-30: Writing (25 minutes)

  • Introduction (5 min)
  • Body Paragraph 1 (8 min)
  • Body Paragraph 2 (8 min)
  • Conclusion (4 min)

• Minutes 30-35: Proofreading (5 minutes)

  • Quick read for major errors
  • Focus on common personal mistakes
  • Verify word count

Time-Saving Strategies:

• Practice standard introductions and conclusions so they become automatic
• Memorize 3-4 flexible examples that can fit multiple topics
• Learn transition phrases so you don’t pause to think of connections
• Don’t aim for perfection—Band 9 allows minor errors
• If stuck on a word, use a simpler alternative and continue
• Write legibly the first time rather than rewriting sections

When Running Out of Time:

• Prioritize completing the conclusion over perfecting body paragraphs
• A brief but present conclusion is better than none
• If choosing between another example and proofreading, choose proofreading
• Focus on fixing errors that impede understanding, not minor vocabulary choices

Conclusion

Mastering essays on cultural preservation requires understanding both the conceptual depth of the topic and the technical requirements of IELTS Writing Task 2. Throughout this guide, you’ve seen how Band 8-9 essays demonstrate sophistication through precise vocabulary, complex grammatical structures, and nuanced arguments, while Band 6-7 essays show competence with occasional limitations, and Band 5-6 essays reveal fundamental understanding despite noticeable errors.

The key takeaways for improvement are clear: develop your ideas fully with specific examples rather than generalizations, expand your vocabulary beyond basic terms, master a range of grammatical structures, and ensure balanced coverage of all question parts. Remember that moving from Band 6 to Band 7 often hinges not on learning entirely new concepts but on refining execution—replacing generic vocabulary with precise terms, developing rather than listing ideas, and eliminating frequent grammatical errors.

To apply what you’ve learned, practice writing essays on related topics such as Cultural heritage preservation using the structures and vocabulary presented here. Set a timer for 40 minutes, follow the self-assessment checklist, and compare your work against the band descriptors provided.

Your improvement timeline should be realistic: with consistent practice, most students can improve one band score in 8-12 weeks. Focus on writing at least three full essays per week, analyzing model answers, and specifically addressing your weakest criterion based on feedback.

Recommended Next Steps:

1. Write your own response to the question in this guide
2. Compare your essay against the Band 6.5-7 sample
3. Identify three specific areas for improvement
4. Practice one new sentence structure each week
5. Build a personal vocabulary bank of topic-specific terms

For comprehensive practice, explore variations of this topic through importance of cultural preservation in the face of globalization, which presents slightly different angles requiring adapted approaches while using similar core concepts.

Share your practice essays in the comments below for community feedback, and let us know which aspect of cultural preservation topics you find most challenging. Remember, every high-scoring candidate started where you are now—consistent, focused practice makes the difference between hoping for a good score and confidently achieving it.

Additional resources that complement this guide include official IELTS practice materials, Cambridge IELTS series books 14-18, and authentic sample essays from verified sources. Regular reading of quality journalism on cultural topics will naturally improve both your ideas and language for these essays.

Your journey to IELTS Writing success begins with understanding what excellence looks like, practicing deliberately, and refining systematically. This guide has provided the roadmap—now it’s time to put it into action.