When A Country Develops Its Technology, the Traditional Skills and Ways of Life Die Out - IELTS Band 9 Sample Essays

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Sample Essay 1

As countries modernize, rapid technological advancement often disrupts traditional practices and cultural norms. While some argue that preserving these customs is futile, I firmly disagree. Technological progress and cultural heritage are not mutually exclusive. In fact, traditional skills offer invaluable social, economic, and cultural value that should be preserved. This essay will explore how cultural heritage can coexist with technology and why maintaining traditional practices remains crucial for identity and sustainability.

It is a misconception that technological development must eliminate traditional ways of life. On the contrary, technology can actively support the revival and preservation of such practices. For example, many indigenous weaving techniques, once at risk of disappearing, have found new global audiences through digital platforms such as Etsy or Instagram. These tools allow artisans to reach international markets, generating income and interest while keeping the practice alive. Moreover, technology can document endangered languages, archive folklore, and digitize historic craftsmanship techniques, offering a lifeline to traditions that might otherwise vanish. This demonstrates that rather than erasing heritage, innovation can amplify it when used strategically.

Equally important is the cultural and ecological wisdom embedded in many traditional skills. In an era of climate crisis and mass production, traditional knowledge often provides more sustainable alternatives. For instance, vernacular architecture—constructed using locally sourced, natural materials—has proven to be both environmentally efficient and well-suited to regional climates. In contrast, modern buildings frequently rely on energy-intensive materials and artificial cooling systems. Dismissing traditional methods as obsolete ignores their practical relevance and underestimates the long-term value they offer in creating a more sustainable future. Preserving these skills is not an exercise in nostalgia but a pragmatic investment in resilience and adaptability.

In conclusion, while technology undeniably reshapes societies, it need not annihilate traditional ways of life. Rather, it can serve as a bridge that connects the past with the future. Protecting traditional skills preserves cultural identity and promotes sustainability—objectives that should never be deemed pointless in an evolving world.

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Sample Essay 2

As nations embrace modern technology, time-honoured customs and traditional expertise often fade into obscurity. While some believe these cultural remnants should be preserved, I completely agree that such efforts are largely futile. In my view, technological evolution inevitably renders many ancestral practices irrelevant, and attempting to maintain them in the face of progress often diverts valuable resources. This essay will argue that innovation naturally displaces outdated traditions and that preserving them offers limited practical benefit in a fast-changing world.

The primary reason traditional skills and lifestyles vanish is that they no longer serve a functional purpose in modern society. Once cutting-edge techniques, such as letterpress printing or manual map-making, have been superseded by vastly superior digital alternatives that are faster, more cost-effective, and globally accessible. Clinging to older methods merely for sentimental reasons hinders progress and can even slow national development. For instance, insisting on maintaining agrarian techniques in rural economies where automation could vastly improve productivity simply reinforces poverty. When innovation delivers convenience, precision, and scalability, it is only natural—and rational—that societies move on. Technological advancement thrives on constant reinvention; nostalgia cannot be allowed to impede efficiency or global competitiveness.

Moreover, preserving traditional lifestyles often fails to account for the dynamic needs of younger generations. Many young people view ancestral customs not as cherished identities but as constraints—culturally rigid expectations that limit autonomy and socio-economic mobility. For example, in some communities, traditional roles may discourage women from pursuing modern careers, insisting instead on outdated domestic duties. In such cases, maintaining tradition becomes not a celebration of heritage but a barrier to personal freedom. Furthermore, government-led preservation schemes—such as subsidising obsolete crafts—frequently devolve into tokenistic displays with no sustainable economic return. Rather than forcing cultural continuity, a more forward-thinking approach would focus on equipping individuals with modern skills that align with current global realities.

In summary, as society becomes increasingly technology-driven, traditional skills and lifestyles will continue to recede, often with good reason. Rather than resisting this transition, embracing innovation allows societies to adapt, progress, and meet contemporary needs more effectively than outdated practices ever could.

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