Some people believe that visitors to other countries should follow local customs and behaviour. Others disagree and think that the host country should welcome cultural differences. Discuss both these views and give your own opinion.
Sample Response
It is noticeable that people tend to travel more frequently these days than they used to do in the past. While I agree that the travellers should follow the host country’s traditions and cultures, I also think that the host country should welcome cultural differences.
On one hand, travellers should adapt to the culture of their host country and feel happy with the idea of trying new things. Nowadays, people not only consider travelling as a way to relax but also they think it is a chance for self-improvement and exploring the world. Travelling is a good opportunity to try new things such as traditional cuisine, music and customs and those who just travel to view landscapes waste a perfect chance to learn something new. For example, people who have visited places like India, Egypt or China have been very excited when they tried the local food or wore the traditional dress. An experience like this broadens people’s horizons and enriches their knowledge.
On the other hand, for many reasons the host country should accept and understand the different backgrounds of tourists. Firstly, for many visitors, it would be difficult to follow the host culture and customs because these usually different than their own and in some cases they may even be incompatible with their beliefs and morals. For example, Indian or Arabs who go to European countries may find it difficult to get used to the European taste in food because it does not contain as much spices as they have in their food. In addition, if travellers feel they are welcomed in the new country despite the cultural differences they will feel more comfortable to visit this place again.
In conclusion, I believe that it could be beneficial for travellers to get exposed to different cultures and customs. However, tourist destinations should be opened to the cultural diversity of its newcomers.
IELTS Writing Correction
- 1. Remove redundant time phrase Original: used to do in the past Suggested revision: did in the past Why it matters: 'Used to' already refers to the past, so the shorter comparison is clearer.
- 2. Use general plural noun Original: the travellers should follow Suggested revision: travellers should follow Why it matters: A general plural noun does not need the definite article.
- 3. Avoid overlapping categories Original: cultures Suggested revision: culture Why it matters: The response refers to one host country's culture generally alongside its specific traditions.
- 4. Complete contrast marker Original: On one hand Suggested revision: On the one hand Why it matters: The fixed paired transition requires the article 'the'.
- 5. Use openness phrase Original: feel happy with the idea Suggested revision: be open to the idea Why it matters: The revision expresses willingness to try unfamiliar customs more naturally.
- 6. Use natural sightseeing verb Original: view Suggested revision: see Why it matters: People normally 'see' landscapes when travelling.
- 7. Use opportunity collocation Original: waste a perfect chance Suggested revision: miss a valuable opportunity Why it matters: A person misses an opportunity rather than wastes a chance in this context.
- 8. Correct framing and number Original: for many reasons the host country Suggested revision: for several reasons, host countries Why it matters: The phrase needs a comma, and the general claim requires a plural subject.
- 9. Add verb and preposition Original: these usually different than Suggested revision: these are usually different from Why it matters: The clause needs 'are', and the standard comparison uses 'different from'.
- 10. Use parallel nationality nouns Original: Indian Suggested revision: Indians Why it matters: Both alternatives must be plural nouns referring to people.
- 11. Use cuisine term Original: the European taste in food Suggested revision: European cuisine Why it matters: The concise noun naturally refers to a region's food traditions.
- 12. Use countable quantifier Original: much Suggested revision: many Why it matters: 'Spices' is a plural countable noun and takes 'many'.
Suggested Rewrites
- used to do in the past did in the past
- the travellers should follow travellers should follow
- cultures culture
- On one hand On the one hand
- feel happy with the idea be open to the idea
- view see
Why this response received Band 7.0
The essay presents both perspectives in a balanced, coherent discussion and maintains a nuanced opinion that travellers should engage with local culture while hosts accommodate difference. Its main limitation is that some support relies on narrow or questionable examples, and several grammatical or collocational lapses reduce precision. The highest-priority improvement is to justify each side through broader principles such as respect, social harmony, personal belief, and mutual tolerance, supported by accurately expressed examples.
IELTS Writing Criteria Scores
Task Response
Both views are directly developed with relevant reasons and examples, and the balanced personal position is clear from the introduction through the conclusion.
Strengthen the reasoning with examples about behavioural norms and deeply held beliefs rather than relying mainly on food and tourism preferences.
Coherence and Cohesion
The response progresses smoothly through a clear four-paragraph structure, with effective contrast and well-focused body paragraphs.
Refine sentence-level linking so long examples do not depend on loose coordination or missing punctuation between clauses.
Lexical Resource
Vocabulary is sufficiently flexible and often precise, including natural expressions such as 'broadens people's horizons' and 'cultural diversity', despite occasional awkward choices.
Refine collocations such as 'be exposed to', 'be open to cultural diversity', and 'traditional clothing'.
Grammatical Range and Accuracy
A variety of complex structures is used and meaning remains clear, but errors in parallelism, missing verbs, countability, and agreement are noticeable.
Correct patterns such as 'not only as a way to relax but also as a chance', 'customs are different', and 'fewer spices'.
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IELTS Writing Task 2
Some people believe that visitors to other countries should follow local customs and behaviour. Others disagree and think that the host country should welcome cultural differences. Discuss both these views and give your own opinion.
Your response
Write the task yourself, then compare your choices with the annotated response.