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IELTS Essay Topic: Nowadays, most countries can improve the standard of living through economic development, but some social values are lost as a result.

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IELTS Essay Topic: Nowadays, most countries can improve the standard of living through economic development, but some social values are lost as a result.
IELTS Essay Topic: Nowadays, most countries can improve the standard of living through economic development, but some social values are lost as a result.

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Q- Nowadays, most countries can improve the standard of living through economic development, but some social values are lost as a result. Do you think the advantages of this phenomenon outweigh the disadvantages?

Ans. Economic development has played an important role in improving the standard of living in most countries. However, this progress has come at the expense of certain social values. While economic development can help make a place more comfortable for the people already living there, it actively plays a major role in causing a loss in social values. Therefore, according to me, the disadvantages of this phenomenon outweigh the advantages.

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Economic development, that primarily happened through industrialisation and globalisation, has brought numerous benefits to people. It has created job opportunities, thereby reducing unemployment and poverty. For instance, because of rapid industrialisation in China, millions of people were lifted out of poverty. Furthermore, economic development also leads to advancements in infrastructure, healthcare, and education, thereby improving the quality of life for citizens. 

However, this economic progress also leads to the erosion of social values. Traditional customs and beliefs get abandoned in the pursuit of modernity. For example, in many developing countries indigenous languages and cultures are being replaced by Western languages and lifestyles for economic benefits. Moreover, economic development often increases in consumerism causing societal issues such as materialism and environmental degradation. It can also stifle individuality and creativity, preventing people from discovering their true selves and potential. In addition to this, there can be a loss of personal identity as people may feel compelled to adopt the attitudes, behaviours, and tastes of their peers, even if they conflict with their values and beliefs.

To conclude, while economic development undoubtedly plays a role in enhancing living standards, it also brings about the erosion of values. The drawbacks such as encouraging behaviours that contribute to health problems, suppressing individuality, and intensifying academic pressure outweigh its benefits. Therefore it becomes imperative for nations to find a balance between progress and the preservation of values to ensure sustainable and inclusive growth.

Analysis

Paraphrased Statement: Economic development has played an important role in improving the standard of living in most countries. However, this progress has come at the expense of certain social values.

Thesis Statement:  While economic development can help make a place more comfortable for the people already living there, it actively plays a major role in causing a loss in social values. Therefore, according to me, the disadvantages of this phenomenon outweigh the advantages.

Body Paragraph 1-Topic Sentences: Economic development, that primarily happened through industrialisation and globalisation, has brought numerous benefits to people. It has created job opportunities, thereby reducing unemployment and poverty.

Body Paragraph 1- Supporting Reasons and Explanations: For instance, because of rapid industrialisation in China, millions of people were lifted out of poverty. Furthermore, economic development also leads to advancements in infrastructure, healthcare, and education, thereby improving the quality of life for citizens. 

Body Paragraph 2- Topic sentences: However, this economic progress also leads to the erosion of social values. Traditional customs and beliefs get abandoned in the pursuit of modernity. For example, in many developing countries indigenous languages and cultures are being replaced by Western languages and lifestyles for economic benefits.

Body Paragraph 2- Supporting Reasons and Explanations:  Moreover, economic development often increases in consumerism causing societal issues such as materialism and environmental degradation. It can also stifle individuality and creativity, preventing people from discovering their true selves and potential. In addition to this, there can be a loss of personal identity as people may feel compelled to adopt the attitudes, behaviours, and tastes of their peers, even if they conflict with their values and beliefs.
Conclusion: To conclude, while economic development undoubtedly plays a role in enhancing living standards, it also brings about the erosion of values. The drawbacks such as encouraging behaviours that contribute to health problems, suppressing individuality, and intensifying academic pressure outweigh its benefits. Therefore it becomes imperative for nations to find a balance between progress and the preservation of values to ensure sustainable and inclusive growth.

Vocabulary in Use

Economic development has played an important role in improving the standard of living in most countries. However, this progress has come at the expense of certain social values. While economic development can help make a place more comfortable for the people already living there, it actively plays a major role in causing a loss in social values. Therefore, according to me, the disadvantages of this phenomenon outweigh the advantages.

Economic development, that primarily happened through industrialisation and globalisation, has brought numerous benefits to people. It has created job opportunities, thereby reducing unemployment and poverty. For instance, because of rapid industrialisation in China, millions of people were lifted out of poverty. Furthermore, economic development also leads to advancements in infrastructure, healthcare, and education, thereby improving the quality of life for citizens. 

However, this economic progress also leads to the erosion of social values. Traditional customs and beliefs get abandoned in the pursuit of modernity. For example, in many developing countries indigenous languages and cultures are being replaced by Western languages and lifestyles for economic benefits. Moreover, economic development often increases in consumerism causing societal issues such as materialism and environmental degradation. It can also stifle individuality and creativity, preventing people from discovering their true selves and potential. In addition to this, there can be a loss of personal identity as people may feel compelled to adopt the attitudes, behaviours, and tastes of their peers, even if they conflict with their values and beliefs.

To conclude, while economic development undoubtedly plays a role in enhancing living standards, it also brings about the erosion of values. The drawbacks such as encouraging behaviours that contribute to health problems, suppressing individuality, and intensifying academic pressure outweigh its benefits. Therefore it becomes imperative for nations to find a balance between progress and the preservation of values to ensure sustainable and inclusive growth.

Linkers and Connectors Used

Following are the Linkers and Connectors used in the essay:

  1. However
  2. Therefore
  3. For instance
  4. Furthermore
  5. Moreover
  6. In addition to this
  7. To conclude

Are you preparing for IELTS? Check out this video to improve your writing skills for the IELTS exam given below👇.

What are the Key Social Values at Risk Due to Development?

Several key values are considered to be at risk due to development. Some of these values are provided below:

  • Community bonding can be disrupted due to urbanisation, and economic activities 
  • The family structure can become more nuclear or fragmented due to migration 
  • Industrialisations can also replace the traditional culture with a modern one
  • Rapid technological development can make companies focus more on profits and less on the environmental impact 
  • The shift to individualism can result in a lack of respect for elders. Respect for elders was a key factor in traditional setup.
  • There is a risk that local languages can extinct due to the dominance of other languages like English
  • Excessive focus on work, and long working hours can result in loss of work-life balance.

Steps to Achieve Sustainable Development Without Losing Values

Some steps that can be taken to prevent the loss of values due to development are provided below:

  • Promote cultural education in schools, and support policies that support local artisans and small-scale industries.
  • Focus on implementing green policies. That is sustainable economic models that can focus on environmental preservation along with development 
  • Community engagement can be encouraged by investing in programs that promote community activities.
  • Moreover, legislation can be introduced to preserve cultural heritage and practices.
  • Public and private organizations can collaborate to develop sustainable and ethical growth practices 
  • The promotion of flexible work policies and multilingualism can be beneficial 
  • Influential leaders can also promote the importance of values of development.

Positive Impacts of Economic Development on Society

These are some of the positive impacts of economic development.

  • It can improve the living standards of the people. For example, better healthcare facilities
  • It can provide better employment opportunities to people
  • Increasing development of technology can make daily life easier.
  • Moreover, infrastructural development can result in better transportation, communication, and road facilities
  • The accessibility of education would increase and more people would be educated.
  • Cultural exchange and trade can take place globally. Lastly, marginalized people can also be empowered due to economic development

FAQs

Can a country grow economically without losing its traditions?

Yes. A country can preserve its economic traditions and cultural growth along with development. For example, the government can promote traditional industries, cultural education, and even work on safeguarding cultural heritage.

How should one structure an essay on this topic for IELTS Writing Task 2?

Present your stance in the introduction of the topic. Thereafter, use the body of the essay to present balanced arguments on economic growth and its effect on cultural traditions. You can use examples to support your arguments and add a paragraph to present solutions. Lastly, you can conclude your answer by summarising the key ideas and points.

Which countries are known for preserving social values despite rapid growth?

Japan, South Korea, and Bhutan are excellent examples of countries that have developed and preserved their cultural traditions. For example, Bhutan focuses on developing Gross National Happiness over Gross Domestic Product, South Korea promotes its culture through the Korean wave or Hallyu. Japan include technological advancements along with traditional rituals and arts.

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