GT Writing Task 2 / Essay Sample # 55
You should spend about 40 minutes on this task.
Write about the following topic:
Some people say that music is a good way of bringing people of different cultures and ages together.
To what extent do you agree or disagree with this opinion?
Give reasons for your answer and include any relevant examples from your own knowledge or experience.
Write at least 250 words.
Model Answer: [Agreement]
Some believe that music transcends cultural boundaries and blurs the disparity in generations. Although I believe that they exaggerate the impact of music patching up the differences in ages, I steadfastly agree with the notion that music is a handy tool for bringing people of different cultures together.
To begin with, music is not good at reconciling the generation gaps. In fact, from empirical evidence, it seems that most people incline to enjoy the songs from their formative stages and they very often look upon the current vogue of music with disdain. This happens because every epoch has its trend of music that profoundly shapes a particular paradigm of thought and people tend to pick specific songs and singers that they relate to a certain period of their lives. To justify the same, there is an epitome of our family. I love to enjoy the songs of Justin Bieber and Taylor Swift, whereas my father prefers the insightful lyrics of The Beatles and Scorpions. Thus, music keeps the differences between generations in a salient way rather than bridging the gaps due to the different trends and characteristics of different eras.
However, music has become the universal language that unites people around the world, regardless of nationality, race, religion, or creed. This is because the underlying structures and melodic elements of music are similar across the world. Some recent research reveals that humans worldwide share the same universal musical grammar. So, people all over the world can comprehend the messages of music regardless of its origin. That is to say that music can serve as an emotional hub of cultures, expressing feelings that are common to all. A good example here is Wind of Change by Scorpions. The song has become an international sensation due to its rallying cry for unification, liberty, and a message of hope. The song brings nations of disparate cultures together through an overwhelming urge for solidarity, freedom and a sense of optimism.
To reiterate, music contributes to generational disparity for its intrinsic fashions of a particular period. However, there is compelling evidence that it is a magical instrument that forges the bonds between the disparate cultural groups.
Model Answer: [Disgreement]
Music is claimed to be a good instrument for narrowing cultural differences and generation gaps. This essay completely disagrees with this notion and believes that music cannot bring people of different cultural backgrounds together due to nationalism and also cannot alleviate generation barriers simply because it conveys different meanings to different generations.
Music is not a particularly good connector in terms of cultural differences by reason of nationalism. This is because nationalism offers fellow countrymen the consciousness of the distinctive characteristics of a nation and the intent to emphasize and glorify those characteristics that play a significant role in music. Music, therefore, creates a strong identification with a particular political group. For example, people are likely to enjoy music that evokes a sense of shared collective heritage as well as a common cultural past. Thus, the music fails to bridge the cultural gaps.
Likewise, music means different things to different age groups. Each generation’s music embodies the aspirations, emotions, and struggles of people living in that specific era. And as individuals carry different views on many political and social issues they get further divided by the distinctive tastes of music. That is why a father is rarely found enjoying the same music as his son. It is quite common for people to complain about others’ music choices are too slow, too shallow, too fast, too soft, or too loud. Even singers with a wide range of appeal, like John Lenon, are not always favourite by both extremes of the generation disparity.
To conclude, music is not a good bone of connection among different cultures because nationalism has a profound influence on music that develops a sense of shared collective heritages. Similarly, it also cannot reduce the generational differences because music signifies different meanings to different generations.