Topic 1: Does increasing travels between countries enable people to learn different cultures or to

Topic 3: There is a disagreement on the impact of increased business and culture 
contact between countries on a country's identity. What is your opinion? 
(not static, but dynamic); (social environment), (People's eating habits have been changed as the 
result of learned behaviour. ); (symbols of wealth) , (suit the tastes of visitors) j
(preference for imports); (sense of identity), (an erosion of social solidarity) (westernized), ( the 
suit is the most popular outfit for men)
(play a small role in the technological revolution), (concede sovereignty and interests to other 
countries for aid) j (widening gap between the richest and poorest parts of the world);
(new ruling class); (renounce traditionally-held beliefs), (outdated and inferior); (A dominant 
culture takes over diverse cultures. ), (lose respect to older cultures), ( consigned to history) 
 
 
One of the most conspicuous trends in the 21st century is a closer connection between 
countries, in both economic and cultural aspects. There is a widespread worry that this will 
lead to the gradual demise of countries' identities. This issue should be viewed and analyzed 
from multiple perspectives.
When a country tends to develop a closer relationship with the rest of the world, it does 
not necessarily give up its culture. Culture is not a disgrace to but an asset of a country. An 
indigenous culture can distinguish one country from others, attracting foreign visitors and 
yielding high income. As most tourists travel abroad for learning different cultures and 
sampling different ways of life, such as Beijing opera in China, Japanese tea culture and 
Thai temples, many countries have responded with protecting and preserving their cultural 
identities, in an effort to keep themselves in the list of the most popular destinations. 
Increased tourism instills fresh life force into these countries, aiding the conservation of 
their features.
While tourism provides a driving force for cultural conversation, some components of a 
culture such as traditions, customs or taboos might die out over time. It seems that in some 
countries, the locals have become more accustomed to exotic cultures. It reflects the 
combined effects of the invasion of foreign cultures, either through media or through direct 
business interaction. For example, two decades ago, sex was a taboo subject in China and 
most Chinese people felt embarrassed to talk openly about it. Over time the Western culture 
has permeated into the Chinese lifestyle, and the Chinese people have broken many of their 
time-honored traditions. It occurs in the rest of the world as well.
As outlined above, increased interaction between countries in the domains of business 
and culture can either strengthen or undermine the identities of countries involved. To date 
there is no definite answer to this question.
1. Conspicuous=noticeable=prominent=striking
2. Connection=linkage= relation=relationship
3. Demise=disappearance=vanishing=fading
4. Multiple=manifold=numerous=various=many
5. Disgrace=dishonor=shame=humiliation
6. Life force=soul=essence
7. Conservation=protection=preservation
8. Exotic=bizarre=outlandish=from afar=mysteriously unusual:
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9. Taboo=offensive=embarrassing=unacceptable=disgraceful=dishonourable=humiliating
10. Permeate=seep into=pervade=leak into 
11. Time-honored=age-old=long-established
12. Interaction=interplay=communication=relationship
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