Discuss cultural identity, traditions, customs, celebrations, values and social norms with greater precision.
Topic level: B1 – C1 · Category: People & Lifestyle
Culture is a frequent topic in speaking exams and real conversation. These expressions help you compare traditions respectfully and explain how customs change over time.
| Word / Phrase | Meaning |
|---|---|
| culture | the ideas, customs, arts and social behaviour of a group |
| tradition | a belief or practice passed from one generation to another |
| custom | a usual way of behaving in a particular society or situation |
| heritage | traditions, history and cultural features inherited from the past |
| cultural identity | a person's sense of belonging to a cultural group |
| social norm | an expected pattern of behaviour in a society |
| celebration | an event marking a special occasion |
| ritual | a set sequence of actions with social or religious significance |
| to preserve | to protect something so it continues to exist |
| to adapt | to change to suit new conditions |
| generation | people born and living at roughly the same time |
| diversity | the presence of different people, ideas or cultural backgrounds |
| Phrase | Example |
|---|---|
| preserve cultural heritage | Museums can help preserve cultural heritage. |
| follow a tradition | Many families still follow the tradition. |
| challenge social norms | Younger generations sometimes challenge social norms. |
| celebrate diversity | The festival celebrates the city's cultural diversity. |
| ❌ Incorrect | ✅ Correct | Why |
|---|---|---|
| It's a typical tradition in my country. | It's a common tradition in my country. | 'Common tradition' is usually the more natural collocation. |
Without looking back, define three words from this topic and use two collocations in your own sentences. Then explain the topic for 60 seconds using at least five target expressions.
For Cambridge, IELTS and general speaking practice, avoid memorising isolated words. Use the vocabulary to develop an opinion, give an example, compare situations and explain a consequence. Aim to use two or three strong collocations naturally rather than forcing every new word into one answer.
A custom is a usual social practice; a tradition is typically passed down over time and often has stronger historical significance.
Avoid absolute statements. Use language such as 'tends to', 'in many families', 'in my experience' and 'it is common to'.
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