Ejemplo de Monologo Speaking EOI C1: Culture

WEBCI Online English material
2 days ago
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🎤 Speaking Task – Monologue on Culture
Instructions for the candidate:
You are going to talk on your own for about 3–4 minutes.Here are some pictures to help you. They show:
- A flamenco dancer.
- A classical music concert.
- A football match.
- The painting The Starry Night by Van Gogh.
Task: Compare and contrast the different ways in which culture is represented in these images. You should consider questions such as:
- What do these images tell us about cultural identity and traditions?
- To what extent are art, sport and music equally important in shaping culture?
- How might people from different countries perceive these cultural expressions?
Remember:
- You don’t need to describe the pictures in detail.
- Instead, focus on discussing ideas, giving opinions, and supporting them with examples.
- Use appropriate vocabulary (e.g. heritage, identity, tradition, integration), idioms (e.g. bridge the gap, worlds apart, when in Rome…) and connectors (on the one hand, in contrast, all in all).
- Speak for about 3–4 minutes.

🎤 Monologue – Culture in Its Many Forms (C1 level)

When we talk about culture, it is often difficult to define because it is such a multifaceted concept. It includes music, art, sport, language, traditions and much more. The four images — a flamenco dancer, a classical concert, a football match and Van Gogh’s The Starry Night — show just how varied cultural expression can be.

First of all, flamenco is a heritage-rich tradition. It has been passed down from generation to generation in Spain, and it reflects the customs, rituals and identity of a community. For many people, flamenco is not only art but also a way of life. In contrast, a classical concert represents a more conservative and traditional view of culture, one that is often linked with established norms and values. Nevertheless, both share the power to communicate emotions across time and place.

If we look at the football match, some may say it’s just sport. However, football often acts as a cultural symbol. It brings together majority groups and minority groups, creating a sense of integration. Sometimes, of course, it can also provoke a cultural clash, for instance when rival fans feel worlds apart. On the other hand, football has the capacity to bridge the gap between different communities, which is why it is often seen as part of a country’s identity.

The painting The Starry Night highlights the forward-looking and progressive side of culture. Unlike flamenco or football, which are strongly tied to one place, art of this kind becomes cosmopolitan and cross-cultural. It belongs to everyone, regardless of ethnicity or background. Still, sometimes the meaning of a painting can be lost in translation, depending on the viewer’s perspective.

It is worth mentioning that people react differently to cultural expressions. Some are open-minded and broad-minded, ready to open up to new ideas, while others are more narrow-minded or even xenophobic, and may look down on other cultures. That often leads to debates about assimilation, integration and acculturation. Should we completely adapt to the melting pot of a new society, or should we hold on to our roots? Personally, I think the healthiest option is to adapt without fully breaking away from tradition — a balance that allows people to blend in while keeping their heritage.

Of course, moving to a new place often causes culture shock. Everyday behaviour, norms and values may feel unfamiliar, and people might struggle to get across their ideas. That’s why it’s important to break the ice, to make communication easier and avoid misunderstandings. And as the saying goes, When in Rome, do as the Romans do — sometimes the best way to adapt is simply to follow local customs.

All in all, whether we talk about music, art, sport or traditions, culture is what defines us. It is not static but dynamic: it changes, it travels, and it connects people. It’s a small world, and culture helps us realise that despite our differences, we share more than we think. To sum up, culture is both local and global, individual and collective, traditional and modern — and that is exactly what makes it so fascinating.

🌍 C1 Vocabulary & Expressions: CULTURES (with meanings in English)

🔹 Adjectives

cosmopolitan → having people from many different countries and cultures.
culturally diverse → showing a wide variety of cultural backgrounds.
heritage-rich → full of cultural traditions and historical legacy.
open-minded / broad-minded → willing to consider new ideas and different cultures.
narrow-minded → unwilling to accept different ways of thinking or cultures.
xenophobic → having a fear or dislike of people from other countries.
traditional / conservative → following long-established customs; resistant to change.
forward-looking / progressive → modern in thinking; focused on future development.
multifaceted → having many aspects or features.
cross-cultural → involving two or more different cultures.

🔹 Nouns

heritage → the traditions, art, and history that are passed down from earlier generations.
custom / tradition / ritual → usual ways of behaving, beliefs, or ceremonies in a culture.
norms and values → the accepted standards and principles in a society.
identity → a person’s or group’s sense of who they are.
assimilation → the process of becoming part of another culture and losing one’s original identity.
integration → the process of becoming fully accepted within a different society or culture.
acculturation → adopting aspects of another culture while still keeping parts of your own.
melting pot → a society where different cultures blend together.
cultural clash → conflict between people of different cultural values.
ethnicity → belonging to a group that shares common culture, language, or history.
minority / majority group → smaller or larger cultural/ethnic groups within a society.

🔹 Phrasal Verbs

blend in (with) → to look or act like the people around you.
open up (to new ideas/people) → to become more receptive to different perspectives.
hold on to (traditions/roots) → to keep or preserve traditions.
pass down (from generation to generation) → to give traditions/knowledge to younger people.
break away (from tradition) → to stop following old customs.
look down on (other cultures) → to think you are better than another culture.
get across (ideas/values) → to successfully communicate ideas or values.

🔹 Idioms

When in Rome, do as the Romans do. → follow local customs when you are in a new place.
It’s a small world. → people are more connected than expected.
Culture shock → the confusion or discomfort of experiencing a new culture.
To be worlds apart. → to be completely different.
Bridge the gap (between cultures). → to reduce differences between cultures.
Lost in translation. → when meaning is changed or misunderstood in another language/culture.
Break the ice. → to make people feel more comfortable in a new or tense situation.