Living Culture Today: How Traditions and Modern Life Shape Society

Living Culture Today: How Traditions and Modern Life Shape Society

Living Culture Today: How Traditions and Modern Life Shape Society

Vocabulary
Instruction: Repeat after your teacher.

Culture (KUL-cher) /ˈkʌltʃər/
Type: noun
Meaning: the way people live, think, and celebrate
Synonyms: traditions, lifestyle
Example: Food is an important part of culture.

Tradition (truh-DI-shun) /trəˈdɪʃən/
Type: noun
Meaning: customs passed from one generation to another
Synonyms: custom, practice
Example: Family dinners are a tradition.

Daily (DAY-lee lyf) /ˈdeɪli laɪf/
Type: noun
Meaning: things people do every day
Synonyms: everyday routine
Example: Culture affects daily life.

Article Reading
Instruction: Read aloud the article.

Culture is part of our daily life. It includes the food we eat, the language we speak, and the traditions we follow. In many societies, culture helps people feel connected to their families and communities. Traditions are often taught at home and in school. Children learn how to respect others, celebrate holidays, and understand their history. These traditions help keep culture alive, even as society changes. Today, modern life is changing how people live. Technology, travel, and social media influence daily life and culture. Even so, many people still value traditions and try to keep them while adapting to modern society. Culture helps people understand who they are and how they belong in society.

Comprehension Questions
Instruction: Read the sentence. Answer true or false. If false, give the correct information

TRUE OR FALSE
1. Culture is part of daily life.
2. Traditions are only about food.
3. Schools help teach culture.
4. Modern life changes culture.
5. Traditions are no longer important.

FILL IN THE BLANKS
Choices: culture tradition daily life

1. Food is part of __________.
2. Family celebrations are a __________.
3. Culture affects our __________.
4. Schools teach __________ to children.
5. __________ helps people feel connected.
Speak Up
Instruction: Answer in one short sentence.

1. What is one tradition in your family?
2. How does culture affect your daily life?
3. Do you celebrate cultural holidays?
4. Is tradition important to you? Why?
5. How has modern life changed culture?
Vocabulary
Instruction: Repeat after your teacher.

Identity (eye-DEN-ti-tee) /aɪˈdɛntɪti/
Type: noun
Meaning: who a person or group is
Synonyms: character, background
Example: Culture shapes personal identity.
Task: Explain identity in your own words.

Generation (jen-uh-RAY-shun) /ˌdʒɛnəˈreɪʃən/
Type: noun
Meaning: people born around the same time
Synonyms: age group
Example: Traditions are passed from generation to generation.
Task: Use generation in a sentence.

Influence (IN-floo-ens) /ˈɪnflʊəns/
Type: noun
Meaning: the power to affect something
Synonyms: effect, impact
Example: Social media has a strong influence on culture.
Task: Name one influence on culture today.

Article Reading
Instruction: Read aloud the article.

Culture plays a major role in shaping identity and social behavior. From a young age, people learn cultural values through family, education, and community traditions. These values influence how individuals think, communicate, and interact with others. Traditions are passed down from generation to generation, helping societies preserve their history. However, modern influences such as technology, media, and global travel are changing how traditions are practiced. Younger generations may celebrate culture differently from older ones. Social media has also increased cultural exchange. People are exposed to new ideas, lifestyles, and beliefs every day. While this influence can strengthen understanding between cultures, it can also create challenges in preserving traditional values. Balancing tradition and modern life has become an important social issue in many societies.

Comprehension
Instruction: Answer the questions based on the article.

1. How does culture shape identity?
2. How are traditions passed on?
3. What influences modern culture today?
4. How do generations differ in culture?
5. Why is balance important?
Speak Up
Instruction: Share your opinion and explain your answer.

1. How does culture affect identity?
2. Do younger generations value traditions less? Why or why not?
3. How does social media influence culture?
4. Is cultural change always positive?
5. How do families teach traditions?
6. Should schools teach cultural values?
7. What cultural traditions are changing today?
8. How does global travel affect culture?
9. Can cultures blend without losing identity?
10. What traditions should be preserved?
Vocabulary
Instruction: Repeat after your teacher.

Preservation (prez-er-VAY-shun) /ˌprɛzərˈveɪʃən/
Type: noun
Meaning: the act of keeping something alive or unchanged
Synonyms: protection, conservation
Example: Cultural preservation is a social responsibility.
Task: Explain cultural preservation.

Globalization (gloh-buh-luh-ZAY-shun) /ˌɡloʊbələˈzeɪʃən/
Type: noun
Meaning: the process of countries becoming more connected
Synonyms: global integration
Example: Globalization affects local cultures.
Task: Use globalization in a social context.

Adaptation (ad-ap-TAY-shun) /ˌædəpˈteɪʃən/
Type: noun
Meaning: change to fit new conditions
Synonyms: adjustment, change
Example: Cultural adaptation helps societies survive.
Task: Give an example of adaptation.

Idioms / Phrasal Verbs
Instruction: Read and understand the expressions.

Pass down – transfer to younger generations
Example: Traditions are passed down

Blend in – combine or fit together
Example: Global cultures blend in modern cities.

Hold on to – keep or preserve
Example: Communities try to hold on to traditions.
Article Reading
Instruction: Read aloud the article.

Modern societies face growing challenges in cultural preservation as globalization accelerates social change. Increased migration, digital communication, and global media exposure reshape cultural practices, sometimes weakening traditional norms and values. Globalization encourages cultural exchange but also pressures local cultures to adapt. While adaptation allows societies to remain relevant, it can also lead to cultural loss if traditions are not actively preserved. This tension is especially visible in education, language use, and everyday social behavior. Experts argue that sustainable cultural adaptation requires conscious effort. Governments, schools, and communities play key roles in protecting cultural identity while embracing diversity. Education systems that include cultural history and local traditions help younger generations understand their heritage. Culture is not static; it evolves. However, meaningful preservation ensures that social identity and cultural values continue to guide society in a globalized world.

Comprehension
Instruction: Answer the questions based on the article.

1. What challenges does globalization create for culture?
2. Why is cultural preservation important?
3. How does adaptation help societies?
4. What role does education play in culture?
5. Why must culture evolve carefully?
Speak Up
Instruction: Respond thoughtfully using advanced vocabulary.

1. Should globalization be limited to protect culture? Why?
2. How can schools support cultural preservation?
3. Is adaptation more important than tradition?
4. How does globalization affect language use?
5. Can cultural identity survive global media?
6. What traditions are at risk today?
7. How should governments protect culture?
8. Is cultural blending positive or negative?
9. How can young people preserve traditions?
10. What does culture mean in a global society?
Source: BBC Culture and Society articles on traditions, identity, and social change