The final written English exam

The second part of the written English exam is centered on a 300 word essay. Since there’s another part devoted to another language I think there’s not enough time for a rough copy, but I strongly recommend a mind map after splitting up the essay title as I've shown in other posts.

PART 2 – WRITTEN PRODUCTION 

“Most of us have overlapping identities which unite us with very different groups. We can love what we are, without hating what – and who – we are not. We can thrive in our own tradition, even as we learn from others, and come to respect their teachings." —Kofi Annan, Former Secretary-General of the United Nations 

Discuss the quotation in a 300-word essay considering the positive aspects and the complexities that cultural diversity may introduce into modern society. Support your ideas by referring to your readings and/or to your personal experience. 

1. Overlapping identities: roots in common within diversity.
2. Our values build up our identities, our attitudes towards ourselves and our surroundings but we grow up and get mature by learning from others and following them.
3. Cultural diversity might be a challenge into modern society since it’s uneasy to face what is different from us but it might be an amazing discovery as Martin Luther King’s dream has taught us.
4. An economic collapse might not help a real integration of different races as well as inadequate laws and short-sighted foreign and national policies.
5. Respect is the answer since peoples should build up bridges instead of walls.

As the quotation shows, all individuals across the world have overlapping identities originated by various ancestors and influences deriving from a certain adaptation to environment  which has shaped our physical aspect and our mood. Despite this, there is not a genetic or biological evidence explaining our diversity as individuals or groups.

Nevertheless all groups have their own values which build up their own identities, their attitudes towards themselves and their own surroundings. Anyway this form of ‘scaffolding’ takes place thanks to others who help us grow up and get mature. Men and women are social beings and they can’t evolve in isolation or captivity: relationships are essential, they create struggles, disorientation, conflicts but they help us overcome our limits and open our minds.

In this respect cultural diversity might be a challenge since it’s uneasy to face what is different from us but it might be an amazing discovery as Martin Luther King’s dream has taught us. Going beyond what is unexplored discloses new paths, fosters progress, gives rise to self-awareness and growth. New customs, new attitudes, new traditions might become a source of inspiration, might give a new perspective of the way we see the world and the others, they might help us live an extraordinary rewarding experience.

On the other hand we might have to consider that an economic collapse might not foster a real integration of different races together with inadequate laws and short-sighted foreign and national policies. That's why education might play a strategic role and make a difference by supporting an effective integration, by condemning any form of prejudice and exclusion and promoting a real sense of civic responsibility.

As the essay has shown the key answer for an effective integration is ‘love and respect’ as John Lennon seemed to imply in his song‘Imagine’ living life in peace.