Page 143 - READING COMPANION TO ENGLISH EXAMS

8.3 CUSTOMS AND TRADITIONS

The Interplay between Culture and Society

Customs and traditions are integral parts of culture and society, satisfactorily providing individuals with a sense
of identity and belonging as well as guiding their behaviour and decision-making processes. These cultural
aspects, however, are not stagnant and evolve over time. People actively contribute to the formation and
modification of social norms and values, which respectively influence individuals. In this context, deviating from
established norms can result in social disapproval, but it can also serve as a catalyst for progress and growth,
allowing cultures to adapt and thrive. To foster cultural understanding and constructive dialogue, individuals
should remain open-minded and willing to put aside personal preferences. The interaction between people
and established ways of life should be an ongoing process of adaptation and negotiation. Globalisation, for
example, has facilitated the exchange of ideas and practices across cultures, leading to the spread of certain
local customs and practices. Particularly, interactive technologies like social media make it possible for people
to connect with individuals from different cultures, which in turn allows them to learn about their folkways and
mores. This exchange creates new social conventions that reflect the changing dynamics of culture and society.
Customs and traditions, therefore, have a reciprocal relationship with people, shaping and modifying each other.
The dynamic nature of cultural practices ensures they incessantly evolve and adapt to changing circumstances.
While some traditions may fade away, new customs and norms emerge, which enables continued growth and
development.

a Match the highlighted words and phrases in the passage to the definitions below.
1. : involving two people or groups who behave in the same way to each other
2. : in a way that is good or good enough for a particular need or purpose
3. : to make an action or a process possible or easier
4. : to ignore or forget something, usually a feeling or difference of opinion
5. : the act or process of dealing with another to reach an agreement
6. : to slowly disappear, lose importance, or become weaker
7. : not developing, growing, or moving; dull and inactive
8. : in a way that never stops; without interruption
9. : to do something that is different from the common way of behaving
10. : the customs and behaviour that are typically found in a particular social group or
community

b Complete the following table with the correct forms of the words.

verb noun adjective adverb

stagnant
deviate X

negotiation X

facilitate X

mores
reciprocal

X incessantly

satisfactorily

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