WRITING TASK 2 You should spend about 40 minutes on this task. Write about the following topic: Some people think the increasing business and cultural contact between countries brings many positive effects. Others say it causes the loss of national identities. Discuss both sides and give your opinion. Give reasons for your answer and include any relevant examples from your own knowledge or experience. Write at least 250 words. .

The world today is characterized by the free flow of information and commodity. The frequent interaction and growing interdependence among countries have ended the days of regional isolation and absolute national sovereignty, but they have also sparked off heated controversies over the positive and negative impacts that a global culture can bring into our life. Some people say that the widening International exchanges, both in the field of business and culture, have exerted positive influences to a nation as well as its people. To begin with, they promote business co-operation among nations. For example, large multinational companies spread the latest technologies and experience around the world, and International trade has helped so many less developed economies grow. Also, they enrich people's lives because people of one nation are given opportunities through international tourism, exhibitions and fairs, TV programmers and films, etc. to enjoy the achievements of other cultures across the globe. However, other people argue that these conditions also create the possible danger of understanding a country's national identity. In the first place, traditional cultures might fall victim to a global media and entertainment force. This is most evident in some parts of the world where "Americanization" is threatening the preservation of thei indigenous culture. In Vietnam, for instance, few youngsters like or understand "Hu Court Music", the quintessence of Vietnamese culture, they go for Hollywood movie and rock music instead. Moreover, in the process of globalization, the world is gettin less linguistically diverse, as a growing number of people give up their native langua for the dominant language in the world - English. From my point of view, both arguments are the true reflection of the possi consequence of an increasing economic and cultural interaction among nations.