TOEFL® Writing Practice 14

Sample Essay

It is an undeniable fact that dances play an important role in every culture. Across the planet every large civilization or small group of people has come up with dances. These dances have been important because they help to mark important occasions. Additionally, many cultural activities involve going to see dances or see something that incorporates dance. Therefore, dancing has been and still is a very important part of human experience across all cultures.

    To begin with, everyone from the earliest tribes, to ancient civilizations, to modern countries create dances. Some dances are folk or tribal dances for weddings or religious ceremonies. Some dances have been group dances in which all people learn the same moves. While established countries have modern dance clubs, tribes of African also have dances, and Indian cultures use dances to mark important occasions. All across the globe and all through time people have gained great joy from dance and used it as a marker of cultural occasions.

    Another indicator of dance as important to culture is the very fact that these dances are often used for special ceremonies. It is an integral part of western weddings to have a first dance between couples, followed by ceremonial dancing between father and daughter, and son and mother. Similarly, many cultures have coming of age dances. In Hispanic culture, a girls fifteenth birthday is marked with a large dance. Also, countries from American to Thailand have high school proms in which students host a dance to celebrate. Dance events are a crucial part of each culture’s festive holidays both secular and religious.

    Alongside these festivities that incorporate dancing, people also attend cultural events in which they simply watch others dance. In European culture ballet used to play an important role in society for showcasing music, acting, and costumes. In many countries, plays and musical shows are accompanied by dancing. People are constantly attending events that include dancing, including the Olympic Ceremonies or the Super Bowl Halftime Show. Dance plays an important role, even in a secondary capacity, at most social gatherings through every culture.

    All in all, dances are an obviously important part of cultural experience. Given that each culture through all of time has invented dances, signifies the utter importance it plays. Also, dancing has been incorporated in important ceremonies and events both personal and religious. Alongside actually dancing, viewing dancing has been important at all social events. Dances help to reflect the various cultural intricacies that distinguish each people of the world as a unique culture.