Chapitre 6 · Semestre 2 · Unité 2
Cultural values
Units 6 – 10
Theme: Cultural values
Culture is the set of values, beliefs, customs, traditions, language, food, music and art shared by a group of people. Moroccan culture is rich and diverse (Arab, Amazigh, Hassani, African, Andalusian and Mediterranean influences), and is known for values such as hospitality, generosity, solidarity and respect for elders.
Vocabulary
| Word | Meaning |
|---|---|
| customs / traditions | practices passed from generation to generation |
| values | principles considered important |
| hospitality | being friendly and generous to guests |
| heritage | traditions and monuments inherited from the past |
| culture shock | confusion when living in a new culture |
| stereotype / prejudice | fixed idea / unfair opinion |
| tolerance | accepting differences |
| to get used to | to become familiar with |
| multicultural | including several cultures |
Grammar: expressing contrast and concession
| Linking word | Structure | Example |
|---|---|---|
| although / even though / though | + clause | Although they are different, they respect each other. |
| despite / in spite of | + noun or gerund | Despite the cold, they went out. In spite of being tired, she helped her mother. |
| however / nevertheless | new sentence, followed by a comma | Life abroad is exciting. However, it can be lonely. |
| but / yet | join two clauses | He is rich, but he is not happy. |
| whereas / while | contrast between two facts | Some people eat with their hands, whereas others use a fork. |
Function: comparing and contrasting cultures
Both… and… / Similarly, / Likewise, / Unlike… / On the other hand, / In contrast,
Writing: a compare-and-contrast paragraph
- Introduce the two cultures (or two customs);
- Present similarities (both, similarly, like);
- Present differences (whereas, unlike, however);
- Conclude (respect for differences, tolerance).
Exercise 1 — Contrast
Join the sentences using the word in brackets.
- It was raining. They went to the wedding. (although)
- The food was spicy. He enjoyed it. (despite)
- Moroccans drink mint tea. The English prefer black tea with milk. (whereas)
Voir le corrigé
- Although it was raining, they went to the wedding.
- Despite the spicy food, he enjoyed it. / Despite the food being spicy, he enjoyed it.
- Moroccans drink mint tea, whereas the English prefer black tea with milk.
Exercise 2 — Vocabulary
Complete with: hospitality, culture shock, heritage, tolerance.
- When she moved to Japan, she experienced a ________.
- Moroccan ________ is famous: guests are always welcome.
- The medina of Fez is part of the world ________.
- ________ means accepting people who are different from us.
Voir le corrigé
- culture shock 2. hospitality 3. heritage 4. Tolerance
Summary — Cultural values
- Vocabulary: customs, traditions, values, hospitality, heritage, culture shock, stereotype, tolerance, multicultural.
- although / even though + clause ; despite / in spite of + noun or gerund ; however / nevertheless + comma ; whereas / while for contrast.
- Comparing: both, similarly, likewise ; contrasting: unlike, in contrast, on the other hand.
- Writing: similarities → differences → conclusion.