Cultural Iceberg
A traditional dress is something we can easily see. Is it visible or invisible culture?
Visible culture
Language, food, clothing and religion are examples of what?
Elements of culture
A family prepares a special meal every year during a festival. Which element of culture is represented?
Food
You interview your grandmother about a tradition she followed when she was young. Is this a primary or secondary source?
Answer: Primary source
A practice that is passed from one generation to another is called what?
Answer: Tradition
A community believes that elders should always be respected. Visible or invisible?
Invisible culture
A wedding includes special clothing, food, music and rituals. Name any two elements of culture shown here.
Any two: clothing, food, music, rituals
A traditional dance is taught by grandparents to their grandchildren. What does this show about culture?
Culture can be passed from one generation to another.
A historian writes a textbook about a festival using information from several old records. Is the textbook a primary or secondary source?
Answer: Secondary source
A person believes that a particular action brings good luck. Is this a belief or a tradition?
Answer: Belief
A family cooks a special meal every year during a festival. What cultural element is this?
Visible: decorations/clothing/food; Invisible: beliefs/meaning/values
Which element of culture includes the way people celebrate important events and ceremonies?
Traditions, customs and rituals
ou see people wearing traditional clothes, eating particular food and performing a dance at a celebration. Name three elements of culture.
Answer: Clothing, food and dance/music
A photograph taken during a cultural festival 50 years ago is what type of source?
Answer: Primary source
How can a belief influence a person's actions?
Answer: Beliefs can influence people's choices, behaviour, customs and traditions.
Why might two people follow the same tradition but have different beliefs about what it means?
People can follow the same tradition but give it different personal, family or religious meanings.
A community speaks Tamil, prepares traditional food and follows a particular belief about respecting guests. Identify the three cultural elements.
Language, food and beliefs/values
People remove their shoes before entering a place of worship. Is this visible or invisible culture? What might be invisible?
Answer: The act of removing shoes is visible; the belief or value behind the practice is invisible.
You have an interview with a person who experienced a cultural tradition and a textbook written about that tradition. Which is the primary source?
Answer: The interview
A family moves to another country but continues celebrating festivals from their homeland. Give one reason why they might continue the tradition.
Answer: To maintain their cultural identity, connect with their heritage or pass the tradition to the next generation.
A student says, “If we cannot see it, it is not part of culture.” Give two examples that prove the student wrong.
Beliefs, values, attitudes, ideas about right and wrong, and expectations are invisible parts of culture.
A traditional practice becomes less common among young people. Give two reasons why this cultural element might change.
Globalisation, migration, technology, changing lifestyles or influence from other cultures.
You are shown an unfamiliar cultural celebration. Name three clues you could use to learn about the culture without making assumptions.
Answer: Clothing, food, language, symbols, music, rituals, objects or celebrations.
You want to find out how a family tradition has changed over three generations. Give one primary and one secondary source you could use.
Answer: Primary – interview with a family member or old photograph. Secondary – textbook, article or documentary.
Two families celebrate the same festival but follow different customs. Does this mean they have different cultures? Explain.
Answer: Not necessarily. People from the same culture can have different family customs, beliefs and practices while sharing many aspects of the same culture.