Deck 6: Communicating Effectively Across Cultures

Question 1

How do cultural factors affect written communication? And attitudes toward different modes of written communication?

Answer 1

No Answer

Question 2

Which of the following is a characteristic of communication in a high-context culture?

A) high nonverbal dependence.
B) low value placed on intentions.
C) low attention to details.
D) low dependence on words.
E) indirect and complex degree of precision.

Answer 2

A

Question 3

Which of the following is not a characteristic of communication in a low-context culture?

A) direct and explicit.
B) high value placed on intentions.
C) high dependence on words.
D) negative view of silence.
E) high attention to detail.

Answer 3

B

Question 4

High-context cultures prefer verbal communicationbecause

A) it presents few problems.
B) it is easier and clearer.
C) it allows for a permanent and explicit record of a message.
D) it is more subtle than written communication.
E) it takes less time.

Question 5

People in ______________ cultures tend to positively perceive rapid and loud speech as conveying power and competence.

A) high-context.
B) collectivist.
C) individualistic.
D) high power distance.
E) high uncertainty avoidance.

Question 6

A major advantage to using written communication across cultures is

A) that it is quick and easy.
B) that is more effective than other forms of communication.
C) that ther are few opportunities of making a mistake.
D) all of these.
E) none of these.

Question 7

Bypassing occurs when

A) people define the same word differently.
B) people from two different cultures don't communicate.
C) one misunderstands the meaning of a foreign word.
D) someone advances in the understanding of a foreign language.
E) one misunderstands what someone said.

Question 8

Which of the following statements is not true about vocal qualities?

A) Koreans are more concerned with measuring their words carefully so as not to offend.
B) Egyptians use phrases that reflect a colorful and emotional stance toward others.
C) Muslim cultures often desire to create a sense of warm friendship and personal relations, and use the voice to convey this.
D) Koreans tend to think that a slow voice is more effective in increasing the credibility of the speaker.
E) Americans perceive that a relatively slow voice conveys power and competence.

Question 9

Vocal Qualities

A) are characteristics of the voice such as speed and loudness.
B) can project an image.
C) can add credibility to your explicit message.
D) involve all of these.
E) none of these.

Question 10

The use of touch to communicate is called

A) chromatics.
B) chronemics.
C) haptics.
D) physical space.
E) polychronic.

Question 11

Which group tends not to use touch during communication with people who are not known to them?

A) Latin Americans.
B) Americans.
C) Arabs.
D) Africans.
E) all of these.

Question 12

Which of the following is true about how a French manager would write a letter?

A) the openings and endings would be formal and polite.
B) it would be short and to the point.
C) it would be overly direct.
D) it would be in English.
E) it would not use flowery or exaggerated language.

Question 13

Which of the following is not a characteristic of communication in a high-context culture?

A) high nonverbal dependence.
B) low value placed on intentions.
C) low attention to details.
D) low dependence on words.
E) indirect and complex degree of precision.

Question 14

People from the US and Australia both speak English but could run into problems due to

A) communication style.
B) haptics.
C) guanxi.
D) self-monitoring.
E) context differences.

Question 15

________________ has one of the lowest levels of knowledge of foreign languages and cultures.

A) Brazil.
B) Belgium.
C) Japan.
D) the US.
E) Canada.

Question 16

For U.S. companies going abroad for the first time, which form of nonverbal communication is likely to have the greatest impact? Why? Defend your answer.

Question 17

How do Americans typically perceive embarrassment and apologize for mistakes? How does this compare with other countries?

Question 18

The dominant language in any one country or region has a great effect on and can even define a particular culture. Why would native speakers resent the intrusion of English phrases in their language?

Question 19

List several reasons why few Americans speak more than one language and the impact, positive and/or negative, that it has on international business.

Question 20

Describe the differences between the way Americans and Japanese perceive compliments. Describe each group's reaction to these situations.

Question 21

Name the two main types of language blunders one can make. Give an example of each.

Question 22

Describe three important aspects of nonverbal communication and discuss their impact on intercultural understanding.

Question 23

When criticizing, Americans are more likely to

A) use ambiguous comments
B) use passive forms.
C) do it directly.
D) use humor.
E) avoid placing blame.

Question 24

In Japan, the following statement, "I will consider it" most likely means

A) "It will be tricky."
B) "Some adjustments are needed."
C) ""Things are looking good."
D) The issue is under consideration."
E) "I'm sorry, but no."

Question 25

Which of the following would be more common in a foreign letter than a US letter?

A) use of personal tone.
B) informal language.
C) limited use of compliments.
D) plain and direct language.
E) exaggerated courtesy.

Question 26

When sending a written communication, an American would likely

A) use English.
B) keep the letter short and to the point.
C) stress the use of the personal tone.
D) avoid the use of flowery or exaggerated language.
E) do all of these.

Question 27

Nonverbal communication is

A) the use of touch to communicate.
B) characteristics of the voice such as speed and loudness.
C) the amount of physical space one has between others when interacting.
D) the conveying of messages without the use of words or writing.
E) all of these are true.

Question 28

A phenomenon in which people define and use the same word quite differently is called

A) haptics.
B) bypassing.
C) vocal qualities.
D) nonverbal communication.
E) sam ruam

Question 29

High-context cultures prefer written communication over face-to-face communication

Question 30

Egyptians firmly believe in the saying "sticks and stones may break my bones, but names will never hurt me."

Question 31

The Japanese are more likely to feel embarrassment than shame when a mistake has been made.

Question 32

Americans' relative lack of interest in other languages results is only because of their relative geographic isolation.

Question 33

The Thais learn early in their childhood to avoid demonstrating anger and offering opinions.

Question 34

Low-context cultures prefer to rely on written communication because it allows for a permanent and explicit record of a message.

Question 35

Americans tend to think that a relatively fast voice conveys power and competence.

Question 36

A manager wants to make sure that one of his employees at the company's subsidiary in China understands a policy on safety standards. Using written communication should eliminate all possible misunderstandings.

Question 37

People from group-oriented cultures tend to find it more difficult to admit mistakes than those from individual-oriented cultures.

Question 38

One study showed that Americans had the lowest level of understanding and knowledge of foreign languages and cultures.

Question 39

All of the people of China speak Mandarin Chinese, which is why it is the most widely used native language in the world.

Question 40

Chinese (Mandarin) is the most widely used native language in the world.

Question 41

In a high context culture, it's usually wise not to ""beat around the bush"".

Question 42

The British tend to use a lot of touching, eye contact, and other nonverbal behavior. Arabs, however, tend toward the opposite in their nonverbal style, generally avoiding touch and prolonged eye contact.

Question 43

Which of the following statements is true?

A) Japanese praise each other more frequently than Americans do.
B) Japanese are more likely to praise personal appearance than Americans.
C) Americans are more likely to accept mistakes than the Japanese.
D) Japanese and Americans use praise equally.
E) Americans praise each other more frequently than the Japanese do.

Question 44

Which of the following statements is not true when offense is given?

A) Americans were more likely to mention predicaments involving in-group relations.
B) Americans were more likely to mention relations with out-group members.
C) most Americans felt embarrassment.
D) most Japanese felt shame.
E) Japanese were more likely to mention predicaments involving in-group relations.

Question 45

An American is in negotiation with a Japanese partner. The American tells the Japanese partner that his idea will not work and that it will never be implemented. The American likely caused the partner to

A) be motivated to think of more ideas.
B) cry.
C) become impatient.
D) lose face.
E) get angry.

Question 46

________________ has one of the highest ratings of knowledge of foreign languages and cultures.

A) Brazil.
B) Belgium.
C) Japan.
D) the US.
E) Canada.

Question 47

The World Trade Organization

A) spends 22% of its budget on languages
B) uses English as its official language.
C) spends only a small amount each year on translations.
D) doesn't need to worry about language issues since all of its members are required to speak English.
E) costs with respect to translationshave decreased over the past five years.

Question 48

Americans might lack interest in other languages because

A) English is the most widely spoken in the world (including non-native speakers)
B) the rest of the wold increasingly uses English.
C) business on the Internet is dominated by American firms.
D) of the size and scope of the American economy and its global reach.
E) of all of these factors.

Question 49

Even when you speak a foreign language, problems can arise in verbal communication because

A) there can be many dialects within a particular language group.
B) distinct languages can be found within many countries.
C) there are accent and usage variances within a language.
D) all of these.
E) none of these.

Question 50

Which of the following statements is not true?

A) the average European knows only one language.
B) the percentage of British students studying foreign languages has decreased sharply since 2004.
C) foreign companies typically do not translate memos into English.
D) the US is an ethnically diverse nation and the languages accompanying immigrant populatins have spread widely.
E) Spanish is the most popular second language in Europe, the Middle East, Africa, Japan, and China.

Question 51

The most widely spoken native languate in the world is:

A) English.
B) Mandarin Chinese.
C) Spanish.
D) Arabic.
E) Hindustani.

Question 52

Which of the following statements is not true?

A) the Japanese interpret silence as dissatisfaction
B) in some cultures, responding too fast can be offensive.
C) in Finland and Japan, long periods of silence in conversations are normal.
D) many astute Japanese negotiators understand the Western discomfort with silence and use it to their advantage.
E) all of these are true.

Question 53

To an American, a gap in conversation usually is seen as an opportunity to respond. And long gaps tend to create discomfort and a desire to fill in the silence.

Question 54

The single most important way that we communicate is through nonverbal means.