Question 1

International English was designed to reduce communication errors between native speakers of English and people who speak English as a second language.

Accepted Answer

International English, also known as Simplified English, was created to make English more accessible and easier to understand for non-native speakers, with the goal of reducing communication errors.

Question 2

The Voice of America broadcasts can be heard in the United States on AM and FM stations.

Accepted Answer

The Voice of America is prohibited by law from broadcasting directly to American audiences on AM and FM stations. It is intended for international audiences.

Question 3

When interacting with a foreign business person,it is generally best to adopt a formal form of address first,then to relax that position when it becomes clear that the foreigner is more comfortable with a less formal approach.

Accepted Answer

It is important to show respect and professionalism by using a formal form of address at first, but as the relationship develops and familiarity increases, a less formal approach can be taken if both parties are comfortable with it.

Question 4

In a communication between a British company and a Thai customer,the British manager used the term "juxtaposition" in referring to a diagram of a quality control process.This very difficult word is likely to be misunderstood by the Thai customer.

Accepted Answer

The answer of In a communication between a British company...

Question 5

"Open-account" is the term of sale that is most likely to be acceptable to an importer.

Accepted Answer

An "open-account" term of sale means that the importer is given a credit period to pay for the goods after they have been received. This is likely to be acceptable to an importer as it allows for greater flexibility in managing their cash flow. However, it may also pose a risk to the exporter if the importer fails to pay on time.

Question 6

Special English is used for written communications,just as International English is.

Accepted Answer

Special English is specifically designed for broadcasting, particularly by the Voice of America, to make English-language news and information more accessible to people with varying levels of English comprehension, not primarily for written communications. International English, on the other hand, refers to a simplified version of English used globally in various contexts, including written communications, to facilitate international communication.

Question 7

Arabic is among the easiest languages to learn,because it has a relatively simple grammar.

Accepted Answer

Arabic has a complex grammar system with various rules for verb conjugation, noun declension, and sentence structure. Additionally, Arabic uses a different writing system with a unique set of characters and a right-to-left direction.

Question 8

A writer intent on following the rules of International English should always assume that the reader will use a cheap dictionary that only has a limited number of words,one in which only the most common use of a word is likely to be listed.

Accepted Answer

International English aims to be clear and understandable to a wide audience, but it doesn't assume the use of a cheap dictionary with limited words. Instead, it encourages simplicity and clarity without underestimating the reader's ability to understand or look up words.

Question 9

One of the reasons English is "everybody's second language" is that it is the easiest language to learn.

Accepted Answer

The answer of One of the reasons English is "everybody's...

Question 10

For an American exporter,converting to the metric system only involves multiplying the English units it is using in the domestic market by the appropriate conversion coefficient.

Accepted Answer

Converting to the metric system involves more than simply multiplying English units by a conversion coefficient. It requires a shift in thinking and understanding of metric units and their relationships. Additionally, packaging and labeling may need to be adjusted to conform to metric standards in the target market.

Question 11

It is generally possible for an exporter accustomed to selling on a CIF basis to sell on an EXW basis,if that is what the importer requests.

Accepted Answer

Yes, it is generally possible for an exporter to sell on an EXW basis if that is what the importer requests, even if the exporter is accustomed to selling on a CIF basis. However, the exporter may need to adjust their pricing and be aware of the additional responsibilities and risks associated with EXW terms.

Question 12

Writing in International English is simply to follow that every writer knows: use short words that even children know how to spell; for example,"The Cat in the Hat" can be considered to have been written in International English.

Accepted Answer

International English aims to be clear and understandable to a global audience, focusing on simplicity and avoiding local idioms, but it is not solely about using short words or being understandable by children. It involves broader considerations such as clarity, global comprehensibility, and cultural sensitivity.

Question 13

Among the criteria that the United States Department of State uses to determine whether a language is relatively easy or relatively difficult to learn is the complexity of the alphabet that language uses.

Accepted Answer

The complexity of the alphabet is one of the criteria used by the United States Department of State to determine the difficulty of learning a language.

Question 14

When a foreigner does not understand something that a native English speaker is saying,it is best for the native speaker to repeat the sentence again,and add an explanation (or to rephrase the sentence after it is repeated).

Accepted Answer

It is best for the native English speaker to repeat the sentence and add an explanation or rephrase it to make it easier for the foreigner to understand. This is a common practice in communication, especially when there is a language barrier.

Question 15

In most countries,private and business lives are intermingled,with no clear boundaries between the two settings.

Accepted Answer

In most countries, there is a cultural and practical distinction between private and business lives, with societal norms and legal frameworks often establishing clear boundaries between the two settings.

Question 16

It is sometimes difficult to convert from one measure to another in the metric system,just as it is difficult to convert from cubic inches to gallons in the English system.

Accepted Answer

The metric system is designed for easy conversion between units using powers of ten, making it straightforward to convert between different measures, unlike the English system which often requires memorization of specific conversion factors.

Question 17

The metric system is the preferred system of measurement in the entire world,with the exception of the United States and two other small countries.

Accepted Answer

The metric system is indeed the preferred system of measurement worldwide, except for the United States, Liberia, and Myanmar, which have not adopted it as their official system of measurement.

Question 18

The sentence "We were all fired up about you're proposal" is written in such a simple way that it is clearly understandable to someone who only has a limited understanding of English as a second language.

Accepted Answer

The sentence contains a grammatical error ("you're" should be "your"), which could confuse non-native speakers by incorrectly suggesting possession with a contraction meant for "you are."

Question 19

Most languages are difficult to learn,but some are easier than others.

Accepted Answer

While some languages may be easier than others, it is generally true that most languages require a significant amount of time and effort to learn. Factors such as grammar rules, vocabulary, pronunciation, and writing systems can all contribute to the difficulty of a language.

Question 20

In a transaction conducted in the exporter's currency,it is the importer that carries the currency exchange rate risk.

Accepted Answer

In a transaction conducted in the exporter's currency, the importer must convert their currency to the exporter's currency in order to make payment. Therefore, the importer bears the risk of any potential fluctuations in the currency exchange rate between the time the contract is agreed upon and the time payment is made.

Quiz 17: Using International Logistics for Strategic Advantage