episode 03 exercise answer 01

Part 1: Solution

Let's see how well you answered the questions.

Intercultural Communication Basics

In preparation for her meeting with an international client, Pauline reviews the basics of intercultural communication. Choose the best answer from the multiple choice questions below.

	1.	When communicating verbally with someone from another culture, you should
		a. use simple language.
		b. check frequently for comprehension.
		c. listen without interrupting.
		d. all of the above.
		Your Answer:
		Correct Answer: d
		By doing all of these things, you ensure that your message is sent clearly and that you understand your audience.

	2.	Distinct groups that exist within a major culture are called
		a. sects.
		b. subcultures.
		c. nations.
		d. states.
		Your Answer:
		Correct Answer: b
		Subcultures exist within all main cultures. For example, at your university, you may be part of a large university-wide culture and also be part of the business school subculture.

	3.	When communicating in writing with someone from another culture, you should
		a. adopt expected style.
		b. use short sentences and paragraphs.
		c. avoid ambiguous wording and colloquialisms.
		d. all of the above.
		Your Answer:
		Correct Answer: d
		To ensure clear communication, follow culturally expected styles and use clear, concise language. In addition, since intercultural communication can be easily misunderstood, be certain to cite all numbers carefully using both numerals and the spelled out clarification of the numbers.

	4.	The pattern of physical cues and implicit understanding that convey meaning between two members of the same culture is referred to as
		a. intercultural communication.
		b. cross-cultural communication.
		c. cultural context.
		d. ethnocentrism.
		Your Answer:
		Correct Answer: c
		Cultural context governs how people assign meaning to a message. Cultures are considered to be high-context or low-context. In high-context cultures, people rely less on verbal communication and more on the context of nonverbal actions and environmental settings to convey meaning. In low-context cultures, people rely more on verbal communication to convey meaning.

	5.	Which would be an example of time orientation?
		a. An American company devotes several hours of training each week to employees' communication skills.
		b. A German executive is surprised that his meeting with Latin American counterparts begins later than scheduled and extends well beyond the established end time.
		c. A British executive arrives in Australia after a long flight. She feels groggy and unable to function in the meeting.
		d. An executive from the United Arab Emirates arrives promptly for a meeting with Swiss customers.
		Your Answer:
		Correct Answer: b
		Each culture has its own perspective on time. For example, Latin American cultures view time as fluid and flexible while Northern Europeans view time as rigid. In Latin American cultures, meetings may begin much later than the established start time and extend well past the established end time. However, in Germany, meetings begin and end promptly at the times established.

	6.	An individual may belong to which of the following cultures?
		a. national
		b. ethnic
		c. religious
		d. all of the above
		Your Answer:
		Correct Answer: d
		An individual may belong to national, ethnic, and religious cultures all at once. For example, a Canadian of North African descent who practices the Muslim religion belongs to the Canadian national culture, the North African ethnic culture, and the Muslim religious culture.

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