Question 1

Which of the following is an invisible sign of culture?

Accepted Answer

A) An attorney wears a conservative suit to court. 
B) Christopher believes that adults need to be responsible for their actions. 
C) On their anniversary, Vaughn takes his wife to dinner. 
D) At every department meeting, the manager sits at the head of the conference table. 
A) An attorney wears a conservative suit to court. 
B) Christopher believes that adults need to be responsible for their actions. 
C) On their anniversary, Vaughn takes his wife to dinner. 
D) At every department meeting, the manager sits at the head of the conference table. B

Question 2

A businessperson from Canada was introduced to the president of a company in another country, and the businessperson immediately began treating the president as his equal. The president might be particularly offended if he is from which country?

Accepted Answer

A) Japan 
B) United States 
C) Canada 
D) Germany 
A) Japan 
B) United States 
C) Canada 
D) Germany A

Question 3

Culture is a powerful operating force that conditions the way we think and behave. To be successful in the global economy, it's important to understand the basic characteristics of culture so that we can make adjustments and adopt new attitudes. List and describe three basic characteristics of culture.

Accepted Answer

Student answers will vary but should include three of the following characteristics:
1) Culture is learned
Rules, values, and attitudes of a culture are learned and passed down from generation to generation. For example, in many Middle Eastern and some Asian cultures, same-sex people may walk hand in hand in the street, but opposite-sex people may not do so. In Arab cultures conversations are sometimes held nose to nose. However, in Western cultures if a person stands too close, one may react as if violated. Cultural rules of behaviour learned from your family and society are conditioned from early childhood.
2) Cultures are inherently logical
The rules in any culture reinforce that culture's values and beliefs. They act as normative forces. Although current cultural behaviour may not always make sense to you, nearly all serious rules and values originate in deep-seated beliefs. Rules about exposing teeth or how close to stand are linked to values about sexuality, aggression, modesty, and respect. Acknowledging the inherent logic of a culture is extremely important when encountering behaviour that differs from one's own cultural norms.
3) Culture is the basis of self-identity and community
Culture is the basis for how we tell the world who we are and what we believe. People build their identities through cultural overlays to their primary culture. When Canadians make choices in education, career, place of employment, and life partner, they consider certain rules, manners, ceremonies, beliefs, languages, and values. These considerations add to their total cultural outlook and are major expressions of their self-identity.
4) Culture combines the visible and invisible
To outsiders, the way we act-those things that we do in daily life and work-are the most visible parts of our culture. On the surface we recognize numerous signs of culture including the words we use, our body language and gestures, the way we dress, and our outward behaviour. Under the surface, however, lie unspoken rules governing what is seen. These unspoken and often unconscious rules are determined by our beliefs and values, attitudes and biases, feelings and fears, and upbringing. The invisible structure of culture vastly outweighs the visible.
5) Culture is dynamic
Over time cultures change. Changes are caused by advancements in technology and communication, as discussed earlier. Local differences are modified or slowly erased. Change is also caused by events such as migration, natural disasters, and wars. One major event in this country was the exodus of people from farms. When families moved to cities, major changes occurred in the way family members interacted. Attitudes, behaviours, and beliefs change in open societies more quickly than in closed societies.

Question 4

Business communicators in low-context cultures, such as Canada and Germany, assume that messages must be explicit, and listeners rely exclusively on the written or spoken word.

Accepted Answer

A) True 
 B)False

Question 5

Members of high-context cultures are more likely to be logical, analytical, and action oriented.

Accepted Answer

A) True 
 B)False

Question 6

The North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA) promotes open trade globally.

Accepted Answer

A) True 
 B)False

Question 7

Emile was born in Paris and has lived his entire life in France. He is proud of his country and believes that the French are superior to all other cultures. What is Emile displaying?

Accepted Answer

A) discrimination 
B) ethnocentrism 
C) prejudice 
D) illegal behaviour 
A) discrimination 
B) ethnocentrism 
C) prejudice 
D) illegal behaviour

Question 8

Prototypes are rigid, generalized beliefs about another culture.

Accepted Answer

A) True 
 B)False

Question 9

High-context communicators tend to use ____________________ logic to reach conclusions. That is, they circle around a topic indirectly and look at it from many tangential or divergent viewpoints.

Accepted Answer

The answer of High-context communicators tend to use ____________________ logic...

Question 10

Customers prefer to deal with companies with diverse employees who respect customers' values and reflect the diverse makeup of these customers.

Accepted Answer

A) True 
 B)False

Question 11

When you face a challenge while communicating orally with someone from another culture, using gestures is the best alternative, because gestures mean the same in every culture.

Accepted Answer

A) True 
 B)False

Question 12

Compare and contrast low-context and high-context cultures in three of the following areas: individualism and collectivism, time orientation, power distance, and communication style.

Accepted Answer

The answer of Compare and contrast low-context and high-context cultures...

Question 13

Which of the following is the correct wording to use when writing an e-mail message to someone from another culture?

Accepted Answer

A) Are you available for a videoconference on 3/5? 
B) Please get back to me ASAP to set up our meeting. 
C) This agreement between our two companies should be a slam dunk. 
D) We look forward to meeting with you next month. 
A) Are you available for a videoconference on 3/5? 
B) Please get back to me ASAP to set up our meeting. 
C) This agreement between our two companies should be a slam dunk. 
D) We look forward to meeting with you next month.

Question 14

To improve tolerance of cultural differences, practise ____________________, which requires seeing the world through another's eyes.

Accepted Answer

The answer of To improve tolerance of cultural differences, practise...

Question 15

____________________ in the workplace has many dimensions, including race, ethnicity, age, religion, gender, national origin, physical ability, sexual orientation, and other qualities.

Accepted Answer

The answer of ____________________ in the workplace has many dimensions,...

Question 16

Amaya was just hired by a company with an extremely diverse workforce. She wants to fit in immediately. What should she do?

Accepted Answer

A) Rely on stereotypes to learn about individuals from different cultures. 
B) Concentrate on shared experiences, mutual goals, and similar values. 
C) Try to conform immediately because everyone else has probably conformed already. 
D) Assume that all individuals share the same holidays and lifestyles. 
A) Rely on stereotypes to learn about individuals from different cultures. 
B) Concentrate on shared experiences, mutual goals, and similar values. 
C) Try to conform immediately because everyone else has probably conformed already. 
D) Assume that all individuals share the same holidays and lifestyles.

Question 17

Because it is based on strong tradition and deep-seated beliefs, a country's culture rarely changes.

Accepted Answer

A) True 
 B)False

Question 18

Steven is an analytical, action-oriented person who places great value on business messages that are objective, professional, and efficient. Which culture is he most likely a part of?

Accepted Answer

A) low-context 
B) spiral logic 
C) high-context 
D) intuitive 
A) low-context 
B) spiral logic 
C) high-context 
D) intuitive

Question 19

Brooke, who works for a Canadian company, has just been assigned to manage the company's division in Vietnam. She should emphasize team-based projects and group decision making with her new employees.

Accepted Answer

A) True 
 B)False

Question 20

What is the belief that one's own race is superior known as?

Accepted Answer

A) prototyping 
B) stereotyping 
C) ethnocentrism 
D) prejudice 
A) prototyping 
B) stereotyping 
C) ethnocentrism 
D) prejudice

Which of the following is an invisible sign of culture?

A businessperson from Canada was introduced to the president of a company in another country, and the businessperson immediately began treating the president as his equal. The president might be particularly offended if he is from which country?

Business communicators in low-context cultures, such as Canada and Germany, assume that messages must be explicit, and listeners rely exclusively on the written or spoken word.

Members of high-context cultures are more likely to be logical, analytical, and action oriented.

The North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA) promotes open trade globally.

Emile was born in Paris and has lived his entire life in France. He is proud of his country and believes that the French are superior to all other cultures. What is Emile displaying?

Prototypes are rigid, generalized beliefs about another culture.

High-context communicators tend to use ____________________ logic to reach conclusions. That is, they circle around a topic indirectly and look at it from many tangential or divergent viewpoints.

Customers prefer to deal with companies with diverse employees who respect customers' values and reflect the diverse makeup of these customers.

When you face a challenge while communicating orally with someone from another culture, using gestures is the best alternative, because gestures mean the same in every culture.

Compare and contrast low-context and high-context cultures in three of the following areas: individualism and collectivism, time orientation, power distance, and communication style.

Which of the following is the correct wording to use when writing an e-mail message to someone from another culture?

To improve tolerance of cultural differences, practise ____________________, which requires seeing the world through another's eyes.

____________________ in the workplace has many dimensions, including race, ethnicity, age, religion, gender, national origin, physical ability, sexual orientation, and other qualities.

Amaya was just hired by a company with an extremely diverse workforce. She wants to fit in immediately. What should she do?

Because it is based on strong tradition and deep-seated beliefs, a country's culture rarely changes.

Steven is an analytical, action-oriented person who places great value on business messages that are objective, professional, and efficient. Which culture is he most likely a part of?

Brooke, who works for a Canadian company, has just been assigned to manage the company's division in Vietnam. She should emphasize team-based projects and group decision making with her new employees.

What is the belief that one's own race is superior known as?

Business Communication in the Digital Age

Professionalism: Team, Meeting, Listening, Nonverbal, and Etiquette Skills

Planning Business Messages

Organizing and Drafting Business Messages

Revising Business Messages

Short Workplace Messages and Digital Media

Positive Messages

Negative Messages

Persuasive and Sales Messages

Reporting in the Workplace

Informal Business Reports

Proposals, Business Plans, and Formal Business Reports

Business Presentations

The Job Search and Résumés

Interviewing and Following up

Grammar Exercises

Filters

Exam 3: Intercultural Communication

Which of the following is an invisible sign of culture?

A businessperson from Canada was introduced to the president of a company in another country, and the businessperson immediately began treating the president as his equal. The president might be particularly offended if he is from which country?

Business communicators in low-context cultures, such as Canada and Germany, assume that messages must be explicit, and listeners rely exclusively on the written or spoken word.

Members of high-context cultures are more likely to be logical, analytical, and action oriented.

The North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA) promotes open trade globally.

Emile was born in Paris and has lived his entire life in France. He is proud of his country and believes that the French are superior to all other cultures. What is Emile displaying?

Prototypes are rigid, generalized beliefs about another culture.

High-context communicators tend to use ____________________ logic to reach conclusions. That is, they circle around a topic indirectly and look at it from many tangential or divergent viewpoints.

Customers prefer to deal with companies with diverse employees who respect customers' values and reflect the diverse makeup of these customers.

When you face a challenge while communicating orally with someone from another culture, using gestures is the best alternative, because gestures mean the same in every culture.

Compare and contrast low-context and high-context cultures in three of the following areas: individualism and collectivism, time orientation, power distance, and communication style.

Which of the following is the correct wording to use when writing an e-mail message to someone from another culture?

To improve tolerance of cultural differences, practise ____________________, which requires seeing the world through another's eyes.

____________________ in the workplace has many dimensions, including race, ethnicity, age, religion, gender, national origin, physical ability, sexual orientation, and other qualities.

Amaya was just hired by a company with an extremely diverse workforce. She wants to fit in immediately. What should she do?

Because it is based on strong tradition and deep-seated beliefs, a country's culture rarely changes.

Steven is an analytical, action-oriented person who places great value on business messages that are objective, professional, and efficient. Which culture is he most likely a part of?

Brooke, who works for a Canadian company, has just been assigned to manage the company's division in Vietnam. She should emphasize team-based projects and group decision making with her new employees.

What is the belief that one's own race is superior known as?

Business Communication in the Digital Age

Professionalism: Team, Meeting, Listening, Nonverbal, and Etiquette Skills

Planning Business Messages

Organizing and Drafting Business Messages

Revising Business Messages

Short Workplace Messages and Digital Media

Positive Messages

Negative Messages

Persuasive and Sales Messages

Reporting in the Workplace

Informal Business Reports

Proposals, Business Plans, and Formal Business Reports

Business Presentations

The Job Search and Résumés

Interviewing and Following up

Grammar Exercises

Filters