Deck 3: Communicating Across Cultures

Question 1

Non-verbal signals are culturally defined.

Answer 1

True

Question 2

Symbols like age and height carry different non-verbal meanings in different parts of the world.

Answer 2

True

Question 3

The successful international communicator is aware that his/her preferred values and behaviours are influenced by culture and are always "right."

Answer 3

False

Question 4

In high-context cultures,most of the information is explicitly spelled out.

Question 5

Everywhere in the world,people must maintain eye contact with whom they are communicating as it is the universal sign of honesty.

Question 6

There are no differences in people within a culture.

Question 7

When communication difficulties arise,we must take our cultural behaviours for granted and assume they are "normal."

Question 8

In _____ cultures,most of the information is inferred from the context of a message.

A)individualistic
B)corporate
C)low-context
D)high-context

Question 9

It is acceptable to have individual pictures of just one sex or one race,but when taking pictures of groups it is better to show diversity.

Question 10

Which of the following cultures is considered high context?

A)Scandinavian
B)Latin American
C)German
D)North American

Question 11

Canada and the United States are predominantly monochronic cultures.

Question 12

Which of the following gives rise to communication difficulties?

A)When we assume that our cultural behaviours are "normal"
B)When we think that people's expectations of behaviours within cultures vary
C)When we know that people's expectations of behaviours vary from culture to culture
D)When we do not take our cultural behaviours for granted

Question 13

When one writes to an international audience,one should use first names,not titles.

Question 14

In polychronic cultures,people do several things at once.

Question 15

Which of the following contributes to ethnic diversity in the workplace in Canada?

A)Potential retirees
B)Sexual orientation
C)Immigration
D)Multitasking

Question 16

_____ is a learned set of assumptions that shape our perceptions of the world,and of appropriate values,norms,attitudes,and behaviors.

A)Race
B)Ethnicity
C)Culture
D)Ethics

Question 17

Low-context cultures favor direct approaches,and see indirectness as dishonest or manipulative.

Question 18

When language fails,people can depend on gestures to communicate with
non-English-speaking people as gestures or body motions have the same meaning in all societies.

Question 19

Miscommunication occurs because different cultures perceive time differently.

Question 20

Closed or defensive body positions include leaning forward with uncrossed arms and legs,with the arms away from the body.

Question 21

_____ is the distance people want between themselves and other people in ordinary,non-intimate interchanges.

A)High power distance
B)Open body position
C)Personal space
D)Monochronism

Question 22

Which of the following sentences is an example of sexist language?

A)When a nurse fills out an accident report form,she should send one copy to the Director of Health & Safety.
B)When you fill out an accident report form,send one copy to the Director of Health & Safety .
C)When a nurse fills out an accident report form,he/she should send one copy to the Director of Health & Safety .
D)A nurse will fill out an accident report form and send one copy of the form to the Director of Health & Safety .

Question 23

Which of the following is characteristic of communication in low-context cultures?

A)Favouring the indirect approach
B)Favouring an obliging,avoiding,affective-oriented style
C)Favouring the direct approach.
D)Favouring the verbal contracts.

Question 24

Which of the following should be done to check for bias in documents one writes?

A)Use terms that suggest competent people are unusual in a group.
B)Always mention someone's race or age.
C)Use terms that assume everyone is heterosexual.
D)Refer to a group by the term it prefers.

Question 25

Which of the following should be avoided when talking about people with disabilities and illnesses?

A)Outdated adjectives
B)People-first language
C)Terms a group prefers
D)Language focusing on the people

Question 26

Which of the following should be done to make one's writing free from sexism?

A)Avoid using titles that imply a person of either gender could hold a job.
B)Do not use any word containing "man".
C)Use neutral titles for jobs.
D)Always use traditional-gender pronouns.

Question 27

A _____ culture is one where people do only one important activity at a time.

A)collectivistic
B)low long-term oriented
C)high power distance
D)Monochronic

Question 28

Current business writers choose language for _.

A)broad appeal and popularity
B)clarity and equality
C)equity and broad appeal
D)clarity and equity

Question 29

Which of the following is true about producing bias-free photographs or illustrations?

A)The photos as a whole need to show exactly 50 percent men and 50 percent women.
B)The general impression should suggest that diversity is welcome and normal.
C)The general impression should depict a single race or gender.
D)All men should appear in business suits and the women in maids' uniforms.

Question 30

Which of the following is true about non-verbal communication?

A)Non-verbal signals are culturally uniform.
B)Non-verbal communication is also culturally learned.
C)Only 30 percent of all our communication is based on non-verbal symbols.
D)Spoken language is older and more powerful than non-verbal communication.

Question 31

When writing to international audiences,one should use:

A)Contractions.
B)Titles.
C)Sports metaphors.
D)First names.

Question 32

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

A)Emphasis on "I" identity
B)Direct mode
C)Verbal promises can be broken
D)Controlling,confrontational,solution-oriented style

Question 33

A _____ culture is where people do several things at once.

A)collectivistic
B)low long-term oriented
C)polychronic
D)high power distance

Question 34

Which of the following guidelines should be followed when choosing bias-free photos and illustrations?

A)A photo can support racism if equal numbers of people from each race are shown.
B)The general impression should suggest that diversity is welcome and normal.
C)Do not use individual pictures of just one sex or one race.
D)Photos need to show exactly 50 percent men and 50 percent women.

Question 35

In _____ cultures,most information is explicitly spelled out.

A)low-context
B)individualistic
C)corporate
D)high-context

Question 36

_____ body positions include leaning forward with uncrossed arms and legs,with the arms away from the body.

A)Offensive
B)Open
C)Defensive
D)Closed

Question 37

What do neutral titles imply?

A)That the preference is for female candidates
B)That the preference is for male candidates
C)That any age candidate can hold the job
D)Either gender candidate can hold the job

Question 38

Which of the following is to be avoided when writing bias-free documents?

A)Abstain from mentioning someone's race or age.
B)Refer to a group by the term it prefers.
C)Use terms that suggest competent people are unusual in a group.
D)Use terms that do not assume everyone is married or is heterosexual.

Question 39

_____ body positions include leaning back,arms and legs crossed,or hands in pockets.

A)Open
B)Neutral
C)Closed
D)Offensive

Question 40

_____ language avoids discriminating against people based on sex,physical condition, race,age,or any other category.

A)Racist
B)Bias-free
C)Sexist
D)Condition-first

Question 41

What are the implications of people living longer on the Canadian workforce?

Question 42

Give examples of how colour carries various meanings for different cultures?

Question 43

What does bias-free language mean?

Question 44

What is personal space?

Question 45

Describe how different North American body language and posture demonstrate self-concept,energy and open/closed body positions.