Intercultural conmmunication Exercises

Exercises

Part I True or False

Directions: There are 40 statements in this part. Read each statement and decide whether it is true or false. If it is true, choose “T”; if it is false, choose “F”. You should mark the corresponding letter on the Answer Sheet with a single letter through the centre.

1. A language is a set of symbols that a cultural group has agreed to use to create meaning and

the symbols and their meanings are often arbitrary.

2. What we can see about culture is just the tip of the iceberg; the majority of it is intangible,

beyond sight.

3. Culture can be compared to the rules of the game everybody is playing in any particular

society.

4. Parents often teach us the norms and rules of our culture by modeling how to behave and

correcting us when we violate them.

5. In China, most children are asked from a very early age to make their own decisions. 6. Culture is a static entity while communication is a dynamic process. 7. Culture is a dynamic system that is changing constantly.

8. The idea of saving and thrift is considered as a very important Confucian principle. 9. In its most general sense communication refers to the share or exchange of information, ideas,

views, feelings, emotions, etc.

10. Individualism, often regarded as the fundamental value held by Westerners, places more

importance on personal competence and interdependence.

11. Chinese people are more assertive and tend to make decisions for themselves instead of

consulting their colleagues or others around them.

12. Nowadays, with the rise of globalization, the two values: individualism and collectivism

begin to merge.

13. In collectivistic society, people are encouraged to speak their mind and tell the truth, so they

show their opinions directly.

14. In individualistic cultures, it is more likely that children are encouraged to form and express

opinions.

15. Americans generally do not try to mask their emotions and are much less concerned with

“face” - avoiding embarrassment to themselves or others.

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16. In low-context culture, much information is implied in the context.

17. Most cultures contain both high-context characteristics and low-context characteristics, but

usually there is a clear tendency toward one end of the continuum or the other.

18. Conversations in a low-context culture tend to be clear, to the point, and more explicit, with

low dependence on the use of nonverbal codes.

19. One reason for the indirect and subtle nature of the low-context communication is people’s

great concern over “face”.

20. The notions of equality lead Americans to be quite informal in their general behavior and in

their relationships with other people.

21. Americans are generally more concerned about history and traditions than Chinese. 22. For most Americans, voluntary idleness often is seen as a severely threatening and damaging

social condition.

23. For most Americans, work represents a cluster of moral and affective conditions of great

attractiveness.

24. It is very common in the West to ask someone how much they paid for a particular item. 25. In the individualistic culture, the interest of the individual prevails over the interests of the

group.

26. All cultures require and value politeness, but the ways in which politeness is achieved may

vary significantly.

27. The Chinese way of showing concern is usually appreciated by the Westerners. 28. Chinese people give more compliments in daily life than Americans. 29. Americans tend to be self-effacing in their compliment responses.

30. Sometimes the Chinese way of showing modesty may be considered as fishing for

compliments.

31. Chinese hospitality toward the Westerners is always greatly appreciated.

32. In past-oriented cultures, there is a strong belief that the past should be the guide for making

decisions.

33. People, who are future-oriented, consider how much they may earn in the future and decide

the expenditure.

34. Chinese TV and radio broadcasters speak faster than their American counterparts. 35. Latin American, African, Arab and most Asian cultures are M-time cultures.

36. Chinese people tend to talk with those opposite them rather than those seated or standing

beside them.

37. Euphemism means the act of substituting a mild, indirect, or vague term for one considered harsh,

blunt, or offensive.

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38. Honeymoon period is the first period of the culture adaptation where everything is new and

exciting.

39. Stereotype is assuming that a person has certain qualities (good or bad) just because the person is a

member of a special group.

40. Ethnocentrism refers to negatively judging aspects of another culture by the standards of

one’s own culture.

Part II Language Appropriacy and Accuracy

Directions: There are 50 statements or questions in this part. Each has a part underlined which describes a verbal or nonverbal behavior in intercultural interaction. Read each statement or question and decide whether the underlined part is appropriate or inappropriate. If it is appropriate, choose “A”; if it is inappropriate, choose “I”. You should mark the corresponding letter on the Answer Sheet with a single letter through the centre.

1. When the guests arrive, Western hosts or hostesses usually say, “Thank you for coming!” 2. You lent money to an American generously, and said, “Don’t mention it again. You don’t have to pay me back.” 3. On a cold winter day Wang Ping met Professor Brown on his way to the library. Wang said

to him: “It’s rather cold. You’d better wear more clothes.”

4. In a Western meal, you’re offered a second helping, but you have already had enough. You

say: “That is delicious, but I've already had plenty, thanks.”

5. In a factory, Li, the guide, is interpreting for a group of foreign guests. When they have

finished visiting one workshop, he would like the group to follow him to the next workshop. He says: “Follow me!”

6. On the way to the school cinema, Li saw Professor Blake walking to the cinema, too. Li

asked: “Are you going to the film?”

7. Jack phones Jane’s office. Jack: “Hello, I’d like to speak to Jane, please.” Jane: “This is Jane speaking.”

8. In America, a man was trying to make his way through the gangway (过道) of a crowded

train. The way to his seat was blocked by a lady carrying several packages. He wanted to ask her to make a way for him, saying, “Excuse me. Make a way please.”

9. Your friend’s mother, Mrs. Keeler, asked if you would like something to eat. You refused

politely: “No, thanks. I’ve just had lunch.”

10. In London, you want to go to the Heathrow Airport by taxi, you say to the taxi driver:

“Excuse me, would you possibly take me to Heathrow airport?”

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11. Simon, from America, taught English in a Chinese university, One day, the director of the

English Department informed Simon that he planned a journey to the nearby mountains. Simon said, “Sorry, I have a plan this weekend.”

12. Mrs. Brown, in her late forties, came to lecture, wearing a new dress. One of her students

said to her: “You look nice and younger wearing this dress.”

13. Patrick is sitting in a car with some friends. He has just asked if anyone minds him smoking.

One of the friends in the car, Gillian, is allergic to smoke. She says: “Would you mind if I say no, Patrick?”

14. Betty is a foreign student in China. She has met Peng Fei. Betty: “I was told that you won

the 100-metre race in the all-city track meet this morning. Congratulations!” Peng: “I can’t say I did well this morning.”

15. Xu Cheng happened to meet Jones at the bank when Jones was withdrawing money. Xu

said jokingly to him: “You’re really a millionaire.”

16. You have spent an afternoon with your foreign teacher, Mr. Good. You have just got to go.

Mr. Good: “Do drop around and visit us some time.” You: “Thank you, I will.” 17. You address Jason Douglas, who is a lawyer, as “Lawyer Douglas”. 18. You are a guest in a British or American friend’s home. Your friend asks if you would like

something to drink. You really would like a drink. You say: “Yes, that would be lovely.” 19. Yang Yang invited a Canadian friend, Julia, to her home for a meal. The dinner was ready

and they were sitting at the table. There were so many dishes and they all looked delicious. Yang Yang said, “I’m sorry I’m not a very good cook and have just prepared so little.” 20. Wang Lin called at one of his foreign friend’s house. He was really impressed by the

beautiful curtains made by his friend’s wife. He said to her: “Well, I didn’t expect you could make such pretty curtains.”

21. Li Ming had something to tell Mr. Smith, the head of the department, so he went to his

office, entered it and said to him: “Can I have a word with you, Mr. Smith?”

22. Li Hua invited an American friend, Ann, to his home. After Ann entered the room, Li Hua

said, “My room is very small and untidy. Please sit down and have a cup of tea. You must be tired.”

23. Mary came to Zhang Mei’s birthday party and brought her a present wrapped in a nice box.

Zhang Mei unwrapped the box in Mary’s presence and praised the present.

24. Dr. Jones, your supervisor, telephoned to invite you to have dinner with his family. You

replied: “Thank you. All right. I’ll try to come.”

25. If you have a question to ask your foreign teacher of English, you may say goodbye to him and leave immediately after you have got the answer and expressed your gratitude. 4

26. Dr. Smith, over 60, invited Li Bing to his birthday party. Li Bing brought him a China god of longevity as a present. 27. When you want to compliment your English friend’s new coat, you can say: “I like your new coat.”

28. If you are invited to dinner by one of your English-speaking friends, you may bring the hostess some fruit as a present. 29. In English speaking countries, if one touches another person accidentally, he or she usually makes an apology. 30. When you are eating with an English friend, you wish him: “Good appetite!”

31. Mrs. Godwin was about the same age as Li Ming’s grandmother, so Li called her

“Grandma.”

32. If you don’t quite understand a native speaker of English and therefore want him to repeat

an utterance, you say: “I beg your pardon, please.”

33. Liu Hui recently moved to Los Angeles as a sales representative for a company. It’s early

December and Liu knows this is the season many businesses give gifts to their clients. Liu buys a bottle of perfume for one of his client, Ann, and has it wrapped in red paper 34. When you break a plate in one of your friend’s house, you say: “I’m awfully sorry, but I seem to have broken a plate.”

35. The best answer to the invitation “You really must come and see us one of these days.” may

be “Thank you very much. I love meeting English people.”

36. The appropriate answer to the question “Who’s that crossing the street?” is “She’s Mary.” 37. In public places, when a smoker says to you “Would you mind if I smoke?” You may

answer: “Yes, please.”

38. One of your foreign friends gives you a gift. Friend: “Here is a little something for you. I

hope that you like it.” You: “No, no. I really can’t accept it.”

39. In America, people often fall in chairs, put their feet on their desks, sit on the carpeted floor, or slouch when they stand.

40. One American friend invited a visiting scholar from China to watch a movie. America:

What kind of movie do you like? Chinese: I don’t care. It’s up to you. Any movie you like will be fine. 41. Mr. Green’s secretary, Pat Kent, went to the airport to meet Mr. Barnes for her boss. Miss

Kent: “Excuse me, would you be Mr. Barnes?”

42. If you study as a graduate student in the U.S.A., you should always try to avoid telephoning your American classmates at sometime later than 11 p.m. unless there is an emergency. 43. In America a Chinese praised one of his colleagues, “Your skin is very white!”

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44. If you are a male and introduced to an English speaking lady, you do not take the initiative in shaking hands unless she holds out her hand first. 45. Li Ming, a Chinese high school English teacher, met his American friend, Sunny, at

Tian’anmen Square. After greeting and chatting for a while. Sunny said. “Nice meeting you.” The Chinese teacher continued talking. 46. In western countries, when you feel ill and want to go and see a doctor, it is good idea to

make an appointment before you go. 47. In America, when one person gets in an elevator with another person already in the elevator,

they exchange a brief smile.

48. In America, in public speaking, a speaker reads a speech instead of looking at and talking to his audience. 49. Western mothers usually like Chinese to touch their babies or small children. 50. In U.K., using the “V” sign to mean “victory”, you can do it with the palm facing outwards or inwards.

Part III Translation

Directions: Give the Chinese equivalents of the following expressions. Please write your translation on the Answer Sheet.

1. early bird 2. big bug 3. fat cat

早起或者早到者 大人物 事业成功者 幸运儿 头领 无用的东西 夜猫子 害群之马 胆怯起来 吹牛 沾沾自喜

愚弄他人；发假警报 牛饮 如履薄冰 水中捞月 大雨倾盆

跳蚤市场（旧货市场）

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4. lucky dog (bird) 5. top dog

6. white elephant 7. night owl

8. black sheep 9. turn chicken 10. talk horse

11. play the peacock 12. cry wolf

13. drink like a fish 14. tread upon eggs 15. fish in the air

16. rain cat s and dogs 17. flea market

18. crocodile tears 假慈悲 19. as wet as a drowned rat 湿得像落汤鸡 20. as strong as a horse 壮如牛 21. as timid as a hare 胆小如鼠 22. as stupid as a goose

蠢得像猪 23. like a cat on hot bricks

热锅上的蚂蚁 24. the apple of somebody’s eye 掌上明珠

25. red light district 红灯区; 色情场所 26. catch sb. red-handed 当场抓获 27. red rag

让人生气的东西 28. a red letter day 节假日; 纪念日 29. to be in the red 亏损; 负债; 赤字 30. yellow ribbon 黄丝带 (表示欢迎归来) 31. yellow dog 卑鄙小人 32. yellow looks 尖酸多疑的神情 33. blue film 黄色电影 34. in a blue mood

情绪低落 35. white lie 不怀恶意的谎言 36. grey hair 白头发 37. black tea

红茶 38. brown sugar 红糖

39. green-eyed 眼红的；嫉妒的 40. a green hand 生手，易上当受骗的人 41. green goods 新鲜货 42. a green old age 老当益壮 43. shoe rebuilder

修鞋匠 44. landscape engineer 园林工人 45. sanitation engineer 清洁工 46. senior citizens

老人 47. Spend money like water. 挥金如土 48. Haste makes waste.

欲速则不达。

49. Where there is smoke there is fire. 无风不起浪。

50. Better be the head of a dog than the tail of a lion. 宁为鸡头，无为牛后。51. Justice has long arms. 天网恢恢，疏而不漏。 52. Diamond cut diamond. 棋逢对手。

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53. You can’t have your cake and eat it too. 鱼和熊掌不可兼得。 54. Gild the lily. 画蛇添足

55. Kill two birds with one stone. 一箭双雕。

56. Give a person a dose of his own medicine. 以其人之道还治其人之身。 57. Look for a needle in a haystack. 大海捞针。 58. Cry up wine and sell vinegar. 挂羊头卖狗肉。

59. You will cross the bridge when you get to it.船到桥头自然直。 60. Man proposes, God disposes. 谋事在人，成事在天。

Part IV Question and Answer

Directions: State your understanding of the following questions. Write your answers on the Answer Sheet.

1. Why is culture compared to an iceberg?

2. There are some of the most important American characteristics which we Chinese lack but are

very important to us. What do you think they are?

3. How have foreign cultures influenced your life? Give examples to illustrate your ideas. 4. What are the differences in the concepts of privacy between the Chinese culture and American

culture?

5. What are the different features of M-time and P-time? 6. How do people from different cultures understand “silence”?

7. Why are Chinese students less active than American students in class? Give explanations from

a cultural point of view.

8. What should you do to improve your intercultural competence?

Part V Case Analysis

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