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Intercultural Communication Practice Test

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360 views4 pages

Intercultural Communication Practice Test

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© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
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Intercultural Communication Practice Test

Instructions:

- Write your answers on the provided answer sheet.

- Time allotted: 60 minutes.

- No materials or dictionaries are allowed during the test.

Part I: Multiple-Choice Questions (1 pt)


1. Which of the following countries is known for a high-context communication style?
A) Germany
B) Japan
C) Canada
D) Australia
ANS:

2. Hofstede’s dimension of “Individualism vs. Collectivism” primarily assesses what?


A) Power structures in society
B) Tolerance for ambiguity
C) Priority of group vs. individual needs
D) Level of gender equality
ANS:

3. Which behavior reflects a polychronic time orientation?


A) Scheduling tasks sequentially
B) Multitasking and fluid timelines
C) Strict adherence to deadlines
D) Limited flexibility in time management
ANS:

4. A country where people often avoid direct eye contact as a sign of respect is:
A) Australia
B) Japan
C) Germany
D) Brazil
ANS:

5. Which statement is true about low-context cultures?


A) They rely heavily on non-verbal communication.
B) They prefer direct and explicit communication.
C) They often leave messages implicit.
D) Relationships play a greater role than words.
ANS:
6. What does the term “ethnocentrism” refer to?
A) Acceptance of all cultural differences
B) Belief in the superiority of one’s own culture
C) Awareness of cultural relativism
D) Adoption of another culture’s practices
ANS:

7. Which cultural value is demonstrated in the statement, “What is best for the group
outweighs personal desires”?
A) Masculinity
B) Collectivism
C) Individualism
D) Long-term orientation
ANS:

8. In which type of culture are hierarchical relationships most likely to influence decision-
making?
A) Individualistic
B) Low Power Distance
C) High Power Distance
D) Feminine
ANS:

9. Which gesture is considered offensive in many Middle Eastern cultures?


A) Handing items with the left hand
B) Smiling during negotiations
C) Maintaining prolonged eye contact
D) Crossing your legs when sitting
ANS:

10. According to Hofstede, which culture is most likely to value “Uncertainty Avoidance”?
A) USA
B) Greece
C) Australia
D) Sweden
ANS:

Part II: True/False Questions (1 pt)


1. _____ In collectivist cultures, individual goals often take precedence over group goals.

2. _____ High-context cultures rely more on verbal cues than on non-verbal ones.

3. _____ A long-term orientation places greater value on traditions and short-term gains.

4. _____ Low-context cultures are likely to use explicit contracts and agreements.
5. _____ Stereotypes often stem from incomplete or incorrect information about other
cultures.

6. _____ In high power distance cultures, employees feel comfortable challenging authority.

7. _____ Smiling may signify discomfort rather than happiness in some Asian cultures.

8. _____ Monochronic cultures tend to prioritize punctuality and schedules.

9. _____ High uncertainty avoidance cultures are more likely to take risks.

10. _____ In indirect cultures, people are more likely to say “no” directly.

Part III: Matching Questions (1 pt)


Match the cultural behavior or characteristic in the left column with the corresponding term
in the right column.

1. One believes their culture is superior to others.

2. Openly addressing hierarchy differences is uncommon.

3. People prefer formal and detailed contracts.

4. Decisions are made collaboratively in groups.

5. Belief in destiny or external forces controlling outcomes.

6. Time is flexible, and multitasking is acceptable.

7. Communication is indirect and relies on non-verbal cues.

8. Work and tasks are prioritized over social relationships.

9. Strong gender roles are emphasized in society.

10. The individual’s achievements are prioritized over the group’s.

A) Individualism
B) Masculinity
C) Polychronic
D) Collectivism
E) Ethnocentrism
F) Low-context communication
G) High-context communication
H) External locus of control
I) Monochronic
J) High Power Distance
Part IV: Open-Ended Questions (2 pts)

Scenario 1
Anna, an American manager, travels to Thailand to lead a project team. In her first meeting,
she directly outlines the team’s objectives, assigns tasks, and insists on strict deadlines.
Some team members avoid eye contact and respond with a polite “yes.” Later, she notices
the team isn’t meeting the deadlines, and when she asks about the delay, the team members
give indirect responses.

Q1: What cultural communication differences are evident in this scenario? How should
Anna adapt her approach to be more effective?

Scenario 2
During a business negotiation, Carlos from Mexico is meeting Laura from Germany. Carlos
emphasizes building rapport by sharing personal stories before discussing the deal. Laura,
however, keeps redirecting the conversation to the agenda and insists on detailed
documentation. Carlos feels Laura is cold and untrustworthy, while Laura thinks Carlos is
wasting time.

Q2: Identify the intercultural challenges in this scenario. What strategies could help both
Carlos and Laura improve their communication?

Scenario 3
Lisa, a British journalist, interviews Akira, a Japanese CEO. During the interview, Akira often
pauses before answering questions and gives vague responses. Lisa interprets this as
hesitance or lack of knowledge, while Akira believes he is being polite by carefully
considering his words.

Q3: Explain the cultural misunderstanding in this scenario. How can Lisa better understand
Akira’s communication style?

Scenario 4
During a conference, a French attendee criticizes an American speaker’s presentation,
calling it “unrealistic.” The American defends the idea passionately and interprets the
critique as personal. Meanwhile, the French attendee believes the discussion is simply a
healthy exchange of ideas.

Q4: What cultural perspectives contribute to this conflict? How can both parties find
common ground?

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