《跨文化交际》试卷及答案

《跨⽂化交际》试卷

Section I: Language Appropriacy and Accuracy [45 points] Instructions: There are altogether 15 statements or questionsbelow. You are offered four choices marked with A, B, C and D for each statement or question. Choose the most appropriateone and write the corresponding letter on the Answer Sheet.

1. Bob, I need your help. The whole thing seems to be freaking out. Whatever I do, it is getting worse.A. funnyB. decliningC. losing controlD. happening

2. What did you do to increase profit and eliminate losses? We haven’t been in the black for two months in a row.A. lack of moneyB. in the dark nightC. needing moneyD. gaining money

3. I’ll have to start earlier the next time. This time I only finished by the skin of my teeth.A. finished it unsuccessfullyB. finished with my mouth shutC. barely succeeded in finishing itD. rarely shut my mouth when finishing it

4. I don’t think you can depend on Jack to do that job by himself. He is too green.A: shy B. inexperienced. C. timid D. naive

5. --Wow! Carl has done some really amazing things!

--Don’t believe everything he tells you. He was probably pulling your leg.A. teasing youB. cheering you upC. ridiculing youD. dragging your leg

6. Below are some topics. Three of them should be avoided in the cultural communication. Which one is the rightexpectation?A. Are you Christian?

B. How much did you pay for the dress?C. Do you have a brother or a sister?D. Nice to see you again, you’re fatter.

7. Which one in the following expressions is Not True?A. as meek as a lamb

B. as foolish as a donkeyC. as wise as an owlD. as strong as a cow

8. We know that the dog is regarded as man’s best friend in the West, but sometimes dogs also have negative associations,such as ‘ _______ “A. A top dogB. Get the dog

C. He worked like a dogD. Lead a dog’s lite

9. I do think her presentation is wonderful. I simply can’t _____ the flaw in her argument.A. lay a finger onB. keep my hand inC. put my finger onD. hold my hand in

10. Which of the following groups are family names?A. Thomas, Richard, RobertsonB. William, Smith, ClarkC. Taylor, Anthony, WatkinsD. George, Edwards, Jackson

11. In a Western meal, you’re offered a ‘second helping, but you have already had enough. What would you say?A. No, thanks, I don’t like it.B. No, I don’t want any.C. No, I’m terribly full.

D. That is delicious, but I’ve already had plenty, thanks.12. Which one in the following expressions is Not True?A. The Gang of FourB. A flock of cootsC. A school of birdsD. A pack of wolves

13. Which one in the following expressions is Not True ?.A. as slippery as an eelB. as majestic as a tigerC. as stubborn as a muleD. as stupid as a goose

14. Which idiom or saying below shows people’s positive attitude towards dogs?A. A jolly dog.

B. He worked like a dog.C. Lead a dog’s life.D. Treat someone like a dog.

15. Which of the following statements is Not True?A. Female names tend to be longer with more syllables.

B. Female names tend to have higher percentage of names with stress on a syllable other than the first.C. Male names tend to make more use of /i/ sound, such as Steve, Peter, and Keith.

D. Female names more likely end with vowel sound, while male names with a plosive sound.Section II: Reading Comprehension [25ints]

Part 1: Questions16-20 are based on this part. (15 points)

Read Passage 1 and then answer Questions 16-20 briefly. Write your answers on the Answer Sheet.Passage 1

In Australian families the central relationship is usually that between husband and wife, with children being thought of asindependent individuals from an early age. The central relationship around which Chinese families revolve is quite different.Here the stress is placed on the relationship between parents and children. Couples with children view the roles of motheracid father as coming before those of husband and wife. It is the parents, usually the father, who make all important decisionsfor children. It is the father, for example, who will usually make decisions concerning what and where the children shouldstudy. This is in marked contrast to Australian families where children play an increasingly important role in deciding suchmatters as they grow older. This independence is also shown in the Australian custom of children leaving home to liveindependently of their parents long before marriage. There are few if any opportunities for young people to set up

independently in this fashion in China. Indeed, the Australian practice in this regard can seem from a Chinese perspective toindicate that Australians do not care about their families.

Australian children are more likely to be expected to work while they are studying than their Chinese counterparts. This canalso apply to household chores, with Chinese parents expecting their offspring to devote their time to their studies. Childrenmay be excused such duties right up to marriage, so that married life can sometimes come as a rude awakening to the needto cook and clean. Whereas in Australia students may work during the holidays or part-time during term, such activity is rarein China. The situation has changed somewhat since the end of the 1980s, with some students taking work as tutors orproviding various services such as dressmaking. But the initial public reaction was one of shock. It is, then, still viewed asprimarily the parents’ responsibility to support their children while they are pursuing their education. Money spent in this wayis under no circumstances regarded as a loan, to be repaid when the children finish their education and have secured a job.University students in Australia also receive financial assistance from their parents and there is in some families an

understanding that this will be repaid once they are financially independent. To many Chinese this may smack of lack of loveand family feeling.

The Australian emphasis on fostering independence in children from an early age runs counter to the Chinese view. Chinesechildren are not expected to be autonomous of their families to the same extent, with dependence on parents up to the timethey are married. The protection and care of their children is the duty of parents. Chinese parents would look upon the failureto fulfill this duty as violating the most basic of parental responsibility. Dependence is the inevitable corollary and notsomething to shed as soon as possible but the expression of strong family bonds of affection.16. What’s the primary relationship in an Australian family and in a Chinese family?17. What role do children play in an Australian family?18. Why don’t Chinese children do household chores at home?

19. What are Australian children expected to do during their school years?20. What’s the main idea of the passage?

Part 2: Questions 21--25 are based on this part. (10points)

Read Passage 2 and then decide whether Statements 21- 25 are True or False according to the information given in thepassage. Write ‘T’ for true and ‘F’ for false on the Answer Sheet.

Passage 2

The English Character

No Englishman believes in working from book learning. He suspects all theories, philosophical or other. He suspectseverything new, and dislikes it, unless he can be compelled by the force of circumstances to see that this new thing has

advantages over the old. Race-experience is what he invariably depends upon, whenever he can, whether in India, in Egypt,or in Australia. His statesmen do not consult historical precedents in order to decide what to do: they first learn the facts asthey are; then they depend upon their own common sense, not at all upon their university learning or upon philosophicaltheories. And in the case of the English nation, it must be acknowledged that this instinctive method has been eminentlysuccessful. The last people from whom praise can be expected, even for what is worthy of all praise, are the English. A newfriendship, a new ideal, a reform, a noble action, a wonderful poem, an exquisite painting -- any of these things will be

admired and praised by every other people in Europe long before you can get Englishmen to praise. The Englishman all thistime is studying, considering, trying to find fault. Why should he try to find fault? So that he will not make any mistakes at alater day. He has inherited the terrible caution of his ancestors in regard to mistakes. It must be granted that his caution hassaved him from a number of very serious mistakes that other nations have made. It must also be acknowledged that he

exercises a fair amount of moderation in the opposite direction -- his modern Englishman; he has learned caution of anotherkind, which his ancestors taught him. ‘Power should be used with moderation; for whoever finds himself among valiant menwill discover that no man is peerless.’ And this is a very important thing for the strong man to know -- that however strong, hecannot be the strongest; his match will be found when occasion demands it. Not only Scandinavian but English rulers haveoften discovered this fact to their cost.

The judgment of the Englishman by all other. European peoples is that he

is most suspicious, the most reserved, the most unreceptive, the most unfriendly, the coldest- hearted, and the most

domineering of all western peoples. Ask a Frenchman, an Italian, a German, a Spaniard, even an American, what he thinksabout Englishmen; and every one of them will tell you the very same thing. This is precisely what the character of men wouldbecome who had lived for thousands of years in the conditions of northern society. But you would find upon the other handthat nearly all nations would speak highly

of certain other English qualities- energy, courage, honor, justice (between themselves). They would say that although noman is so difficult to make friends with, the friendship of an Englishman once gained is more strong and true than any other.And as the battle of life continues, and must continue for thousands of years to come, it must be acknowledged that theEnglish character is especially well fitted for the struggle. Its reserves, its cautions, its doubts, its suspicions, its brutality --these have been for

it in the past, and are still in the present, the best social amour and panoply

of war. It is not a lovable nor an amiable character; it is not even kindly. The Englishman of the best type is much moreinclined to be just than he is

to be kind, for kindness is an emotional impulse, and the Englishman is on his guard against every kind of emotionalimpulse. But with all this, the character is a grand one, and its success has been the best proof of its value.21. The Englishmen are willing to see the advantages of new things.

22. The Englishmen would rather depend on their race experience than university learning or philosophical theories.23. It is less likely to get praise from an American than from an Englishman.

24. Being quite cautious, the Englishman has avoided making a lot of mistakes that other nations have made.25. Emotional impulse is one of the English characters.Section Ⅲ: Communication Analysis [30 points]

Instructions; The following are three different cases of cross-cultural communication. In each of the cases there is somethingto be improved upon. Write an analysis on what is to be desired for more successful communication

or cultural understanding in each case by answering Questions 26-28 respectively. Your analysis of each case should beabout 100 -- 150 words. Write your answers on the Answer Sheet.

Note:! Your writing ability will also be assessed in this section of the test. Case 1 (7 points)

Li Gang is a new Chinese student in an American university. He is very glad that one of his classmates, Peter, invites him tosee a film one day. Li Gang goes to the cinema on time. When he gets there, Peter is waiting for him. Peter says, ‘I have

bought mine. You go quickly to buy your ticket.’ Li Gang gets surprised.Question 26. Why does Li Gang get Surprised?Case 2 :(10 points)

Mrs. Chen has just moved to America. Her husband is a guest professor there. She finds that a car is very necessary in

America, so she decides to buy one. After she has chosen a suitable car, she takes out the cash to pay. The salesman is veryglad and surprised, ‘Great. You pay in cash. ‘Mrs. Chen gets confused.Question 27: Why does Mrs. Chen get confused?Case 3 (13 points)

Sarah and Daniel are a young American couple who are teaching English at Zhejiang University. They are leaning Chineseand enjoy their new lives. They have been eager to get to know Chinese people better so were pleased when Chen’ Li, theirnew Chinese colleague invited them to her h ome for? dinner at one weekend:

When Sarah and Dahiel arrived, Chen Li introduced them to her hus- band Wang Bing, asked them to sit down at a tablecontaining 8 plates of various cold dishes served them tea and then disappeared with her husband into the kitchen. Sarahoffered to help in the kitchen but Chen Li said she didn’t need any help.

A half-hour later she came back and sat down and the three began to eat. Wang Bing came in from time to time to put severalhot dishes on the table. Most of the food was wonderful and there was much more than Sarah and Daniel could eat. Theywanted Wang Bing to sit down so that they could talk to him. Finally he did sit down and ate a bit, but quickly he turned on theTV to show them high tech features. Soon it was time for Sarah and Daniel to go home.

Sarah and Daniel felt slightly depressed by this experience, but returned the invitation one month later. They decided tomake a nice American meal and felt lucky to find olives, tomato juice, butter and even some cheese in the hotel shop. Theyput these out as appetizers. For the main course they prepared spaghetti and a salad with dressing made from oil, vinegar,and some spices they found in the market.

When Chen Li and Wang Bing arrived they were impressed by the apartment and the decorations, and asked about the priceof the furniture, paintings, the carpet and other things. Sarah politely refused to answer their questions. They took small tastesof the appetizers and ate only a little spaghetti and didn’t finish the salad on their plates. Sarah urged them to eat more butthey refused. Sarah and Daniel talked about their families and asked the Chinese couple about theirs. After a while, Danielcleared the table and served coffee and pastries. The Chinese couple didn’t drink nor eat too much. After they left, Sarah andDaniel felt puzzled, because their Chinese guests didn’t eat too much, while they themselves left Chen Li’s home so full.Question 28

How does Chinese understanding of the host-guest relationship influence Chen Li and WangBing’s way of enterta ining

Sarah and Daniel? How does Sarah and Daniel’s understanding of the host-guest relationship influence their way of treatingChen Li and Wang Bing? What advice could you give to both couples to help them further their friendship?跨⽂化交际试题答案及评分标准

Section I: Language Appropriacy and Accuracy 1-30 points](45 points, 3 points each. )1. C2. D3. C4. B5. A6. C7. D8. D9. C 10. D

11. D 12. C 13. B 14. A 15. C

Section Il: Reading Comprehension 25points]Part 1. (15oints, 3points each. 0.5 point off for each

grammar/spelling mistake, but at most 1 point can be deducted for each item for the grammar/spelling mistakes. The exactwording is not required, but the meaning must be the same. )

16. In an Australian family the primary relationship is husband and wife, whereas in a Chinese family the basic relationship isbetween parents and children.

17. Children play an increasingly important role in deciding the matters in the family as they grow older.18. Because Chinese parents expect their children to devote their time to studies.

18. During their school years Australian children may work in the holidays and may work part-time during the terms.20. The passage discusses the differences between Chinese and Australian families in child-rearing.Part 2. (10oints, 2points each)21. F 22. T 23. F 24. T 25. F

Section Ⅲ’: Communication Analysis [30 points]Question 26.

Case 1 (7 points, 5 points for the analysis, 2 points for overall language quality. )1)In China, if somebody invites you to see a film, he will buy the ticket for you.2)In America, invitation is very common. And people are used to paying individually.3)Li Gang hasn’t got used to this yet. He thought that Peter would buy the ticket for him.Question 27.

Case 2 (10 points, 8 points for the analysis, 2 points for overall language quality. )1)In China, people are used to paying in cash, especially in daily life.2)Chinese people consume within their consumptive capability.

3)The Americans are used to paying in cheque or credit card. And they like consuming in advance. But the merchants preferto have cash.Question 28.

Case 3 (13 points, 11 points for the analysis, 2 points for overall language quality.)

Note: The words of the sample answer below are more than the required, for the purpose of providing enough reference.1)In China, it is traditional that hosts entertain guests by offering many courses of dishes to show their hospitality, and thenumber of courses served usually has the connotation of good luck, e. g.

the number ‘8’ sounds like 发, which means getting rieh. It is quite common, especially in cities, that the husband helps a lotin cooking and servlng food. Hosts treat guests, especially distinguished guests, very politely, and guests’ offer 0f help in thekitchen ;is normally Politely refused Besides, TV programs often play an important role in providing entertainment at formalfamily dinner parties. These Chinese conventions help explain the way Chen Li and Wang Bing en~ertained Sarah andDaniel.

2)In the West, hosts’ hospitality is not shown by the qual ity and quantity Of the food, but by offering their own specialty. Theyhope their guests Would like the food and enjoy their efforts. The hospitality is also shown by the hosts’ accompanying theguests and having a conversatio n with them. So both the host and hostess would’ ac company the guests to have dinnerand have a warm talk t0gether. Guests would not ask any private questions, such as the price of the furniture, etc. TheseWestern ‘conventions help explain the way Sarah a nd Daniel treated Chen Li and Wang Bing. Chen Li and Wang Bingfollowed the Chinese conversation habit, that’ S Why they asked about the prices, and often Chinese guests want to show

their cultivation and manners by eating limited amount of food, and this may explain Why Chen Li and Wang Bing ate only alittle food.

3) It is advisable for both couples to learn the other culture through experience, chatting, observing and reading. On suitableoccasions, e.g. at parties, friendly and interesting conversations about their respective cul tures, Such as ways of entertainingguests, normal conversation’ ‘topics and taboos etc, can be an effective way of understanding each other‘ Through suchinteractions; their friendship will surely be enhanced