Reading 12 g -Informative text

What is the main purpose of this text?

• To argue that one culture's communication style is better than another's.

• To explain how cultural differences in communication can cause misunderstandings and how to reduce them.

• To teach readers how to speak a foreign language.

• To compare European and Asian cultures in detail.

What is the overall tone of this text?

• critical and pessimistic.

• Informative and hopeful.

• EmotionalCEmotional and personal.

• HumorousDHumorous and light-hearted.

According to the text, what is the key difference between high-context and low-context cultures?

• High-context cultures speak louder; low-context cultures speak more quietly.

• High-context cultures communicate indirectly; low-context cultures prefer direct, explicit messages.

• High-context cultures use only body language; low-context cultures use only words.

• High-context cultures are more modern; low-context cultures are more traditional.

A person from Germany finds their Egyptian colleague's indirect answers confusing. According to the text, why does this happen?

• The Egyptian colleague is being dishonest.

• They are applying their own low-context communication norms to a high-context style.

  They

• GermansCGermans are not able to understand other cultures.

• TheDThe Egyptian colleague speaks a different dialect of Arabic.

The word "inevitable" in paragraph 5 is closest in meaning to

• Certain to happen; unable to be prevented.

• 
  Easy to solve with the right information.

• impossible

• 
  Interesting and worth discussing.

In paragraph 3, the author says "neither reaction is wrong." What does this tell us about the author's perspective on cultural misunderstandings?

• The author believes cultural misunderstandings are always harmful.
• The author thinks all cultures are exactly the same.

• The author believes no one should try to change their communication style.

• The author takes a balanced view, showing that misunderstandings come from different norms, not bad intentions.

According to the text, what is the FIRST step to avoiding cultural misunderstandings?

• Learning the language of the other person's culture.

• Awareness—recognizing that your own communication style is not universal.

• Travelling to as many countries as possible.

• Asking a researcher to help you understand cultural differences.

The text says effective cross-cultural communication requires "curiosity, humility, and willingness to adapt." Do you agree? Which of these three do you think is most important, and why?

Choose one example from the text (eye contact, personal space, or indirect speech) and explain how it could cause a misunderstanding in a workplace setting.