Language and Cross-Cultural Communication

In usage of English as a medium of instruction, the student fails to convey his ideas exactly because

Directions: Read the following passage carefully and answer the given question:

In the past, learning English as a separate subject seemed relatively easy. The textbook selected and graded items of language, which were put into context and then practiced intensively. New items were carefully controlled so that the student could cope quite easily. Now that English is used as a medium of instruction, however, all this has changed. Unknown items of grammar and vocabulary appear in texts which attempt to explain new and often difficult information. Difficulties as regards the language interact with difficulties as regards the subject matter. The student's reading in his own subject slows down, and his comprehension becomes less secure. He expresses himself slowly and often fails to convey his ideas exactly. He is disappointed to find that under pressure he makes a lot of unnecessary mistakes in areas where he knows the correct language forms. His social relations are difficult as he cannot find the right phrase quickly enough to keep a conversation going. So his language often betrays him into dullness, coldness, or worst of all, rudeness. Instead of the student being in control of the language, the language seems now to be in control of the student.
All this can be very depressing and the student can start to feel anxious. Working in a foreign language is also very tiring, and the concentration and self-­discipline required to correct one's mistake is very great indeed.

Unknown items of grammar and vocabulary, which appear in texts, attempt to

Directions: Read the following passage carefully and answer the given question:

In the past, learning English as a separate subject seemed relatively easy. The textbook selected and graded items of language, which were put into context and then practiced intensively. New items were carefully controlled so that the student could cope quite easily. Now that English is used as a medium of instruction, however, all this has changed. Unknown items of grammar and vocabulary appear in texts which attempt to explain new and often difficult information. Difficulties as regards the language interact with difficulties as regards the subject matter. The student's reading in his own subject slows down, and his comprehension becomes less secure. He expresses himself slowly and often fails to convey his ideas exactly. He is disappointed to find that under pressure he makes a lot of unnecessary mistakes in areas where he knows the correct language forms. His social relations are difficult as he cannot find the right phrase quickly enough to keep a conversation going. So his language often betrays him into dullness, coldness, or worst of all, rudeness. Instead of the student being in control of the language, the language seems now to be in control of the student.
All this can be very depressing and the student can start to feel anxious. Working in a foreign language is also very tiring, and the concentration and self-­discipline required to correct one's mistake is very great indeed.

In learning English as a subject, new items in the language are controlled so that

Directions: Read the following passage carefully and answer the given question:

In the past, learning English as a separate subject seemed relatively easy. The textbook selected and graded items of language, which were put into context and then practiced intensively. New items were carefully controlled so that the student could cope quite easily. Now that English is used as a medium of instruction, however, all this has changed. Unknown items of grammar and vocabulary appear in texts which attempt to explain new and often difficult information. Difficulties as regards the language interact with difficulties as regards the subject matter. The student's reading in his own subject slows down, and his comprehension becomes less secure. He expresses himself slowly and often fails to convey his ideas exactly. He is disappointed to find that under pressure he makes a lot of unnecessary mistakes in areas where he knows the correct language forms. His social relations are difficult as he cannot find the right phrase quickly enough to keep a conversation going. So his language often betrays him into dullness, coldness, or worst of all, rudeness. Instead of the student being in control of the language, the language seems now to be in control of the student.
All this can be very depressing and the student can start to feel anxious. Working in a foreign language is also very tiring, and the concentration and self-­discipline required to correct one's mistake is very great indeed.

The student's language use often betrays him to dullness or coldness because

Directions: Read the following passage carefully and answer the given question:

In the past, learning English as a separate subject seemed relatively easy. The textbook selected and graded items of language, which were put into context and then practiced intensively. New items were carefully controlled so that the student could cope quite easily. Now that English is used as a medium of instruction, however, all this has changed. Unknown items of grammar and vocabulary appear in texts which attempt to explain new and often difficult information. Difficulties as regards the language interact with difficulties as regards the subject matter. The student's reading in his own subject slows down, and his comprehension becomes less secure. He expresses himself slowly and often fails to convey his ideas exactly. He is disappointed to find that under pressure he makes a lot of unnecessary mistakes in areas where he knows the correct language forms. His social relations are difficult as he cannot find the right phrase quickly enough to keep a conversation going. So his language often betrays him into dullness, coldness, or worst of all, rudeness. Instead of the student being in control of the language, the language seems now to be in control of the student.
All this can be very depressing and the student can start to feel anxious. Working in a foreign language is also very tiring, and the concentration and self-­discipline required to correct one's mistake is very great indeed.

According to the passage, the main reward for a foreign language learner is

Directions: Read the following passage carefully and answer the given question:

An appropriate title of the article from which the above passage is taken could be

Directions: Read the following passage carefully and answer the given question:

Which of the following is most logically being conveyed by the argument above?

Directions: Answer the question based on the following passage.

English has become the Lingua Franca of the world. The countries where English was once considered to be a difficult language now promote it as the medium of education, thus adding to its acceptance all over the world. Earlier, on trips to various countries for work or pleasure, one would find it difficult to communicate with the natives. Now if you know how to read, write and speak English, you can travel to any part of the world and have no trouble talking to the local people.

The international nature of their vocabulary, helps drug addicts to

Directions: Read the following passage and answer the question.

Drug addicts in some countries form small groups, the customs of which may be unknown to outsiders. They often speak a language that is so full of expression and words created by themselves, that their speech has become unintelligible to those who are not living, or in some way associated, with them. It is amazing to find that, to understand some of today’s so-called pop music, one requires some acquaintance with the peculiar language, of those enslaved to drugs. A great part of the vocabulary is international with a preponderance of American terms or, corruptions of these. This makes it easy for those in search of drugs in a country, not their own, to communicate with those that have some to dispose.

How has the new evolved 'instant communication' (line 6) hampered the original English? (Passage 1)

Answer the questions based on the following passage.
 
Passage 1

            ‘CU ltr’ If you are able to decipher this you will probably
            read ‘see you later’ in simple English. The growing trend of
            text messaging on our emails and cell communications has
            rung death knell for pure English. This reformed English has
(5)        done away with all spellings and grammatical fundamentals.
            The racing world wants instant communication which this
            new reformed English caters to and the whole world has
            lapped it up.
            We can hardly visualize the visages of rectified spellings,
(10)      adorning punctuation or polished grammar in our
            communication messages. This amended look of English
            has taken the instant chatter boxes within its stride. People
            have lost any regard for commas, full stops, and sentence
            or word formation. The verbal pronunciation of words has
(15)      been modified along with the sentence which seems to be
            interpreted in ‘Morse code’. This short cut communication is
            easy for the new zazzy genre but it’s difficult for the oldies to
            decode because it seems to be Latin or Greek for them.
            The slangs like plz, b’coz, axxident are difficult to associate
(20)      with. This informal non standard vocabulary comprising
            typically of coinages, arbitrarily changed words and extravagant
            and facetious figures of speech is not acceptable to the
            masters of English. Probably they feel this is the distortion of
            piousness of the subject. The well-read people don’t feel
(25)      elated if they have to use this short hand language, as they
            are comfortable with the originality of the language. But
            people with minimal English writing or verbal skills feel this
            to be a vital transition. Their motive is to pass their message
            irrespective of grammatical décor. They feel indulgence in
(30)      grammar checks as a waste of time. They ridicule the ones
            who try to be careful. The respectable English has lost its
            facet in the deal. The escapists who write English devoid
            of all ornamentation want to pass off their typing errors
            unnoticed by saying: this is the new English. These champions
(35)      of free style English smartly outdo the real English masters
            as outdated, because they are short of knowledge in slangs.
            It’s true that spoken English is less formal and free of
            grammatical check than one used in written correspondence
            but it should not outdo the originality of the language. The
(40)      conventions, softness and systematic style of the language
            should not be laxed. This growing trend should be
            immediately controlled otherwise the resumes would soon
            be peppered with this S.M.S language too. So, abbreviative
            style should no more hamper someone’s creativity in writing
(45)      skills.

Passage 2

            The British rule benefited Indians in only one way that the
            Indians got a sound intro to the most prestigious language
            of the world ‘English’. Many Indians today have mastered it
            and won international acclaim for their creative literature.
(5)        Globally, writers like ‘Arundhati Roy’ sold hundreds of
            thousands of copies of her book. English has intensified the
            prestige of many Indians like Shekhar Kapur. His English film
            ‘Elizabeth’ got many Oscar nominations.
            English has helped us interact with foreigners during our
(10)      commercial transactions. Our ambassadors, business
            entrepreneurs, trade managers, all have attained proficiency
            in this language and earned repute in their field of work.
            English, being the primary for all international communication,
            has become too vital for inter state commerce.
 (15)     Even the people across the country who were tied with their
            regional languages and felt short of words to interact with
            their countrymen have triumphed English and have
            enhanced their communication ability. Parliament too has
            acknowledged English as the official language, along with
(20)      Hindi our national language. Every institution insists on
            polishing it as one does one’s mother tongue.
            The will to learn English today is nurtured from the primary
            classes itself. There has been an outburst of demand to set
            up English medium schools in remote areas also. A language
(25)      is deterred if it poses threat to a regional language but not
            so with English. Indian languages are dwelling in their own
            domains as many use them for communication. English is
            like a historical legacy or increment to our own languages.
            English can open our door to the world as we can interact
(30)      with the people globally if we have a command on English.
            We are able to merge with the rest of the world.
            English is the medium which can broaden our horizons of
            knowledge and experience. Our view point can be put forth
            to the foreigners and we can confidently debate our point of
(35)      view. Many Indian spiritual gurus have foreign followers
            because with English they have expressed their ideas which
            have won many a foreign heart. Our culture and spirituality
            which earlier remained in bounds has gained an international
            identity.
(40)      Spoken English is not restricted to accent and pronunciation.
            It is mainly based on sharing experiences. So despite various
            verbal styles the originality stands. Though verbal speech
           differs globally, the standard written style is uniform.

Directions: Choose the correct option to answer the following question.

Which of the following is referred to by the term 'tool'?

Reading Passage: Foreign Language
Directions: Read the passage carefully:
The learning of a foreign language should be an integral part of every university student's education.  As a discipline, it affords the mind excellent training. It utilizes skills needed in so many other subjects: the concentration required for memorizing music (not to mention developing the ear for tone and pitch). The logical thinking for resolving mathematical problems, even the deductive reasoning capabilities needed to comprehend philosophical concepts.  The mind is stretched through the simple act of teaming the grammatical patterns, vocabulary and phonological system of a language. At the same time, the student of a foreign language is acquiring a useful tool. This tool has a double advantage, for while most people (especially teachers) expound on the rewards of being able to communicate in a second, third or fourth language, perhaps the more promising of the two, is being able to understand and hopefully appreciate another cultural group through their literature, their music and customs all of which are best assimilated through the medium of their language.

Directions: Choose the correct option to answer the following question.

According to the passage, the main reward for a foreign language learner is ______.

Reading Passage: Foreign Language
Directions: Read the passage carefully:
The learning of a foreign language should be an integral part of every university student's education.  As a discipline, it affords the mind excellent training. It utilizes skills needed in so many other subjects: the concentration required for memorizing music (not to mention developing the ear for tone and pitch). The logical thinking for resolving mathematical problems, even the deductive reasoning capabilities needed to comprehend philosophical concepts.  The mind is stretched through the simple act of teaming the grammatical patterns, vocabulary and phonological system of a language. At the same time, the student of a foreign language is acquiring a useful tool. This tool has a double advantage, for while most people (especially teachers) expound on the rewards of being able to communicate in a second, third or fourth language, perhaps the more promising of the two, is being able to understand and hopefully appreciate another cultural group through their literature, their music and customs all of which are best assimilated through the medium of their language.