English Language · General Awareness

Language and Cross-Cultural Communication

2,161 Questions

Cross cultural communication explores how people interact across different languages and cultures. It covers barriers to immersion, non native academic challenges, and tourism promotion. These concepts are useful for general english and awareness sections in various competitive exams.

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Language and Cross-Cultural Communication Questions

Multiple choice

Translating voice into text is a capability known as

  1. speech recognition

  2. voice recognition

  3. voice minimizing

  4. both (1) and (2)
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
D Correct answer
Explanation

Speech recognition and voice recognition are terms used to describe the technology that converts spoken words into digital text. While they can have technical distinctions in security contexts, they are generally used to describe the same input process in consumer computing. Therefore, both terms are commonly accepted in this context.

Multiple choice

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.

  1. Natives comprise a very high proportion of the educated population in some countries.

  2. English is the medium of instruction in many eastern countries.

  3. In a large number of countries English education is not just limited to a few city schools.

  4. People traveling from non-English speaking countries rely on personal contact with natives.

  5. Reading, writing and speaking English is a practice introduced at the primary level.

Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
C Correct answer
Explanation

(1) Incorrect. The option uses a generic 'education', instead of use of English as a medium of education and communication. 'Some countries' also makes the option restrictive. (2) Incorrect. 'Many eastern countries' makes the option very restrictive. (3) Correct. The conclusion is that English has become very popular in many parts of the world. English cannot be called a world language if its education is limited to only a few city schools in most countries, and only a small fraction of the local people is conversant with the language. It follows that schools across the world are using/ teaching English as a language. (4) Incorrect. The argument states that there is no difficulty in communicating in English. It doesn't say whether travelers rely on personal contacts (as against interpreters). (5) Incorrect. It cannot be stated with certainty. English language might be getting introduced in schools at varying levels across the world.

Multiple choice

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.

  1. buy drugs from one another with ease

  2. get to know one another better

  3. pass for Americans

  4. conceal their nationalities
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
A Correct answer
Explanation

Easily disposed.

Multiple choice

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.

  1. By stimulating use of abbreviation

  2. By denying access to new generation

  3. By ringing the death knell for original English

  4. By evolving a new form devoid of grammatical décor and spelling check.
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
D Correct answer
Explanation

Lines 4 - 5: “This reformed English has done away with all spellings and grammatical fundamentals.”

Multiple choice

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.

  1. Knowledge of a foreign language

  2. Memorizing skills

  3. Mathematical skills

  4. Ability to understand another culture
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
A Correct answer
Explanation

At the same time, the student of a foreign language is acquiring a useful tool.

Multiple choice

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.

  1. the ability to speak another language

  2. expanding the mind to acquire new knowledge and skills

  3. the ability to learn other subjects quickly

  4. the ability to teach the language
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
B Correct answer
Explanation

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.

Multiple choice writing a paragraph writing english

Identify the appropriate topic sentence:

An American woman may, for example, put on a kimono, a Japanese word. Americans living in warmer climates may take an afternoon siesta on an outdoor patio without realizing that these words have Spanish origins. They may enjoy the fragrance of jasmine flowers, a word introduced to the English language from Persia. They may blissfully be unaware that the chaise longue on which they relax and the glass of vodka they have in hand, are words of French and Russian origin respectively.

  1. There are many foreign words in the English language.

  2. Although the majority of Americans may not be aware of it, several features of their culture and language have come from other cultures.

  3. Americans are unaware of many things.

  4. Americans should learn new languages.
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
B Correct answer
Explanation

The appropriate topic sentence is Option B. A topic sentence depicts the overall idea of the paragraph in brief and this option suits the format where the unawareness of the Americans about foreign influences in their culture and language has been depicted. Options A, C and D are incorrect as they do not fulfill the purpose of a topic sentence, the information is incomplete and they would make inappropriate topic sentences.

Multiple choice writing a paragraph writing english

Select a suitable topic sentence for the following topic:

Studying a foreign language

  1. However, we often overlook the importance of learning new languages.

  2. There are numerous benefits to studying a foreign language.

  3. Many factors influence students to learn a foreign language.

  4. There are a few, significant challenges to learning a foreign language.
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
C Correct answer
Explanation

Every paragraph should include a topic sentence that identifies the main idea of the paragraph. A topic sentence also states the point the writer wishes to make about that subject. Since the topic is generalised and there can be multiple approaches to it, we can focus on any of the aspects in B, C, and D. Option A starts with a contradictory sentence, hence, incorrect. 

Multiple choice introduction to punctuation punctuation english

Technical accuracy of language means

  1. Simplicity

  2. Correctness of grammar, spelling, and punctuation

  3. Active voice

  4. Correct alignment
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
B Correct answer
Explanation
The correctness of grammar, spelling and punctuation is essential for the formation of an accurate sentence. Thus, the correct answer is Option B.
The other remaining options are incorrect, as simplicity, active voice or correct alignment does not lead to technical accuracy of language. 
Multiple choice commerce nature and scope of foreign trade characteristics, necessity, importance, advantages and disadvantages of foreign trade importance, scope and benefits of international trade trading and economic organisations

Which of the following conveys the difficulty of diversity of language in international trade? 

  1. Different languages are spoken and written in different countries of the world.

  2. All correspondence has to be done in foreign language.

  3. Price lists and catalogues are prepared in foreign languages.

  4. All of the above
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
D Correct answer
Explanation

Trade requires communication, which can give rise to language barriers. Language-intensive tasks that are essential to trade include researching foreign markets, adapting and marketing products to foreign consumers, and communication and contracting between importing and exporting firms.

Multiple choice summary writing english

Choose the option that best summarizes the following:
The International Center is hosting Spanish Conversation classes. They help non-native speakers of Spanish practice their Spanish speaking skills.

  1. The International Center is hosting Spanish Conversation classes to help non-native speakers practice their Spanish speaking skills.

  2. The International Center is hosting Spanish Conversation classes which will help non-native Spanish speakers practice their Spanish speaking skills.

  3. Spanish non-native speakers can improve by taking classes at the International Center.

  4. Spanish non-native speakers can improve their Spanish by taking classes at the International Center.
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
D Correct answer
Explanation

The correct summary to the given sentence is Option D. Summarizing involves retaining the main idea of the given sentence with minimum use of words. Options A and B are incorrect as the sentences are too long to be called a summary, as the summarized sentence is expected to be one third or half of the main sentence. Option C is incorrect as the idea remains incomplete because what classes are being hosted isn't mentioned.

Multiple choice

Which of the following is a challenge that can arise when communicating health information to people from different linguistic backgrounds?

  1. Language barriers

  2. Cultural differences

  3. Health literacy disparities

  4. All of the above
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
D Correct answer
Explanation

All of the above options are challenges that can arise when communicating health information to people from different linguistic backgrounds.