Giao Thoa Văn Hóa EN14

 

GIAO THOA VĂN HÓA – EN14.019

 

 

 

Passage 1: Read the passages carefully, then choose the correct answer.

Traditions, saying, beliefs, language, and values are just a few things that make up our culture. Culture is the framework in which families are structured. It shapes our expectations and ideals. Culture plays a part in the meaning of marriage and our roles as husbands, wives, children and parents.

Understanding cultural differences and similarities related to marriage is important. Culture affects the roles that spouses take within marriages, the age at marriage and number of children a couple have, the meaning of divorce, cohabitation and non-marital childbearing, and the way parents raise children. Understanding how relationships and marriages vary across cultural contexts, and how they are similar, we will be able to identify the unique ways that marriages and family life affect people of various cultures. As a result, we will be able to help families and sustain happy marriages.

A cross cultural marriage or similar love relationship can be extremely exciting. The cultural background, visits to the other country, the language of the country and learning to speak it, the different habits and ways of doing and saying things that people from other cultures have, are all very exciting indeed. What are the disadvantages of a cross cultural marriage or love relationship with someone from another country or cultural background? No matter how much you love your husband or wife, no matter how high your level of cross cultural awareness, cross cultural communication and respect for differences, misunderstanding seems to be unavoidable.

1.     According to the passage, which of the following is not affected by culture.

a. Child-raising

b. The roles of spouses.

c. How much spouses love each other Câu trả lời đúng

d. The age to get married

2.     According to the writer, cross-cultural marriage

a. have both advantages and disadvantages Câu trả lời đúng

b. does not have advantages

c. does not exist through time .

d. does not have disadvantages

3.     In cross-cultural marriage, misunderstanding may happen.

 

4.     The passage is about

a. the effects of cultures on love and marriage

b. the definition of culture

c. the role of spouses in the family

d. cultural differences Câu trả lời đúng

 

5.     The word It (line 3) refers to

a. family

b. culture Câu trả lời đúng

c. structure

d. framework

 

Passage 2: Read the passages carefully, then choose the correct answer.

When people plan to marry, they expect to find in their partner not only a lover but a friend also. They find a person with whom they can share their opinions, their emotions, thoughts and fears. In marriage we are looking for a partner who will be able to understand our values, our likes and dislikes.

If a man and a woman are born and raised in the same country, most likely they are familiar with the same songs, movies, jokes, books and life in general. They basically have the same roots. In the case of a western man and foreign woman family everything is more complicated and requires much more patience and understanding from both spouses. On one hand each of the partners has an opportunity to learn a great deal about the other's country, culture, traditions and life styles which can be very interesting. On the other hand it can be very disappointing if there is the inability to understand your partner's excitements and frustrations. For example, you are watching the television and suddenly you see a famous actor or singer, or other type of an artist whose name you have grown up with. Maybe this artist was an idol for your parents and the music of this artist was often played in your house when you were a child. Unfortunately you realize that your wife is unable to understand your feelings because she has no idea who this artist is. Her eyes are absolutely empty because she has never even heard the song before. You feel rather disappointed! Remember that your wife has the same situation with you. You do not know her country's songs, her country's famous actors, her books. She has her own memories and in actuality, for her, everything is much more difficult than it is for you. At least, you live in your own country where everybody can understand you. She lives in completely strange surroundings, where she has nobody to share her feelings with, except you.

Do some research and learn about your wife's country, culture and lifestyles. Talk with her, ask her questions, get to know what songs she likes, what movies and books are of interest to her. The Internet will give you a great opportunity to find anything! Tell her about your country's culture, let her listen to the music that you like, rent a movie for her that left you with great impression. Let her understand you better through the things that you like. Patience and time will help you to fight cultural differences.

1.     A spouse should ………...

a. not interfere with what the partner's likes and dislikes

b. not share the feelings with the partner

c. be not only a lover but also a friend Câu trả lời đúng

d. let the partner to do everything alone

2.     According to the passage,

a. Spouses who have the same nationality need more patience and understanding in their marriage than those who are from different cultures.

b. Spouses who are from different cultures can never share anything together.

c. Spouses who have the same roots go not share anything together.

d. Spouses who are from different cultures need more patience and understanding in their marriage than those who have the same roots. Câu trả lời đúng

3.     If there is the inability to understand a spouse's excitements and frustrations the marriage, he or she may feel

a. disappointed Câu trả lời đúng

b. hopeless

c. faithful

d. happy

4.     The passage is

a. apologetic

b. critical

c. advisory Câu trả lời đúng

d. convincing

5.     To overcome cultural differences in marriage needs

a. time and money

b. movies and music .

c. patience and time Câu trả lời đúng

d. books and the Internet

 

Passage 3: Read the passages carefully, then choose the best option

Greetings in all languages have the same purpose: to establish contact with another person, to recognize his or her existence and to show friendliness. The formulas for greeting are very specific and usually do not carry any literal meaning people say “ Good morning “even if it is a miserable day and may reply to “How are you?” with “Fine, thanks” even if they aren’t feeling well.

Closings, like greetings are commonly used to exchange with no literal meaning. People who are leaving each other permanently or for a long time shake hands or embrace, depending on the relationship. If you are in an unfamiliar situation and wonder what to do, watch other people or ask.

It is interesting, and sometimes very important to learn about the standards of courtesy in different cultural areas of the world so that we can practice them well and avoid awkwardness in case we get a chance to visit a person or a community of unfamiliar social customs.

1.     According to the passage, what should you do when you are in an unfamiliar situation ?

a. Use formulas you know.

b. Wonder what you should do

c. Ask your friends for help.

d. Observe what other people do Câu trả lơi đúng

2.     In what way are closings similar to greeting?

a. They have no literal meaning Câu trả lời đúng

b. They are common.

c. They are familiar

d. They are exchanges

 

3.     Which of the following is a benefit of learning about the standards of courtesy in a different cultural area?

a. You can avoid meeting with a community of unfamiliar social customs.

b. You can practice meeting with people from different cultural areas

c. You can have a chance to visit a community of unfamiliar social customs

d. You can act  comfortably when you have a chance to visit the community Câu trả lời đúng

 

4.     Which of the following is a characteristic of the formulas for greeting?

a. specific Câu trả lời đúng

b. usual

c. common

d. literal

5.     Which of the following is NOT mentioned in the passage as a purpose of greetings?

a. To show that you are willing to be his or her friend.

b. To show that you recognize his or her present

c. To create contact with the person being gre

d. To show that you admire him or her. Câu trả lơi đúng

 

Passage 5: Read the passages carefully, then choose the correct answer.

If you invite an American friend to join you to have dinner in a restaurant, phone the restaurant first to find out if you need a reservation to avoid a long wait for table. To make a reservation, just give your name, the number of people in your group, and the time you plan to arrive. When you invite someone to have dinner, you should be prepared to pay the bill and reach for it when it arrives. However, if your companion insists on playing his or her share, do not get into argument about it. Some people prefer to pay their own way so that they do not feel indebted, and those feelings should be respected. In most American restaurants, the waiter or waitress's tip is not added to the bill. If the service was adequate, it is customary to leave a tip equal to about 15% of the bill. In expensive restaurants, leave a bit more.

1.     If your companion insists on paying his share,

a. It will be impolite.

b. you should get into argument with him

c. Do not agree.

d. you should let him pay as he expects. Câu trả lời đúng.

2.     In most American restaurants,

a. the tip is added to the bill. .

b. the tip is about 15% of the bill Câu trả lời đúng

c. you should not give the tip to waiters or waitresses.

d. Waiters and waitresses never get the tip.

3.     The next day,

a. invite the host to your house

b. say nothing to the host

c. remember to thank to host for the dinner Câu trả lời đúng

d. You shoudn’t say thank you .

4.     To make a reservation, you

a. just give your name, the time you arrive and your telephone number.

b. have to give your address, the time you arrive and how many persons there are in your group.

c. just give your name, the time you arrive and how many persons there are in your group. Câu trả lời đúng

d. just give your name, the time you arrive and your address.

5.     When you come to someone’s house for dinner,

a. bring a lot of gifts

b. You should never offer any gift

c. do not care about gifts

d. bring some flowers, candy or something made in your native country. Câu trả lời đúng

6.     When you invite someone to have dinner, you

 a. Only the speaker let him to pay himself.

b. share the bill with him

c. should prepare to pay the bill. Câu trả lời đúng

d. give the bill to him

7.     When you invite an American friend to have dinner in a restaurant

a. a reservation is not necessary

b. You always have to wait for a long time..

c. you should make a reservation Câu trả lời đúng

d. there are always many tables available for you

8.     Which sentence is NOT true?

a. you should not overstay

b. You should not make someone notice that you do not like the food..

c. You should not compliment the cook on the food Câu trả lời đúng

d. you should not leave immediately after dinner

 

Passage 6: Read the passages carefully, then choose the correct answer.

If you are invited to an American friend’s home for dinner, remember these general rules for polite behaviour. First of all, arrive approximately on time but not early. Americans expect promptness. It will be all right to be 10 or 15 minutes late, but not 45 minutes late. When you are invited to someone’s home for meal, it is polite to bring a small gift. Flowers and candy are always appropriate. If you have something attractive made in your country, your host or hostess will certainly enjoy receiving that gift. What will you do if you are served some food that you cannot eat or you do not like? Do not make a fuss about it. Simply eat what you can and hope that no one noticed it. Be sure to compliment the cook on the food that you are enjoying. Do not leave immediately after dinner, but do not over-stay your welcome, either. The next day, call or write a thank- you note to say how much you enjoyed the evening.

1.     If there is some food that you cannot eat

a. make a fuss about it

b. do not eat anything

c. do not make a fuss about it Câu trả lời đúng

d. ask the host to cook you another dish

 

2.     If you are invited to American friend’s home

a. you should be late at least 45 minutes

b. you should go late a bit

c. politeness is not necessary

d. Punctuality  is  appreciated Câu trả lời đúng

3.     The next day,

a. invite the host to your house

b. say nothing to the host

c. remember to thank to host for the dinner Câu trả lời đúng

d. You shoudn’t say thank you .

4.     Which sentence is NOT true?

a. You should not make someone notice that you do not like the food..

b. you should not overstay

c. You should not compliment the cook on the food Câu trả lời đúng

d. you should not leave immediately after dinner

 

Passage 7: Read the passages carefully and choose the best option

Body postures and movements are frequently indicators of self-confidence, energy, fatigue, or status. Cognitively, gestures operate to clarify, contradict, or replace verbal messages. Gestures also serve an important function with regard to regulating the flow of conversation. For example, if a student is talking about something in front of the class, single nods of the head from the teacher will likely cause that student to continue and perhaps more elaborate. Postures as well as gestures are used to indicate attitudes, status, affective moods, approval, deception, warmth, arid other variables related to conversation interaction.

The saying "A picture is worth a thousand words" well describes the meaning of facial expressions. Facial appearance - including wrinkles, muscle tone, skin coloration, and eye color-offers enduring cues that reveille information about age, sex, race, ethnic origin, and status.

A less permanent second set of facial cues-including length of hair, hairstyle, cleanliness, and facial hair-relate to an individual's idea of beauty. A third group of facial markers are momentary expressions that signal that cause changes in the forehead, eyebrows, eyelids, cheeks, nose, lips, and chin, such as raising the eyebrows, wrinkling the brow, curling the lip.

Some facial expressions are readily visible, while others are fleeting. Both types can positively or negatively reinforce the spoken words and convey cues concerning emotions and attitudes.

 

1.     A nod of the head from the teacher will likely ask his student to ……. what he is saying.

a. Throw away

b. go on Câu trả lời đúng

c. put off

d.give up

2.     According to the writer, "A picture is worth a thousand words" means

a. facial gestures can convey a lot of meanings

b. a  picture of a face is more valuable than a thousand words

c. a picture is more important than a thousand words Câu trả lời đúng

d. he has just bought a picture with a thousand words on it

 

3.     Facial expressions

a. can be either visible or fleeting  Câu trả lời đúng

b. cannot reinforce spoken words

c. cannot convey emotions

d. can only express negative attitudes

 

4.     Gestures ………..

a. may interrupt the flow of a conversation

b. can end a conversation more quickly than usual

c. can clarify the meaning of verbal messages.Câu trả lời đúng

d. can do nothing with a conversation

 

5.     How many categories of facial expressions are mentioned?

a. 5

b. 3 Câu trả lời đúng

c. 4

d. 2

 

Passage 9: Read the passages carefully and choose the best option

In the past, both men and women were expected to be married at quite young ages. Marriages were generally arranged by parents and family, with their children having little chance to say no in the matter. In the past it was not surprising to find that a bride and groom had only just met on the day of their engagement or marriage.

In modern Vietnam, this has changed completely as people choose their own marriage-partners based on love, and in consideration primarily to their own needs and wants. Moreover early marriage is quite illegal.

The traditional Vietnamese wedding is one of the most important of traditional Vietnamese occasions. Regardless of westernization, many of the age-old customs practiced in a traditional Vietnamese wedding continue to be celebrated by both Vietnamese in Vietnam and overseas, often combining both western and eastern elements. Besides the wedding ceremony, there is also an engagement ceremony which takes place usually half a year or so before the wedding. Due to the spiritual nature of the occasion, the date and time of the marriage ceremony are decided in advance by a fortune teller. The traditional Vietnamese wedding consists of an extensive array of ceremonies: the first is the ceremony to ask permission to receive the bride, the second is the procession to receive the bride (along with the ancestor ceremony at her house), the third is to bring the bride to the groom's house for another ancestor ceremony and to welcome her into the family, then the last is a wedding banquet. The number of guests in attendance at these banquets is huge, usually in the hundreds. Several special dishes are served. Guests are expected to bring gifts, often money, which the groom and bride at one point in the banquet will go from table to table collecting.

1.     In former days, the fact that a bride and groom had only first met just on the day of their engagement or marriage was……

a. popular Câu trả lời đúng

b. strange

c. uncommon

d. surprising.

 

2.     Which does not exist in a Vietnamese wedding party?

a.guests

b. dishes

c. firecrackers Câu trả lời đúng

d. gifts

 

3.     According to the passage, ………..

a. Many of the age-old customs practiced in a traditional Vietnamese wedding do not exist nowadays

b. Vietnamese people never ask a fortune teller the date and time of the marriage ceremony

c. There is an engagement ceremony which takes place  usually half a year or so before the wedding Câu trả lời đúng

d. Oversea Vietnamese people do not like to organize a traditional wedding.

 

Passage 12: Read the passages carefully and choose the best option

In many modern countries, people think of a family as a mother, a father and their children. But this is not the only kind of the family group. In some parts of the world, a family group has many other members. This kind of large family is called an "extended family" or a "joint family".

The joint family includes all living relatives on either the mother's or the father's side of the family. It is made up of grandparents, parents, brothers, sisters, uncles, aunts, and cousins. They live together in a large house or in huts built close together.

Early people probably lived in joint families. They had to be part of a large group in order to survive. The members of the group helped each other hunt. They worked together to protect themselves from dangerous animals and other enemies.

In China, people lived in joint families. When a son married, he and his wife lived at his parents' home. Unmarried daughters remained at home until they married. Chinese children felt very loyal to their parents. Younger members of the joint families always took care of the old ones.

In India and Africa, some people still live in joint families. The members of a joint family share their earnings and property. If one member of the group becomes ill or has bad luck, the others help the person. As in the past, the members of the joint family offer each other help and protection.

 

4.     According to the passage, people who live in joint families often

a. remain at home until they married

b. share their good or bad luck

c. feel very loyal to their parents

d. take care of one another Câu trả lời đúng  

 

5.     Long time ago, members of joint families

a. lived separately in order to survive

b. found it difficult to live together

c. helped each other catch animals Câu trả lời đúng

d. did not live together

 

6.     The phrase "is made up of” in paragraph 2 could be best replaced by

a. includes

b. compensates

c. forms

d. consists Câu trả lời đúng

 

7.     This passage as a whole tells us about joint families

 

 Passage 14: Read the following passages and choose the best option

The American education system requires that students complete 12 years of primary and secondary education prior to attending university or college. This may be accomplished either at public or government-operated schools, or at private schools. These 12 years of schooling or their equivalent may also be completed outside the USA, thus giving foreign students the opportunity to pursue the benefits of the American education system and obtain a quality American education. Perhaps one of the most impressive facts is that a large number of presidents, prime ministers and leaders from other countries have experienced the American education system and graduated from a university or school in the USA. In many fields and industries, the American education system offers the most cutting-edge, sought-after programs at the world's best schools. That is why graduating from an accredited American school and being exposed to the rigors of the American education system is an investment in your future.

Whether you want to study at a top USA university, a top USA college, a vocational or high school, a thorough understanding of how the American education system works is essential. Without a clear grasp of the American education system, an international student will find it difficult to make the right academic choices. It is no surprise that the American education system and the American school system host more international students than any other country in the world!

1.     According to the text, students in the USA

a. are made to take primary and secondary education in the country

b. spend less than 12 years for primary and secondary education

c. do not necessarily take primary and secondary education in the country Câu trả lời đúng

d. needn't take primary and secondary education

 

2.     The expression government-operated could best be replaced by

a. vocational

b. independent

c. boarding

d. state Câu trả lời đúng

The writer appreciates the US education.

3.     What is the writer's advice?

a. International students should not study at a top USA university, a top USA college, a vocational or high school.

b. International students should have a thorough understanding of how the American education system works before going there to study Câu trả lời đúng

c. Without a clear grasp of the American education system, an international student can make the right academic choices

d. International students should not invest their future education in the US..

4.     Which is true? Many leaders all over the world have studied in the US.

 

Bài tập điền từ vào chỗ trống

Fill in each numbered blank with one suitable word

In summary, for most visitors, the Japanese are (1)  complex and difficult to understand. The graceful act of (2) bowing, is the traditional greeting. However, they have also adopted the western custom of shaking hands, but with a light grip. Meanwhile, to (3) show respect for their customs, it would flatter them to offer a slight bow when being introduced. (4) avoid hugging and kissing when greeting. It is considered rude to stare. Prolonged direct eye contact is considered to be (5) impolite or even intimidating. It is rude to stand with your hand or hands in your pockets, especially when greeting someone (6) or when addressing a group of people. The seemingly simple act of exchanging business cards is more complex in Japan (7) because the business card represents not only one's identity but also his (8) status in life. Yours should be printed in your own language and in Japanese. The Japanese are not a touch-oriented society; so avoid open displays of affection, touching or any prolonged (9) form trả lời đúng of body contact. Queues are generally respected; especially in crowded train and subway stations (10) where the huge volume of people causes touching and pushing.

 

Fill in each numbered blank with one suitable word or phrase.

The most dominant and reliable features of facial expressions provide a constant channel of communication. They can be shifty and evasive; convey hate, fear, and guilt; or (1) express confidence, love, and support.

Referred to as "mirrors of the soul" our eyes serve as the major decisive factor in (2) interpreting the spoken words. The eyes of the man converse as (3) much as their tongues, with the advantage that the ocular dialect needs (4) no dictionary, but it is understood all over the world. When the eyes say one thing, and the tongue another, a practiced man relies on eyes. Except (5) for extremely shy individuals, most people look for social acceptance by studying the eyes of others. Eyes also can (6) accurately indicate a positive or a negative relationship. People tend to look longer and more often at the people whom they trust, respect and care about than at those whom they doubt or (7) dislike. Normal eye dilation is not under control of the individual. Personally characteristics such as introversion and extroversion also influence eye behavior. Eye behavior seems (8) to be particular importance and is generally used to indicate whether one is open to communication. This can be observed when a teacher asks the class a question: students who think they know the answer will generally (9) look at the teacher, (10) while students who do not know the answer will usually try to avoid eye contact.

 

Read the passages below carefully, then choose the best option

In many cultures, people think that (1) love  and marriage together – like bread and wine or meat and (2)  Potatoes  They think that love is a necessary foundation for (3) marriage  and that you should love the person you marry before you get married. In other (4) cultures , however a man and a woman may not even know each other before their wedding day. Romantic love is not bequeathed to marriage in these cultures. These people expect that love will develop (5) after  the wedding if the marriage is a good one. Your views on love and marriage come from your culture.