跨文化交际试题A卷标准答案

（答案要注明各个要点的评分标准）
I. For each problem in this part, you are presented with one situation with four
utterances underneath. Read the description on each situation with the utterances and decide which is/are the appropriate utterance(s) in that situation where communication is done in
II. Explain the underlined idioms in the following sentences (13 points).
1. It‟s not surprising the guy couldn‟t get to first base with his new business: he started with two strikes against him.
To be difficult for somebody to succeed.
2. Let‟s put this plan to the acid test by looking at the nuts and bolts of the deal.
"Let's put it to the acid test" means let's check if the plan is good or not by testing it really hard. "Looking at the nuts and bolts" means looking at all the detail. Someone has a big idea, but he must at some time "get down to the nuts and bolts.
3. If we stop beating our heads against a brick wall, we would not appear to be such wimps. "Beating our heads against a brick wall" means “trying and trying when it is clear there will be no chance of success”.
4. We need to be careful that the tail doesn‟t wag th e dog. the small details do not change the big decision
5. Do not listen to John, he‟s got an ax to grind.
“ To get an ax to grind” means “to have something hidden to get one ‟s own personal interests”. 6. She‟s not the least bit funny , in fact she‟s laid an egg.
“To lay an egg” means “to “make a mistake”
7. John dropped the ball on this one, and he‟s sure ticked off.
"Ticked off" means “annoyed”
8. If you think we are on the same wavelength just give me a buzz, or we can play it by ear.
"On the same wave-length" means “ thinking the same thing”. “Give me a buzz” means “give me a ring. "Play it by ear" means “do not plan what people do, just let things happen as they may”.
9. We need to stop dilly-dallying and get off the dime.
"dilly-dallying" mean s “wasting time”. "get off the dime" means“must start moving forward”.
10. After his release from prison he decided he should walk the straight and narrow.
“To walk the straight and narrow” means “To behave lawfully”.
III. Find some unsuitable writing in the memorandum and rewrite them according to the intercultural communication strategies you learned. (27 points).
Answer:
Memo 1
To: Jackson Pallock, Internal Auditor
From: Mabelline Y urich, Sales Supervisor of Cosmetics
Subject: Response to Request for New Life Cosmetics Sales Records
Date: 18 February, 1995
In reference to your request for last quarter‟s sales records for our line of New Life Cosmetics, I am unable to give them to you by March 12 as you requested.
According to Section 6 of our policy manual (copy attached), “only the vice president for sales may release classified4 sales records internally or externally.”Cosmetics sales records are classified. The vice president for sales, Jack Peterson, is vacationing and cannot be reached until he returns to work March 17. Jack‟s assistant, Ms Mary Smith, told me that the records that you are desirous of can be sent immediately in toto if Jack approves their release when he returns next Thursday. She asked me to tell you that unfortunately we must hold your request in abeyance until he returns.
I am sorry this happened, Mr Pallock. If you need information on manhours spent on sales, I can fill the bill now. Otherwise we will meet your request in due time if it is approved. Y ou‟ll still have time to complete your audit by March 30, though.
Better writing
To: Jackson Pollock, Internal Auditor
From: Mabelline Y urich, Sales Supervisor of Cosmetics
Subject: Response to Request for New Life Cosmetics Sales Records
Date: 18 February, 1995
I have reviewed your request to see last quarter‟s New Life Cosmetics sales records by March 12 with Mary Smith, the assistant to the vice president of sales, Jack Peterson.
Mary and I checked Section 6 of our policy manual and confirmed that Jack must give permission to release any classified records either internally or externally. All cosmetics sales records are classified. Jack is vacationing in Tibet and cannot be reached until he returns to work on March 17. Mary said that these records are complete and can be sent to you on March 17, if Jack approves.
Should you need any unclassified cosmetics records to help you complete your audit by March 30,
I can send them to you now. Records such as those of staff hours spent on selling cosmetics are unclassified. Call me at Extension 7165 to tell me what else you need, if anything.
Memo 2
To: Donna Crenshaw, Account Executive
From: Ernest Smithson, Account Supervisor
Subject: Response to Request for a Change in the V acation Schedule
Date: January 17
Y our trip to Paris sounds exciting. Many people are taking such trips, you want to switch your vacation to June 16 to 30 from May 1 to 15 so you can take the trip. But five people already chose that date. Only five people may vacation at one time.
I checked with everyone in the department. Nobody is willing to change.
I already checked with Mr Jones to see if he can let you go anyway. He said no.
Y ou may switch to another two-week period. Y our parents might change their plans. However, keep your choice between May 16 and August 30. Also, do not choose August 1 to 15. I must know about any change by March 1, the deadline for setting vacation dates.
Better Writing：
To: Donna Crenshaw, Account Executive
From: Ernest Smithson, Account Supervisor
Subject: Response to request for a Change in the V acation Schedule
Date: January 17
Y our choice to vacation in Paris this summer with your parents does sound exciting. They were thoughtful to invite you to join them.
As we discussed when you chose your vacation dates, only five people in the department may vacation during any two-week period. When I received your request to change your vacation from May 1 to 15 to June 16 to 30, I checked to see how many people are scheduled for vacation then. The roster showed that five people requested June 16 to 30.
Next, I asked each of these five people if any of them will make a change. Having planned their vacations completely, all of them declined. Then, I asked Mr Jones if we might make an exception and let you go anyway. He declined, saying that we must meet the two thirds staffing requirement all summer to serve our customers adequately.
Y ou may reschedule your vacation for another two-week period if that will help. Perhaps your parents can reschedule their vacation so this plan can work.. Any other two-week period between May 16 and August 30 is acceptable except August 1 to 15, when five people are scheduled already. If you do wish to make a change, please tell me before March 1, the deadline for setting vacation dates.
Memo 3
To: Mark Johnson, Salesperson
From: Maria Cillias, Controller
Date: 23 December, 1995
As per your request, we are processing your request for reimbursement of travel expenses for your December 2 to 5 trip to Denver. Y our attention is called to two items for which you are seeking reimbursement: tolls and taxicab fares. Y ou listed tolls totaling7 $10.50 and taxicab fares totaling $27.50 on the response form. but neglected to enclose receipts for these expenses. Company rules require that receipts be attached to the form for all expenses for which you seek reimbursement except meals and tips.
To facilitate reimbursement of your travel expenses, will you kindly advise us whether you can furnish these receipts. When you comply with this constraint, we will reimburse you without further delay.
Better Writing：
To: Mark Johnson, Salesperson
From: Maria Cillias, Controller
Subject: Reimbursement for Travel Expenses
Date: 23 December, 1995
Y our request for reimbursement of travel expenses for your December 2 to 5 trip to Denver is now being processed. In reviewing the form you submitted for reimbursement, we noted that you listed tolls and taxicab fares for which no receipts were attached. Company procedures require that receipts be submitted for all refunded expenses except meals and tips. Will you please send us the receipts for .$10.50 in tolls and $27.50 in taxicab fares. Then, we can send you a check for $56.35, the full amount3 of your request.
We will issue your reimbursement check within two days of receiving the receipts.
IV. D ecide whether statements 1-10 are T rue or False according to the information you have
VI．Reading Comprehension (10 points)
Read passage 1 and then answer the questions after the passage briefly. Write your answers on the Answer Sheet.
1.What are the four main categories of distance for Americans?
Intimate, Personal, Social, Public
2.In America, how far apart should people who work together stand when communicating with each other?
1.3m –
2.00m
3.At the international reception, why were Americans trying to adjust the distance between themselves and their Arab partners?
Because of a different understanding between Americans and Arabs as to what is an appropriate distance between business partners.
4.Why did the Arabs feel that the Americans were being …stand-offish‟?
The Arabs wanted to stand close to, and even touch, their America business partners, but for the Americans such closeness is inappropriate in a business relationship.
5. Why do young British people touch their friends more than older British people do?
Because physical contact between people is much more common now than it was in the past.
Read Passage 2 and then decide whether statements 1-5 are T rue or False according to the information given in the passage. Write “T" for true and“F”for false on the Answer Sheet. Passage 2
VII. Case Analysis（15 points）
Answer：
Case 1 (7 points)
Question：Why did Lin feel surprised? Offer some advice to him about adjusting to his new environment in America. (7 points)
1) On the topic of hospitality，the Chinese stress is on warmth and demonstrating friendship．They take the guest to a famous or luxurious restaurant to have a very good (expensive) meal to show their hospitality．And the Chinese are used to having a big meal. The more dishes they put out，the greater the warmth and friendship they show.(2 points) 2) In western countries，people stress on freedom．They give the guest great freedom to
choose their own foods．And westerners tend to have only one main course and some juice or dessert，which is viewed as casual in the eyes of the Chinese．[Note ! If the student answers that Western people have only three courses，this is also correct!( 2 points)
3) Lin lived in American surroundings and should have adjusted himself quickly to the new world (1ifestyle)．He should have known the custom there first，and felt more at ease in Mike‟s home．( 3 points)
Case 2 (8 points)
Question：Why did Zhang T ao feel uneasy?
In China，when people host someone，they put the guest in the place of honor to show hospitality．They try to take care of the guest，and try to make the guest feel comfortable and at ease．( 2 points)
2)In America，people tend to give the guest great freedom and treat a guest more casually，naturally and truthfully. ( 2 points)
3)Zhang Tao knew he was a guest，and thought in terms of Chinese expectations of hospitality．He thought Bill should treat him courteously instead of setting rules for him. ( 2 points)
4)Since Zhang Tao lived in American surroundings，he should have known about the customs there sooner．( 2 points)。