英语测试理论与实践期末AC部分整理

Chapter 1 Section A1. Why is Elle Woods considered diverse by Harvard Law School? And why is Elle Woods admitted by Harvard Law School ? What can we learn from it about American culture?Elle Woods is considered diverse by Harvard Law School because she 's a fashion major and her practices out of class are quite different from other students, who are usually politics, history or philosophy majors. Elle Woods was admitted by Harvard Law School mainly because they are looking for diverse students like Elle. From it, we can learn that American educational system encourages the development of individuality.Furthermore, we can also realize that culture shapes people's discourse and behaviors, which influences the communication between people.2. Discuss in groups the strengths and weaknesses of the American and Chinese education systems. Present your ideas to the whole class after your discussion.American education system emphasize that students should be diverse and take part in a lot of social practice, which contributes to the all-round development of students. However, American students usually lose in the competition with Chinese students because they don 't highlight the test skills. By contrast, Chinese education is a exam-oriented education, which put the exam at first. Therefore, Chinese students are often good at exam but lack experience of social practice and don 't know how to communicate with strangers.3. Why do Chinese and Americans develop different education systems? What are the cultural factors underlying the differences?The cultural difference generates the different education system between America and China. American culture is characteristic of opening and highlights social practice while Chinese culture is rigorous and highlights the role of parents and teachers. In this sense, students should respect for and obey their command and pay all attention to exam in terms of fierce competition.Section C1. Why did Zhao say America is a good place, but it 's too dull '? What can we learn about Chinese culture?When his son went to work, Zhao was quite lonely and didn 't have any friends. This kind of life was much different from his farming life in China, where he had many friends and neighbors around, talking, drinking tea and playing mabjong together during the leisure time. Chinese culture isa group-oriented culture, where people would like to interact with each other.2. Why did most Chinese families decide to grow vegetables instead of flowers on their land? What can we learn about Chinese culture?Chinese people are very diligent and thrifty. For them, it is wasteful to use land to raise flowers. Chinese culture which is characteristic of collectivism is a guideline that shapes Chinese behaviors.3. Culture is often compared to the software ' of people ' mind. Cite the examples in this case to explain the sentence.When Zhao was in American, he was very lonely and had no friend. That summer was the happiest time for him because he could communicate with his friends. From this example, we can learn that culture governs people's mind and determines whether they are happy or not.Another example is the choice of Chinese families to grow vegetables. From it, we can learn that culture governs people's behavior and provides guidelines for what to do and what not to do.Chapter 2Section A1.In the movie, Jonathan wants to get Sara's phone number, but their process of communication fails. What elements go wrong in this process?When Sara gives her phone number to Jonathan, the paper is blown into a trash. Jonathan takes it as an accident, but Sara regards it as a sign of fate, which is telling her not to develop their relationship. Their different outlook to life causes the breakdown of the process of communication. 2.In the movie, how many things does Sara do in order to test fate? And what are they? What do you think of these behaviors?Three things. The first one is that Sara asks Jonathan to write down his phone number on a $5 bill and spends the bill in a little grocery store. The second one is that she promises to write down her number inside a book and sell it to a used bookstore. The third one is that she asks Jonathan to get into a hotel with her and proposes that she and Jonathan pick the same floor in the lift randomly. I think Sara believes in fate and regard the fate as the foundation of feelings.3.A famous anthropologist once said that Culture is communication and communication is culture. ' Do you agree? Why or why not?Yes. Because people in different cultures have different contexts, which influence how they communicate. In this case, Sara with a belief of fate can 't communicate with Jonathan not believing fate very well. Furthermore communication may be culture, because people often communicate with each other will have the same interest, habits and beliefs, which create the new culture.Section C1. What the mode of communication favored by Asians? What cultural values underlie it?Asian people are very courteous and indirect in the communication. Because they emphasize group harmony, they ere tolerant when they are offended. These collectivism values, shaped by Confucian teachings, were spread from China to many Asian countries.2. What is the mode of communication favored by Westerners? What cultural values underlie it?Westerners are direct and frank in the communication. And they have s strong sense of protecting their own rights. Individualism values are the principles guiding their behaviors.3. 同上面3 Chapter 3 Section A1.In the hearing, why does Xu Datong invite John to be his lawyer although John is not familiar with family law? What can you learn from it about Chinese culture?Xu Datong invited John to be his lawyer because John was his best friend. In his opinion, Chinese usually ask their intimate relationship for help to solve some intractable problems as this kind of relationship will make more effort to help you. Hence, we know that China is a collectivism society and Chinese people usually emphasize interdependence and collectiverelations.2. Why doesn 't John defend Xu Datong in the hearing? What can we learn from this about Chinese culture?From the photos, John spontaneously considered that Dennis was abused by his father, which was illegal in America. That's why John rejected to defend Xu Datong. From it, we can see that in America, people are attached importance to the truth and law rather than to the interpersonal relationship, which is the most obvious characteristic of an individualism society and is different froma collectivism society.3. Why does Xu Datong tell the judge he performed Guasha on Dennis? What can we learn from this about Chinese culture?On Chinese' view, the young man is the brace of a family and he should be responsible for the whole family. Although Dennis' injury was created by his grandfather in fact, Xu Datong realized that he should shoulder the responsibility according to Chinese traditional culture.4. Who shall we ask for help when we get into legal troubles, our relatives and friends or a lawyer?I would like to ask the lawyers for help when I get into legal troubles.On the one hand, lawyers understand the laws and regulations and they know how to use laws to debate while your friends or relations who are willing to help you are possibly not familiar to laws. In fact, lawyers are useful in dealing with legal troubles than your friends and relatives. On the other hand, the fact and evidence are more emphasized in modern society. When the justice judged the legal cases and make the verdicts, they will notice the evidence and truth rather than persons.Section C1. Could you understand why Mile called the police? What can we learn about American culture and Chinese culture?Mike called the police because his grandmother beat him which was forbidden in America. In China, 'beating' is a regular and popular way to educate children. It is a common sense. 'Beating' can date back to ancient Chinese education when the teachers gave serious punishment to students doing something wrong. In America, 'beating' is forbidden and illegal. Parents always use mild methods such as persuasion or suggestion to educate their children.Meanwhile American children realize their right to protect themselves, which is influenced by freedom and equality propagated by The Declaration of the Rights of Man and of the Citizens.2. Why couldn 't Xue Suling carry out her original plan of Chinese language teaching? What can we learn Learning about American culture and Chinese culture?Chinese is very difficult, especially in speaking and writing.It must have an environment of Chinese language and substantial practices.However, Mike and Xue Suling didn't have these conditions. In China, children ' s learning is manipulated by the teachers and parents and perhaps monitored for the whole day. In America, children should learn how to be independent of their parents from the moment they are born. They arrange their own studies.Therefore, Xue Suling can't carry out her original plan. From it, we could realize that American highlight individual rights, which is the same as other individualism countries and areas.Chapter 4Section AI. Discuss the image of the whale as a symbol of nature, and Captain Ahab 's attitude towards it.The whale is a symbol of the nature, is a concrete embodiment of the powerful nature. Nature is rich and generous, it is a treasure for humans, providing humans with food and clothes. If losing it, humans will die. Nature is also stingy, it never gives something to humans on its own initiative, humans rely on plundering（掠夺）it to get what they want. Captain Ahab is the representative of human. He is a person with strength and perseverance as well as craziness, selfish and arrogance. He fights against the whale parallel to the behavior that people conquer the nature. For him ,the mission is holy and historic. In fact, human are confused a question whether the nature is friend or enemy, but the conflict between human and nature is inevitable.Section C1. What can we learn about Mexican culture from the reward system of PAMEX?From this case, we learn that the Mexican culture is reserved and group-oriented. It highlights the group harmony and interpersonal relationships.2. What can we learn about American culture from the reward system USAHP?The American culture is more individualistic, result-oriented and analytic.3. How do you explain the phenomenon in this case, applying the theory of the relationship between humans? What cultural differences caused the resistance of the local staff in PAMEX after the acquisition?Because of the radically cultural differences between the American management and the Mexican staff, it was a challenge for the American management to accept for the Mexican staff and pay attention to the fundamental values in human relationship under Mexican circumstances.4.If you were one of the managers from USAHP, concerning the local culture, what measures will you take to promote the motivation of the original staff in PAMEX?If I was one of the managers from USAHP, I would like to respect and promote the culture and philosophy of the original staff in PAMEX. With the merge and acquisition, the culture clash became increasingly obvious. If the company wanted to manage the PAMEX and its employees, it should observe the original cultures. It should glorify and support that PAMEX promoted, rewarded and retained employees based on their loyalty to the firm and to their immediate supervisors, and on interpersonal connections. Approving the cultures and customs of the original staff in PAMEX, they would be promoted to work hard and contribute to the company USAHP.Chapter 5Section C1. What can we learn from the first case? Use Hofstede 's Uncertainty avoidance ' dimensionto explain your answer.Uncertainty avoidance ' indicates how much a society feels threatened by ambiguous situations and tries to avoid them by providing rules, believing in absolute truths, and refusing to tolerate deviance. Some cultures, such as Greece, Portugal, Belgium, Japan and Spain are averse to the unknown. Such cultures emphasize uniformity and dislike deviance. Such cultures may be rather emotional in the process of gathering information. Foreign teachers need detailed instructions. They hope to reduce the ambiguity in their expectations for the working in China. Thus they turn to Chinese officials to tell them exactly their responsibility, rights, the regulations, the available facilities, the accommodations. Such information helps reduce the anxiety.2.If you are in America, what will you do to get a book you need? What can we learn from this case? Use Hofstede 's individualism-collectivism ' dimension to explain your answer.According to Hofstede 's research, collectivist cultures tend to be Asian and Latin American, while the individualistic cultures are North American and European. Collectivist cultures emphasize common interest, cooperation, conformity and inter-dependence. They have tight social framework, where people help each other. The in-group includes one 's family, relatives, acquaintances, friends, classmates and colleagues. In individualistic cultures, people highlight their own needs. They emphasize more I' than we'. Thus, if an American wants to borrow a book from another library, he would directly consult the staff working at the library to see whether the library is available to him. Then, he will inquire the procedures for obtaining books from that library. He will not ask his friends for help. In China, however, one would first try to find someone he knows to help him.3. What does friend ' mean to Chinese? What does friend ' mean to Americans?According to Hofstede 's research, America ranked No.1 in individualism worldwide. Americans respect other privacy and maintain certain distance. Even friends should try not to be very demanding. If friends ask for help, they should make their requests reasonable. While Chinese belong to community, so friends have a closer relationship. One encountering some troubles, wants his friend to help him. In China, friends are the people that one can depend on and trust.Chapter 6 Section A1. Why is the meaning of I like your sweater ' very clear in the West?In the West, the meaning of the sentence I like your sweater ' is very clear because of the low-context style of communication, in which most of the information in the communication is transmitted in the verbal speech.2. Why is the meaning of I like your sweater ' very clear In Asian societies?In Asian societies, the meaning of the I like your sweater ' is not clear because of thehigh-context style of communication, in which people may transmit a large amount information in the context rather than in verbal speech.3. What are the differences between Chinese and Western culture? What are the differences between Chinese and Western language?Chinese culture is a typical high-context culture in which people 's communication isindirect and tentative. Sometimes they don 't really mean what they say simply. Western culture is a low-context culture in which people 's communication is direct and frank. For example, if a westerner say that he likes the painting, he only express an appreciation while Chinese may mean he wants to have one.Section C1. Did my daughter really mean it when she refused her Filipino classmate 's offer? What can we learn about the culture? Use Hall 's culture context model to illustrate it.No, she didn 't really mean it. She wanted to have a hamburger very much. She refuse her classmate's offer just because she was Chinese. She knew the hamburger was quite expensive, so she didn 't want to ask a favor of her classmate. If she had done so, she would have thought she had taken financial advantage of her classmate. Chinese culture is a typical high-context culture in which people 's communication is indirect and tentative. Sometimesthey don 't really mean what they say simply.2. What makes the Filipino girl consider the invitation as genuine? What can wen learn about her culture? Use Hall 's culture context model to illustrate it.Generally, westerners consider an invitation as genuine if it makes a definite time, place and activity. In this case, all three criteria were very clear, so the Filipino girl considered the invitation as genuine, and very happy to accept it. She didn 't know her Chinese classmate extended the offer just out of courtesy. For people of low-context cultures, who adopt the direct and frank communication, they must pay attention to discerning the real intentions of those of high-context cultures.Chapter 7Section A1. Why Eliza was so bad in spite of her successful performance at the party.Eliza got better education performed well in order to lure Higgins who was her teacher and whoshe liked and expect his concern. However, Higgins ignored exhausted Eliza, only boasted to his friends and celebrated the success, which made Eliza frustrated. Furthermore, Eliza didn't get ready for the success and was confused about the future.Section C1. Do you think it is necessary to rename the dragon as Chinese symbol? Why?I think it is necessary to rename the dragon as Chinese symbol since the misunderstanding of the Chinese ancient totem 'dragon' has influenced the spread of Chinese culture. For Chinese view, dragon equivalent to emperor symbolizes royal and majesty which receive respect and honor. In western opinion, dragon represents a fearsome, threatening animal. If we want to make westerners have much knowledge of Chinese culture and the ancient totems especially dragon, a symbol for honesty, good fortune, and happiness in the minds of Chinese people, we are supposed to eliminate their prejudice and misunderstanding firstly. Therefore, renaming the dragon is an urgent affair and vital campaign which is associated with the China' s rebuilding the cultural system all over the world.2. Do other animals inspire different associations in China and Western countries?Peacock also inspires different associations in China and Western countries. Chinese believe that the peacock is a symbol of auspicious festival, so people often describe the peacock as beautiful people or things. For example, the ancient Chinese have a love story"the peacock flies to southeast". The dancer Dao Meilan is famous for dancing "peacock dance", and is known as "peacock princess". Yang Liping dances a performance called the spirit of "sparrow" beautifully, which is full of praise.Ancient oracle character "Phoenix" has a bunch of beautiful pappus, a long and beautiful tail behind. The overall graphic is a picture of the peacock pictographic drawing completely. The peacock in China since ancient times is regarded as a kind of beauty, auspicious bird.Nevertheless the peacock in the western value has a reverse implication.Westerners believe that the peacock is strutting when walking defiantly and often shows off its beauty by its tail, which is considered as 'proud' and 'vanity' in the west. So the peacock in the west has a derogatory sense. The second explanation of the 'peacock' in American Heritage Dictionary is a megalomania person given to self - display. For example, she strutted like a peacock, looking down her nose at everyone which demonstrates the woman was pride.Chapter 8 Section A 1.Is different social status the obstacle of true love or marriage?The different social status is the obstacle of true love and marriage. People with different status have different education and different kinds of friends. They have different communications,which create different value and outlook on life. At the same time, they have different interests and habits. If two people have many differences above, they will have controversy and disparity, which lead to disharmonious marriage. Section C1. Can you explain why Joe said, While in China, I sometimes felt like a prisoner? 'Because the itinerary arranged by Hong and her department without consulting with Joe was so tight that he had no free time to explore the city and the surrounding area on his own.2. Can you tell the differences between Chinese hospitality and American hospitality?Chinese hospitality features that the host should arrange everything well for the visitor. In the story, Hong and the chair of her department met Joe at the airport, put him up in a nice hotel, arranged a big dinner for him for the evening and gave him the itinerary for the next few days. In fact, Hongspent much time making sure Joe's visit would go smoothly. Similarly, if the visitor comes to China for the first time, Chinese always devise all of the itinerary and require the visitor to complete the visit according to the itinerary. Furthermore, Chinese make these plans which leave no time for the visitor to conduct independently without inquiring the visitor. As the conclusion, the visitor who from other areas especially from western countries would feel grateful for everything at the beginning but annoyed and deprived because of the tight itinerary later.However, westerners prefer to suggest and inquire rather than to make the plans directly. If the visitor needs a guide, they are grateful and honored. Surely, they will ask what you like to go and when you want to get cracking on going there. On the contrary, if you want to enjoy a trip independently, they will respect you and merely suggest someinteresting and worthwhile resorts, which makes you feel more relaxed. In brief, Chinese hospitality is enthusiastic but semi-compulsory while American hospitality is more appropriate and relaxing. Chapter 9 Section C1.2. Why did the same advertisement succeed in France but fail in Saudi Arabia? Why did the adapted version of the advertisement succeed?Each culture has different understanding of touching. Americans, the English, Germans and Northern Europeans belong to low-touch cultures while Hispanics, people of Eastern European, Italians, the French, Arabs, and Jews are high-touch cultures. Whether considered to be high-or low-touch, defines for its members whom they can touch, as well as when and where they can cannot touch. For example, although the French and Arabs are considered high-touch cultures, the French culture permits a mutual directional touching between men and women while in Arabian cultures, the male do it much more than the female. In France, women touching men frequently is proper, but in Arab it seems that the female is too aggressive which gives a negative impression to the male. In the adapted version, the touching was reduced and neutralized. As a result, the picture in the ads implies that the man is so irresistible that the lady can 't help getting close to him in spite of her awareness ofthe cultural rule.3. What do you learn from Drakkar Noir 's story?If we want a advertisement to be success in a nation, we should know about the nation 's culture. People raised in different culture would have different viewpoints,which decide whether your advertisement would lure consumers in the nation. In this case, the former advertisement failed because it didn 't follow the nation 's culture, especially theunderstanding of touching. Therefore, it didn 't lure consumers. However, after it investigatedthe culture and changed the picture, it succeeded.Chapter 10Section A1.The Indian and American concepts of Time ' reflected in this movie?Americans regard time as a commodity, something to be used, bought, wasted, saved or spent. So they attach much importance to the efficiency of using time and like a fast pace of life. In India, relationship is far more important than schedules and efficiency. People live in a slower and relaxed way. In this movie, Todd is sent to India to get its MPI down from 15 minutes per call to 6. Todd thinks it is not realistic, and his fellow he meet in MacDonnell 'ssays No way in India. ' By contrast, Puro, the Indian charger, regards an MPI of 12 is already satisfactory.Another point is that Americans are very specific about time, which is different from how Indians treat it. In this movie, Todd argues with Dave about the target MPI:should it be 6.0 or something between 6.0 and 6.59. However, when Todd asks Puro when the glass of his office will arrive, Puro says It's coming soon. ' In fact, it finally comes three weeks later. Section C1.2. What's your opinion of the Director 's behavior? How would you explain Katherine 's feeling to the Director?This case is about the culture difference in two different time system namely Monochronic Time and Polychronic Time. The Director follows a Polychronic culture which schedules several activities at the same time. He often breaks the appointments and is more subjected to interruptions. So it is natural for him to keep talking with a Chinese teacher when it is already five minutes past his appointment time with Katherine, and later tolerate interruptions during his talk with her. By contrast, Katherine follows a Monochronic Time system which schedules only one activity at one time, is very specific about the time and efficiency. In this sense, she could not cope with the Director 's conversation with others,especially in Chinese, during her appointment time. Although the Director has realized that his behavior may not seem polite to Katherine and even apologizes to her, his apology doesn't compensate for her frustration.Chapter 11 Section A 1.How would you solve Martha 's problem if you were Alex?I would communicate with my father firstly and ask him whether he can change his schedule. If he rejects, I would inquire Martha if she could change her time. If she doesn 't agree, I would consider redecorate the house and divide the house into two spaces or borrow much money from bank to buy a new larger house.Section C1.2. How would you react to Wang Liang 's behavior? Why did Wolfgang get angry?This case is about the cultural differences in the understanding of personal space. Some cultures do not give private, personal space high consideration. Sometimes, fifty Africans can crowd into the same amount of space that holds only twenty North Americans. The reason is that Africans ' sense of personal space suffers no intrusion from crowding and touching. In this sense, Wang Liang, comes from Chinese culture, is not as sensitive about personal space as is his German colleague. He tends to respect for the physical boundaries of personal territory, but pays little attention to less visible invasion. In this sense, he never realize s that his behavior may be regarded as rude. By contrast, Wolfgang 's culture is more sensitive to privacy. The boundary of his personal territory can extend to personal items. Therefore, when he found Wang Liang was reading the newspaper without his permission, he felt an invasion of his private personal space.Chapter 13Section A1.What would you do if you were Viktor at such difficult time?If I was Viktor, I would learn English at first, because it is a tool to communicate and get information, which is important for him in a strange country. Secondly, I would attempt to find a long-time job in order to survive. Thirdly, I would make friends in the country and often communicate with。