Comprehension Test (TEAC/TMIE) Module 2

A. Before reading the text, answer the following question in about 40 words. B. What do you like learning when it comes to learning English? Do you like learning more about English grammar, vocabulary or culture? Why? Read the text carefully: Cultural differences and language barriersThe world is full of different cultures and languages, even within each country. A good example is The United States where there are many different people from around the world that speak so many different languages. This raises an important question: How can people who come from distinct cultures communicate effectively? You see, our culture makes us see, hear and interpret the world we live in a particular way. Thus, it is easy to understand that these various cultural interpretations can lead to serious misinterpretation and confusion.In some cultures, people are very emotional and outgoing, while in others, they tend to be much more reserved and low profile. What makes people react so differently in the same situations? Once again the answer is culture. Cultures tend to differ due to religious beliefs, educational systems, government, history and a whole lot of other things. The only way that we can minimise or avoid conflict between cultures is if we make a conscious effort to respect and understand each other.But conflict can also arise from people speaking the same language. The latter is far more subtle and tricky to control, but can be just as serious. For example, a native speaker of a language might speak really quickly and confuse a foreign speaker who is making a big effort to communicate effectively in the language. The result will not only be stressful but may also easily provoke a terribly confusing or embarrassing situation or even an ugly argument.To make things even more confusing there is the problem of body language. For example, in some cultures it is polite to look straight into someone’s eyes when speaking to them. In others, this is considered to be intimidating and so is best avoided!So, the real question is how can we avoid all this? Well, if this is to be avoided, then each party needs to learn about different cultures as well as to respect them and to be more tolerant and aware of them. C. What do these words refer to? where The USA others cultures who foreign speaker them different cultures D. Re-read the 1st and 2nd paragraphs and find evidence in the text for the following statements. a. Some countries have different languages and cultures.b. Different cultures give you different views of the world.c. There is a wide range of factors which contribute to cultural differences.d. Being aware of the cultural differences and respecting them can help avoid unpleasant situations. E. Now re-read the rest of the text and complete the following sentences accordingly. a. Despite two people speaking the same languageb. A simple word can be interpreted differently due toc. You can only minimise cultural conflict ifd. Body language is Use the following words : visiting common learning communicatingteaching understand cultural translate In the past people 1. learning a new language didn’t pay much attention to the cultural aspects of the country in question. Nowadays, however, it is much more 2. common for language courses to specifically look at the 3. cultural aspects of a given country when 4. teaching the language. This is especially important when it comes to 5. communicating in the business world and it can also make things easier for tourists 6. visiting a foreign country. The fact is that it is no longer good enough to learn a language and then simply to 7. translate what is being said directly – it’s also important to 8. understand the cultural aspects of a language before we can communicate efficiently with others. E. What do these words refer to? where The USA others cultures who foreign speaker them different cultures