CHƯƠNG IV: CÁC CÂU HỎI TRẮC NGHIỆM

Chapter 1: What is Cross-Cultural communication?

1. The study of cross-cultural communication is influenced by anthropology
linguistics, philosophy and __________.
A. diversity B. psychology C. politics
2. The key influences are the study of semiotics, the study of __________ and the
relationship between language and thought.
A. signs B. culture C. relationship
3. Culture can be divided into implicit and explicit __________.
A. culture B. assumption C. reality
4. The basic __________ to cross-cultural communication are ethnocentrism,
ignorance, fear and laziness.
A. styles B. reality C. obstacles
5. Perception is reality – it is selective and __________. We should check our
perceptions about what others say and do and realize our own perceptions tend to
be rooted in our value systems.
A. optional B. culture-rooted C. culture- driven
6. Our cross-cultural __________ is influenced by our own individual personality,
our national characteristics, our corporate culture and our professional training.
A. effectiveness B. skill C. relationship
7. We can reduce the barriers to effective cross-cultural communication by
developing our __________ to help us avoid jumping to conclusions when we
only ‘hear’ words rather than their intrinsic meaning.
A. speaking skills B. listening skill C. reading skills
8. We can perhaps best summarize by formulating __________ basic rules to help us
understand the importance of cross-cultural communication
A. Three B. four C. five
9. We should accept responsibility for our feelings and __________ when dealing
with people from other cultures.
 A. responses B. reactions C. behaviors
10. Implicit culture describes __________ culture factors such as assumptions, values
and attitudes toward authority, communication pattern and so on
A. invisible B. visible C. explicit
 Chapter 2: Developing Cross-Cultural Communication Skills
1. Communication provides one of the biggest __________ in cross-cultural
dealings, as we are faced with differences between cultures not only in terms of
what we say but also in the communication media we use as well as in our
behavior and body language.
A. advantages B. difficulties C. pitfalls
2. One of the keys to successful development of cross-cultural communication skills
is to show __________ by developing both effective active and passive listening
skills.
A. empathy B. feelings C. recognitions
3. The widespread use of electric means of communication has the advantages of
speed, __________ and immediacy, but there still remains the need for a more
personal approach in cultures where personal relationships are considered to be
important.
A. easiness B. brevity C. promptness
4. The EU UNEC project was designed to identify ways of improving cross-cultural
communication by developing the appropriate ways of avoiding __________ and
potential conflict.
A. understanding B. mistake C. error
5. In cross-cultural communication, one should always be careful to ensure that
__________ clues are appropriate to the culture.
A. verbal B. active C. non-verbal
6. People convey __________ in non-verbal communication (NVC) through their
posture, gestures, eye contact, the physical distance they keep when
communicating and how they dress.
A. emotions B. meaning C. feelings
7. Gestures include any action that sends a visual signal to others. They are often
described as “__________ with the hands”.
A. working B. feeling C. talking
8. The use and meaning of eye contact, for example, looking at people directly while
you are speaking to them or not, __________ between cultures.
A. varies B. looks C. grows
9. In Asia, Africa and Latin America, as well as the Middle East, respect for
__________ and seniority is important. For example, a Westerner delivering a
presentation with his or her sleeves rolled up and no jacket may be seen as
disrespectful to an audience expecting more formal attire.
A. tradition B. hierarchy C. age
10. __________ is often the key to successful business relationships, and the
conversation around the water-cooler, the formal banquet and the coffee break are
all opportunities to get to know people personally.
A. diversity B. negotiation C. networking
 Chapter 3: The Effect of Culture on International Negotiations
1. International negotiators need to attempt to establish __________ relationships
before negotiations begin and appreciate the importance of building mutual trust.
A. business B. personal C. individual
2. The British culture is still mainly masculine in most professions, although women
do reach high positions in some sectors, for example, education, health care,
fashion and social services. Legally women in business have equal opportunities,
but there is still a ‘__________ ceiling’ as a barrier to advancement in some
professions.
A. hard B. high C. glass
3. Those preparing for international negotiations should carry out a cultural
__________ (a form of cultural audit of the other cultures involved in negotiating)
in order to help increase one’s options.
A. review B. assessment C. development
4. Such an audit is useful in __________ potential areas of conflict or cultural
misunderstanding and helps build up a picture of likely behavior and reactions.
A. solving B. highlighting C. developing
5. Multiculturalism requires that all cultures should be open, self-critical and
__________ in their relations with each other. Multi- ethnicity does not simply
mean multiculturalism, but it relies on multiculturalism to keep its vibrancy.
A. independent B. confident C. interactive
6. International negotiators need to prepare well __________and study the culture
and history of the other nationality.
A. in advance B. first C. last
7. A word of caution is necessary when attempting to comment on the key
characteristics of the negotiation style of different cultures. As the world becomes
increasingly globalized, interdependent and interconnected, there is inevitably a
degree of cultural __________.
A. convergence B. diversity C. conflict
8. As a result, these characteristics will modify and we must be careful not to ascribe
__________ values to individual cultures.
A. individual B. stereotypical C. personal
9. The use of __________ as an ‘ice-breaker’, particularly at the beginning of
negotiations, can often be useful.
A. interaction B. culture C. humor
10. Passive listening is as important as active listening. It can show how we feel about
what we are listening to, displaying such __________ ranging from pleasure and
agreement to boredom or even hostility.
A. emotions B. understandings C. differences
Chapter 4: Multiculturalism and Diversity
1. The debate about __________ is likely to continue as there is no one model which
can be applied universally.
A. multiculturalism B. diversity C. negotiation
2. The often conflicting demands of multicultural policy are difficult to reconcile.
The aim to create a sense of unity among people of different cultures also needs to
protect the __________between the various cultural groups within a country.
A. similarities B. differences C. diversity
3. Ethnic minorities must believe that their cultures are __________ and that their
people can succeed in society.
A. affected B. respected C. motivated
4. It is important to establish a set of values, hopes and aspirations to which all
cultural groups in a society should subscribe, embracing freedom of speech and
association, tolerance and respect for different religions and __________ of
opportunity in both social and public life.
A. difference B. change C. equality
5. This may well require educational programs designed to improve language skills
in the main of national language, as well as programs to cover institutions and
values of the society in which __________ wish to become citizens.
A. minorities B. immigrants C. people
6. There are advantages and disadvantages of immigration, in particular the
advantages of cultural __________, including increased skills, new idea and
creativity and the disadvantages of pressure on the existing welfare service,
housing and education.
A. difficulties B. difference C. diversity
7. Multiculturalism is generally taken to mean that different __________
communities should live their own way of life in an essentially self-contained
way.
A. cultural B. local C. regional
8. Cultural diversity includes both visible and non- visible __________, that is,
different genders, age groups, ethnic origins, physical appearance, educational
background, parental status, religious beliefs, sexual orientation and work style.
A. similarities B. differences C. styles
9. Diversity should produce equality of opportunity, better working conditions and
labour relations, thus achieving enhanced productivity and work performance,
with increased staff __________ and employee involvement.
A. employment B. participation C. motivation
10. Ethnocentrism may be said to be almost __________.
A. universal B. general C. global
 Chapter 5: Globalization and its Effect on Culture
1. Because of the need to __________ new markets, increasingly scarce resource and
cheaper labor, to do business globally is now less a luxury and more a matter of
competitive survival.
A. compete B. access C. challenge
2. The BRICs will become increasingly important global players and will challenge
the economic __________ of the West. As the US share of global economic output
continues to decline, a more balanced picture is developing among the
industrialized countries.
A. leadership B. relationship C. sponsorship
3. With the growing pace of globalization, there will be an increased need for
international managers to operate effectively in the __________ marketplace,
demonstrating a wide range of cross-cultural competencies. They will face
increasing complex and uncertain environments, characterized by continuous
change.
A. national B. local C. global
4. However, cultural differences will remain important and will need to be taken into
account in the production of new products, as ‘globalization’ will be the trend for
the future in order to gain competitive __________ and meet the individual
requirements of a growing body of more affluent local consumers.
A. strength B. advantage C. disadvantage
5. Globalization will continue to be __________ as it is seen by its opponents to
provide a cover for the failure of individual countries to deal with their social,
economic and ethical problems.
A. attacked B. influenced C. back
6. There has been an increased __________of the corporate social responsibility of
global companies towards their employees, particularly with regard to health and
safety, working conditions and fair wages, the environment and their shareholders.
A. awareness B. conflict C. weakness
7. This approach has, to an extent, counterbalanced some of the advantages and
negative views on the effects of __________ on LDCs and local cultures.
A. Awareness B. diversity C. globalization
8. International business and diplomacy have both displayed increased interactivity,
with more emphasis on wider networking and consultation across national
boundaries, developing a ‘coalition of the willing’ to cooperate to find mutual
__________ to global trade problems.
A. conflicts B. development C. solutions
9. Nevertheless, globalization will be seen to fail if it provides legitimization or an
excuse for the inability of individual states to cope with their own social,
economic, ethnical and environmental problems through poor __________.
A. situation B. governance C. skills
10. Globalization will also be seen to fail if the G8, the G20, the World Bank, the
IMF, the OECD and the UN do not work together to achieve the global targets
originally set for 2015 to halve global poverty, reduce __________ mortality and
ensure that every child has the right to education.
A. infant B. death C. labor
Chapter one: What is Cross-Cultural Communication?

1. Cross-cultural communication is about the way people from different cultures

communicate when they deal with each other either at a (1)_________ or face to
face. Communication can involve spoken and (2)________ language, body language
and the language of etiquette and protocol.
2. Semiotics is defined as “the study of (3)__________ and (4)_________ and their use
in interpretation”. A sign has three basic characteristics: it has a concrete form, it
refers to something other than itself and it is recognized by other people as a sign.
The physical form of a sign he called the ‘(5)__________’. The mental association it
refers to is the ‘(6)__________’.
3. A particular culture includes its (7)__________ of behavior, beliefs, (8)__________
standards, pattern of thinking and styles of (9)__________ which a particular group
of people have developed over time to ensure their (10)__________.
4. Culture is divided into (11)_________ culture – basic (12)__________ which
produce norms and (13)__________ which show in the explicit culture – observable
(14)_________ which includes language, food, music, dress, literature, architecture,
public emotion, work ethic, noise, physical contact and so on.
5. (15)_________ culture is what appears above the waves, for example, the
(16)__________ culture referred to above. This can be relatively easily observed,
even by those who have only a limited exposure to a new culture, for example,
tourists and infrequent business travellers, although its significance may not be fully
recognized. The (17)__________ culture is what lies below the waves: the
(18)__________ culture. This includes assumptions, values, attitudes towards
authority, risk taking, punctuality, communication patterns, how status is defined and
how power is distributed in society.
6. In modern cultural studies, the key issue is the way in which different cultures
(19)__________. Communication is the process by which (20)__________,
information and instructions are (21)__________ between people. Communication
breaks down into three broad areas: verbal communication, non-verbal
communication (22) (__________) and written communication.
7. (23)__________ communicators, for example, North Americans, Scandinavians,
Germans and the Dutch, have less (24)__________ about causing offence. They have
a reputation for expressing themselves in a direct manner and for being prepared to
say (25)_________what they think. This approach may be misconstrued by
(26)__________ communicators, whose primary concern is to protect personal
(27)__________ and avoid causing offence.
8. Some societies prefer a relatively (28)__________ way of addressing you until they
know you well. This is the case in many European cultures as well as in Latin
American, Africa and Asia. The more informal style of (29)__________ has, to a
degree, been adopted in the predominantly-speaking countries of the UK, the USA,
Canada, Australia and New Zealand. In many other cultures, formality equates with
(30)__________. Formality may be interpreted in informal communities as a wish to
(31)__________ distance, whereas (32)__________ may be interpreted in formal
communities as showing a lack of respect for age or status.
9. An emotional society considers that an element of communication is to show one’s
emotions. Members of such a society believe that using their emotions is an
important aspect of (33)__________, so they use their voice, eyes and arms in a more
(34)__________ way. A (35)__________ society is exactly the opposite because it
believes that it is important to control your emotions, to keep a straight face devoid of
expression and to restrict your (36)__________while using neutral language.
10. Communication involves (37) __________ messages (verbally or non-verbally) to
another person, who decodes (that is, translates) these messages by giving them
meaning. These messages may be sent by (38) __________ intent or not and may
include information about both the actual (39)__________ of the message and the
relationship between those involved in the communication process.
11. (40)__________ communication has the great advantage of
providing(41)__________ feedback. In other forms of communication, particularly
electronic communication, such as email, coding and decoding, problems occur when
feedback is (42)__________.
12. We tend to judge other cultures according to the beliefs, values and (43)__________
of our own group or culture. We then (44)__________ groups other than ours as bad,
weak, immoral, stupid, crazy and so on. Ethnocentrism may be said to be almost
(45)__________.. Members of nearly all the world’s cultures regard their own way of
life as being ‘better’ than even closely related neighbours. We often (46)__________
generalized, unfounded and negative attributes to other cultures.
13. Different cultures have different norms and (47)__________ of behaviour in both
formal and informal situations, for example, social interaction, meetings or
(48)__________. A lack of awareness and understanding of these differences can
create (49)__________ and, in extreme cases, even (50)__________.
14. (51)__________can be described as a group of beliefs and attitudes towards people
who are members of another distinct group. People form pre- established
(52)__________about how members of other groups are likely to behave and what
they believe in. Experiences often do not fit into our preconceived categories and we
are then faced with (53)__________. Our response is to try to force them into an
inaccurate category, thus distorting our perception of reality, with the result that we
feel insecure and uncertain. The (54)__________ is that categorizing can lead to
stereotyping and we categorize people of other cultures in the simplest way possible.
Chapter two: Developing cross-cultural communication skills
1. Communication is much easier if we all speak the same language or equal
(1)__________ in a lingua franca. It establish a rapport, show openness to the
culture and increases our own self-esteem, confidence and (2)__________. It leads
to better understanding, demonstrates (3)__________ and, at times, gives the
speaker a (4)__________ edge.
2. It can be argued that written communication or (5)‘__________ mail’ is perhaps
out of date, but in business memoranda (memos), reports and contracts are still
important. It is tempting to think that all written communication has a common
format and (6)__________, but this is not the case. The style of written
communication is affected by degrees of formality and (7)__________. Written
communication in the UK, the USA and, indeed, much of the Western world is
(8)__________- and efficiency-driven. In addition, there is now a tendency for
courteous greetings and sign-offs to be less frequently used.
3. The dramatically rapid increase in (9)__________ communication throughout the
world has brought people of different cultures closer together. This is
demonstrated, for example, in the (10)__________ of Facebook, which features
over 100 billion entries a day, while in the case of Twitter, more than a billion.
4. Maintaining eye contact with the group may be less important than maintaining
eye contact with the (11)__________ persons present and addressing the main
points to them. British and American presenters are often less comfortable with the
use of surnames and titles as they prefer greater (12)__________. However, the
correct use of surnames and professional titles in many cultures is necessary to
show the minimum level of (13)__________.
5. The listening process involves five related activities. They are receiving,
(14)__________, remembering, (15)__________ and responding. Passive
listening is as important as active listening. It can show how we feel about what
we are listening to, displaying such emotions ranging from pleasure and agreement
to boredom or even (16)__________. We can reassure the speaker in subtle ways
by showing empathy and appearing to concentrate closely, or we can show
(17)__________ by looking angry or indignant.
6. (18)__________ is often the key to successful business relationships, and the
conversation around the water-cooler, the formal banquet and the coffee break are
all networking (19)__________ to get to know people personally. Three essential
(20)__________to effective networking are the ability to listen, the ability to
(21)__________ and the abilities to ask questions.
7. People convey meaning in NVC (non-verbal communication) through their
posture, (22)__________, eye contact, the physical (23)__________ they keep
when communicating and how they dress. NVC is very often extremely subtle and
subconscious. It is deeply embedded in one’s own cultural (24)__________ and
when communicating with people of another culture, the wider the
 (25)__________ between the two cultures, the more difficult it is to read the
meaning of the non-verbal messages.

8. Facial expressions are the ones that we can best control and these can be
deliberately false. The (26)__________ is the most important source of non-
verbal signalling. It is highly expressive and can send much information. The use
and meaning of (27)__________, for example, looking at people directly while
you are speaking to them or not, varies between cultures. Eye movements can give
powerful messages, which include showing interest, boredom or (28)__________.
In many cultures, make-up accentuates the (29)__________ of the eyes.
9. (30)__________ describes the amount of touching people do when they
communicate. A knowledge of the accepted norms of behaviour in certain cultures
is extremely important. How, when and where we (31)__________ others is
sometimes the most misunderstood aspect of NVC. In some cultures, touching
indicates a very intimate or personal relationship, while in others, it is just
commonplace. Examples include Brazil, where people (32)__________ each other
spontaneously and cry together, or France and other Mediterranean countries,
where young people kiss each other on the cheek when saying ‘hello’. In the
Middle East, it is very often the custom for men to shake (33)__________ on
meeting, always with the right hand.
10. (34)__________ refers to the significant of colours in a culture. In many Western
cultures, for example, the UK and the USA, (35)__________ wears black at
funerals and brides wear white at weddings. In Japan, however, (36)__________ is
the colour of death. In Mexico, purple flowers are used at funerals and in Korea,
(37)__________ ink is used to record death.
Chapter three: The effect of culture on international negotiations

1. A (1)__________definition of international negotiating is the process whereby

people of different nationalities resolve actual or potential (2)__________ or
disputes by considered dialogue on an approved agenda. Parties with different
interests are brought together in the hope of finding common (3)__________.
2. Negotiating across national borders differs greatly from negotiating within one’s
own culture in the domestic marketplace. A number of new factors have to be
considered:
- different national (4)__________ styles influenced by culture;
- changes in (5)__________ (for example, the collapse of the Soviet Union) and the
moves from a command economy to a market economy in Eastern Europe;
- the (6)__________in trade barriers encouraged by the WTO and the expansion of
regional groupings, in particular the EU;
- cross-border differences, including (7)__________, currency, labour relations and
the conduct of business;
- changes of government, international terrorism and concern for (8)__________
and the environment.
3. The observance of protocol and agreed procedures is an essential factor for
successful meetings and (9)__________. It gives a recognized structure to the
proceedings and provides an agreed code of conduct which should help reduce
intercultural friction and (10)__________. Aspects of protocol can include correct
(11)__________ arrangements with due respect for seniority, the presentation of
business cards and appropriate dress. It also includes procedures such as methods
of (12)__________, addressing remarks through the chair, the composition of
committees, any limitations on the times allotted to speakers and the production of
the minutes at the conclusion, as well as any official communiqués.
4. In certain cultures where building relationships and mutual trust are initially more
important in the early stages of a negotiating process than decisions about agreeing
a deal or obtaining a satisfactory (13)__________, such experiences are invaluable
in helping to develop good (14)__________ relationships. However, the attempt to
use shared experiences should be conducted with great (15)__________, as it is
important to check the appropriateness and relevance of these experiences and
whether they are fully understood. Once (16)__________is established, it is easier
to discuss openly if cultural differences might be affecting the issues.
5. The family and, indeed, the extended family are highly valued in many cultures
(for example, in Africa and the Middle East), and therefore showing interest in the
well-being of one’s counterpart’s family is important when developing successful
relationships and (17)__________trust. These examples of the value of shared
experiences are useful in high-context (18)__________ where the emphasis is
initially more on developing personal relationships and less on the detail of the
desired (19)__________. In low-context cultures, in contrast, creating
 relationships is less important in the initial stages and only becomes more
important when final agreement is made and (20)__________ are signed.
6. The use of humour as an (21)‘__________’, particularly at the beginning of
negotiations, can often be useful. It is designed to help people (22)__________,
but is effective only if it is clearly understood and does not cause any
(23)__________ or offence. It is therefore important to be fully aware of which
subjects are taboo, particularly cultural and politically (24)__________areas.
7. It should be emphasized that when we are using English as native speakers, we
should make every effort to use clear, simple and (25)__________ English,
remembering to:
● avoid slang, (26)__________, metaphors and acronyms;
● speak more slowly than usual without appearing patronizing;
● avoid complex sentence structure and the use of double (27)__________;
● use both verbal and written summaries as appropriate;
● use simple visual aids to (28)__________ key points and have copies available
for distribution.
8. Those preparing for international negotiations should carry out a cultural
(29)__________ (a form of cultural audit of the other cultures involved in
negotiating) in order to help increase one’s options. This aims to help avoid any
(30)__________ which might be caused by the lack of awareness of cultural
(31)__________, customs and values, and improves the participant’s ability to
understand any cultural nuances in communication. Such an audit is useful in
highlighting potential areas of conflict or cultural misunderstanding and helps
build up a picture of likely behaviour and (32)__________. It should consider the
following from the viewpoint of one’s own culture and those of the other people
with whom one is negotiating.
9. (33)__________ may be most helpful when they are able to encourage one party
in the negotiations to agree to adopt the cultural approach of the other party or
(which can also be of mutual benefit) to follow the cultural (34)__________ of the
mediator’s own home culture. Mediation has the advantages of generally being
less costly, less time consuming and less adversarial than arbitration, and is more
likely to produce greater (35)__________ for both parties. It is based on
procedural rules, requires the willingness of both parties to a dispute to receive
help and may resolve the root causes of an ongoing (36)__________ by focusing
on basic issues rather than on positions.
10. The fundamental requirement in an international negotiator remains proven
technical and professional (37)__________. The following additional skills go
across cultures.
They include:
● listening skills – the need for patience, tolerance and a non- judgmental
(38)__________;
● sensitivity to cultural differences – development of (39)__________;
● orientation towards people – development of interpersonal skills;
● a willingness to use team assistance – team skills, consensus and (40)__________;
● high levels of self-esteem – professional competence, integrity and confidence;
● high aspirations and (41)__________standards.
Chapter 4: Multiculturalism and diversity
1. Multiculturalism is generally taken to mean that different cultural communities
should live their own way of life in an essentially (1)__________ way. In this
sense, multiculturalism requires that all (2)__________ should be open, self-
critical and (3)__________ in their relations with each other. Multi- ethnicity does
not simply mean multiculturalism, but it relies on multiculturalism to keep its
(4)__________.
2. The term ‘cultural (5)__________’ is often used interchangeably with
‘multiculturalism’. In a pluralistic society, recognition of the (6)__________
cultures within it is generally accepted to be based on three principles: that all
people are considered (7)__________, that all cultures deserve (8)__________ and
that the concept of cultural pluralism is given support under the law.
3. Diversity is about promoting equality in (9)__________ in general and in the
(10)__________ in particular. Cultural diversity includes both visible and non-
visible differences, that is, different genders, age groups, ethnic origins, physical
appearance, educational background, parental status, religious beliefs, sexual
orientation and work style. It should produce equality of (11)__________, better
working conditions and labour relations, thus achieving enhanced productivity and
work (12)__________, with increased staff motivation and employee involvement.
It prevents dissatisfaction by providing greater job security and safer working
conditions, with fair remuneration and equal opportunities for men and women for
job selection, training and promotion.
4. Ethnic groups encounter (13)__________ whereby the main host’s predominant
culture tends to judge all other cultures according to its own beliefs, values and
traditions. This also tends to reinforce (14)__________, often as a result of feeling
(15)__________ and uncertain when faced with people who are different, with the
result that people from other cultures are categorized in the simplest way possible.
There is a tendency to (16)__________ these categories, because they constitute
the unknown, with negative emotions.

5. Special courses are organized to prepare those who wish to apply for citizenship,
including increasing (17)__________ in such areas as:
● a basic (18)__________ in English;
● the history and society of the UK;
● national institutions – roles of the (19)__________, the prime minister,
Parliament,
the Cabinet and local government;
● the role of elective representatives and political (20)__________;
6. The four key principles underlying multiculturalism in Australia are as follows:
● freedom for all Australians to practise their culture and (21)__________;
● equal opportunity to (22)__________ fully in economic, social, cultural and
political life within Australia;
● the responsibility to commit to the (23)__________ system and respect the rights
of all individuals;
● (24)__________ of the economic benefits derived from multiculturalism.
7. There are advantages and disadvantages of (26)__________, in particular the
advantages of cultural (26)__________, including increased skills, new idea and
creativity and the disadvantages of pressure on the existing
(27)__________service, housing and education.
8. Monocultural peoples tend to be (28)__________ to other people’s cultures and
are therefore usually unaware of potential points of (29)__________ and
misunderstanding. They tend to be basically (30)__________ in their outlook and
unable to see the other culture’s point of view; as a result, they are themselves
often unable to (31)__________effectively with people from other cultures.
Chapter 5: Globalization and its effect on culture
1. Globalization has been described as: ‘The production and (1)__________ of goods
and services of a homogeneous type and quality worldwide … the operation of
dispersed organizations with sales and production units close to markets’. It is the
(2)__________ of national and regional cultures (3)__________, politically and
culturally under the impact of international trade and international trade
(4)__________, such as the World Trade Organization (WTO), the International
Monetary Fund (IMF) …
2. Globalization has been compared to the process of cultural
(5)__________whereby elements of one environment permeate another and bring
about significant change. Lower airfares, the media (particularly stations like
MTV and CNN), the Internet and greater opportunities to travel are seen to bring
about a certain degree of cultural (6)__________. Companies like Apple, Sony,
Nokia and IKEA have aimed to drive the market and educate their customers to
accept their products worldwide, and to consider them as (7)‘__________’
products that are obtainable across national and cultural (8)__________.
3. Globalization of production: companies spread different parts of their production
processes to different (9)__________ around the globe to take advantage of
national and cultural differences in the cost and quality of the factors of
(10)__________. They aim to base their individual productive activities at the
most (11)__________ locations. This can have the advantage of stimulating
growth in the local economy, particularly in terms of providing local jobs and
increased spending (12)__________.
4. Changes in the process of cultural convergence are generally very slow and there
is considerable (13)__________ to and evidence of actual cultural divergence.
Cultures often force companies to adjust their business policies and practices, for
example, in labour relations and the (14)__________of the labour force. Cultural
differences still matter and may result in the need to launch local products to meet
local requirements and (15)__________. The term glocalization has been coined to
express the ‘need to think global, act local’ as the spread of globalization is
increased by cultural (16)__________.

5. Environmental issues will continue to assume importance as the world is faced

with a growing (17)__________ of raw materials, fresh water and increasing
energy requirements. Large global companies will continue to invest in new areas
in the search for (18)__________both under the ocean and in remote parts of the
world. Even developing the technology to harvest rare metals from outer space is
under (19)__________. Measures to reduce the effects of predicted global
warming are being considered, despite resistance because of cost and, in some
quarters, scientific scepticism about the reality of the effects of climate change.
Plans to reduce carbon (20) __________ already in place will be further
developed, as will more research into renewable sources of energy.
6. The expression ‘ (21)__________ village’ was originally coined to illustrate that
through the advancement of electronic communications, the peoples of the world
can now be as closely linked as the people in a traditional village. This notion has
now been (22)__________ to include religion, trade and (23)__________, and the
whole world is now seen by many as a single (24)__________.
7. There are two very different ways of analysing the (25)__________ of
globalization. One approach is to see the working of the market economy bringing
about a world in which the gap between rich and poor (26)__________. The
second (and more optimistic) view is that a market economy will enable countries
to converge towards a more equal state of (27)__________ as global trade
liberalizes the world economy. If poverty persists, it will be because we have
failed to allow the market to operate (28)__________.
8. We now live in a more (29)__________, less nationalistic world which promotes
innovation, international trade and economic growth, the (30)__________ of
ideas, social interaction and cultural (31)__________. As a result, there is
enhanced (32)__________to produce both local and national products.