I. Vocabulary skills（2 points）
\n
Complete the following statements by choosing the best from the answers A, B, C, or D. （0.4 points each）
1． Some examples of the architecture of old Europe are the magnificent cathedrals and castles. The design and building styles of modern architecture are excellent too. What does the noun architecture mean in these sentences?
the form and plan of buildings and other structures
the art and science of designing the study of classical literature
people that study the culture of old Europe and other societies
the place with significant civilization everywhere
2． Perhaps the real beginning of civilization—with its scientific and technological discoveries and inventions—was in the Middle East and Africa. Over five thousand years ago, those ancient civilizations had astronomy, mathematics, medicine, government, and so on. Which word is a synonym of the word civilization?
astronomy
technology
culture
cathedral
3． The cultural legacy of ancient Chinese and Indian peoples included walled cities, the first governments, tools for work, and weapons for protection. odern peoples built on this legacy.What is a possible explanation of the word legacy?
a gift of money that somebody gives to another person
international business conducted in cities and government structures
the state or condition of being legal; not against the law
ideas and achievements passed from earlier generations to modern society
4． “For me, the idea of ancient culture creates a contradiction in definitions,” said Karen, going against Mei’s views. “Only modern things can be part of culture.Of course, people that like classical art and music will contradict me.”
What might the noun contradiction mean?
the opposition of two opinions
the short forms of two words together
wearing a Hawaiian shirt in an ancient culture
to put words together
5． Because of the worldwide media—movies, TV, CDs, the Internet, newspapers, magazines—everybody knows the same information, plays the same music, and enjoys the same jokes.How might you define the phrase the media?
events that appear in the daily news and that everyone knows about
the tradition of being in the middle—not on the extremes of possible views
the combination of visual, sound, and printed ways to send ideas around the world
communication styles include motions, gestures and facial expressions
II.Reading Comprehension (5 points)
\n
Decide whether the following statements are true or false. Write “T” for True and “F” for False. （1 point each）
6．Many visitors to different countries don’t realize how important it is to understand a country’s culture. Sometimes people learn this lesson by making a big cross-cultural blunder, or embarrassing mistake. In business situations, these blunders can cost a lot of money or end business relationships.
It is important to understand other people’s cultures before you do business with them.
T
F
7．For example, one company wanted to sell toothpaste in Southeast Asia. In their advertisements, they claimed that their toothpaste whitens teeth. They didn’t understand that many of the local people chewed betel nuts to make their teeth black, and that these people thought black teeth were attractive.
The toothpaste company probably kept using the same advertisement in Southeast Asia.
T
F
8．In another case, a car company tried to sell a car called “Matador” in a Spanish-speaking country. The company thought that it was a strong name because it means “bullfighter”. In Spanish, matador is indeed a noun meaning “bullfighter”. But it is also an adjective meaning “killing”. Imagine driving around in a car called “Killing”!
The car company that tried to sell a car to a Spanish-speaking country probably didn’t sell many Matador cars in that country.
T
F
9．A European businessman had an important meeting with a company in Taiwan. He wanted to bring gifts for the people he was meeting with. He thought that something with his company’s logo on it would be a nice gift. So he bought some very nice pocket knives and had his company’s logo printed on them. He didn’t know that giving a knife as a gift symbolizes cutting off a friendship!
The European businessman probably researches new cultures before he visits them now.
T
F
10．It’s very easy to make blunders like these people did. But it’s also very easy not to. Before you visit a new country, research that country’s customs and etiquette (social rules for polite behavior). You can find a lot of information online. Just go to a search engine and type in key words like “cross-cultural etiquette” or “cultural information Taiwan”. By spending a few minutes doing research, you can save yourself from a lot of embarrassment and make sure you don’t accidentally offend anyone.
What you can disagree with people to save yourself from making cross-cultural blunders.
T
F
