Student’s Full Name: Student ID: No.

KEYTO FINAL EXAMINATION

Time Allotted: 60 minutes
Part I: Choose the best answer to each of the following questions. Write your answers (A, B, C, or
D) ON THE ANSWER SHEET. (2pts)
1. How is the concept of ‘tatemae’ different from ‘honne’ in Japanese communication?
A. Tatemae is one’s true feelings, while honne is a façade.
B. Tatemae is a public façade, while honne is one’s true feelings.
C. Both terms refer to the same concept.
D. Tatemae is related to body language, while honne is verbal communication.
2. Which of the following provinces in Canada uses French as their official language?
A. Alberta B. Nova Scotia C. Ontario D. Quebec
3. How is time perceived in Indian intercultural communication?
A. Punctuality is highly valued.
B. Strict adherence to schedules is seen as rude.
C. Time is not a consideration in communication.
D. Flexibility in timing is common.
4. Which of the following is NOT considered a traditional dress?
A. Kimono B. Cheongsam C. Sari D. Diwali
5. Australians often use humour, including self-deprecating humour, to
A. Show respect and deference
B. Create social distance
C. Build rapport and lighten the mood
D. Assert dominance and authority
6. Which of the following groups is at the lowest position (the fifth caste) in the Indian caste system?
A. Brahmins B. Dalits C. Kshatriyas D. Vaishyas
7. What is the word in Nguni Bantu which broadly means “human kindness”?
A. Ubuntu B. Laksa C. Apartheid D. Safari
8. Which of the following groups is mostly respected in Korean culture?
A. Women B. Elders C. Teachers D. Businesspeople
9. Which of the following countries has eleven official languages?
A. Australia B. South Korea C. South Africa D. India
10. Which of the following religions focuses on the worship of kami and prioritizes harmony with nature?
A. Shinto B. Buddhism C. Confucianism D. Taoism

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Part II: Decide whether each following statement is true (T) or false (F). Write your answers (T or
F) ON THE ANSWER SHEET. (2pts)
1. The "Platinum Rule" suggests treating others according to one’s own cultural standards. F
2. Intercultural adaptation requires complete assimilation into the host culture, abandoning one’s original
cultural practices. F
3. Communication styles in intercultural settings can vary widely among members of a culture. T
4. High-context cultures prefer formal and direct communication styles to convey messages clearly. F
5. Transpection is an advanced form of empathy that involves trying to think and feel as someone from
another culture does. T
6. People with internal locus of control believe in fatalism. F
7. In universalist cultures, the distinction between in-group and out-group people is quite clear in treatment.
F
8. In concrete communication style, messages are conveyed mainly through actual cases and real
situations. T
9. People who have abstract communication style prefer to communicate by using stories, metaphors and
examples. F
10. At a meeting, agreeing with a suggestion you think is wrong is a behavior driven by the value of
informality. F

Part III: Match the subject in the left column with its correct information in the right column. Write
the letter (A-M) ON THE ANSWER SHEET. Please note there are three extra options that do not
match any subject. (2pts)

21. High-context culture A This culture places little importance on the distinction
between in-group and out-group
22. Low-context culture B People in this culture tend to be assertive, ambitious, and
competitive.
23. A collectivist culture C In this culture, people may encourage different
approaches and perspectives.
24. An individualist culture D People in this culture are more likely to remember
positive emotions; have a more satisfying family life and
loose gender roles.
25. High power distance E Information is shared, thus known by all participants, but
not verbally stated.
26. Low power distance F Organizations look to more immediate rewards.

27. Masculine culture G People in this culture seek solutions in which both sides
win (win–win strategies).
28 Feminine culture H This culture places less emphasis on personal
relationships and more emphasis on verbalized, explicit
explanation, resulting in less face-saving

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 29. Long-Term Orientation I This culture teaches members the importance of this
proverb: “Một điều nhịn, chín điều lành”
30. Short-Term Orientation J In this culture, students are expected to demonstrate
knowledge and command, participate in discussions with
teachers, and even challenge teachers.
K In this culture, managers/owners and workers share same
values and work together to achieve future goals.
L People create clear-cut rules for communication.
M This culture values hierarchy, thus viewing direct
confrontation and assertiveness negatively.

ANSWERS:
21. E 22. H 23. I 24. A 25. M 26. J 27. B 28. G 29. K 30. F

PART IV: Open questions. Write your answers ON THE ANSWER SHEET. (4pts)

1. Describe the concept of Ubuntu in South Africa.

Suggested answer: Ubuntu is a Nguni Bantu word, broadly meaning “human kindness.” African historian
Michael Onyebuchi Eze defines ubuntu as “A person is a person through other people,” while Archbishop
Tutu proposes that ubuntu “demands that you forgive, because resentment and anger and desire for
revenge undermine harmony.” Ubuntu forms the basis of South Africa’s constitution.
As the common glue of this multicultural society, ubuntu defines South Africans and how they relate to
others. It is the philosophy that helped shape the new government’s attempt to forge a national
consciousness. Companies and institutions base their corporate philosophy on ubuntu, and it has become
applicable in many spheres of life.
Socially, ubuntu provides the framework of South African values, drawing on the ethos of an equal South
Africa. It encourages a spirit of giving and contributing; of duty, accountability, and responsibility; of
respect and decency; of tolerance and understanding; of integrity, loyalty, kindness, and compassion.

2. How do Canadians differentiate their multicultural, immigrant society from the American one?
Suggested answer: Canadians differentiate their multicultural, immigrant society from the American
version of the “melting pot” with the idea of a “cultural mosaic.” The melting pot idea is associated with
assimilation (meaning that people give up their original culture in order to become part of the new society)
creating a unified “American” society. The theory behind the Canadian multicultural mosaic is that
immigrants are not pressed to give up their culture and are free to find a balance between old and new.
This means that ideally cultural groups live alongside one another in tolerant coexistence.

3. When Japanese people tell you “It’s a bit difficult”, or “I’ll consider it”, how should you interpret
these phrases? Why?
Suggested answer: Like the overall culture, the Japanese communication style is high-context, a term
introduced by anthropologist Edward T. Hall. High-context communication relies heavily on implicit
information, including shared knowledge, non-verbal cues, and reading between the lines rather than
explicit verbal messages.
Often, Japanese people consider being indirect is polite. It is common to avoid confrontation or
disagreement in public. Therefore, when Japanese people say such phrases, you should interpret them as
a polite way of refusing, of saying “no” indirectly to avoid loss of face and maintain harmony.
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4. Situation:
An Indian engineer and an Australian engineer are working together on a project. The Australian engineer
expects decisions to be made collaboratively and informally, treating each person’s input equally.
However, the Indian engineer looks for guidance from the Australian engineer, whom they assume is the
team leader. This assumption creates frustration as the Indian engineer hesitates to speak up, and the
Australian engineer interprets this as a lack of initiative.
Question: Why does the conflict take place? Your explanations should be based on cultural differences.
Suggested Answer: Indian culture often values hierarchy and deference to authority, while Australian
culture is more egalitarian, expecting all team members to contribute openly regardless of position. The
Indian engineer’s respect for hierarchy leads them to defer to what they see as authority, while the
Australian engineer views this as passivity.

=== END OF TEST ===

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