Independent University, Bangladesh (IUB)

English 105: Business English Mid-Term Examination: Summer 2021

Department of English
Name: Nur Mohammad Shahos Section: 08 Time: 1 hour

ID: 1920271 Full Marks: 20 Marks Scored:

1.Read the following passage carefully and analyze the definition, differences, characteristics
and communicating in International Business of High and Low Context Cultures. (06 Marks)

COMMUNICATING IN HIGH CONTEXT VS. LOW CONTEXT

CULTURES

How people communicate with one another varies wildly from culture to culture. In our fully
globalized times, it is more important than ever to understand these differences and where they come
from. One way to reach such an understanding is through the high and low context culture framework,
developed by anthropologist Edward T. Hall. In 1976, Hall proposed that cultures can be divided into
two categories—high context and low context. The concept has been a popular frame of reference
since its introduction 40 years ago, and is used as a training tool to this day.

The differentiation between high and low context cultures is meant to highlight differences in verbal
and nonverbal communication. High-context cultures will use communication that focuses on
underlying context, meaning, and tone in the message, and not just the words themselves. Countries
that fall into this categorization are Japan, China, France, Spain, Brazil, and more. On the flipside,
low-context cultures expect communications to be explicitly stated so that there’s no risk of confusion,
and if a message isn’t clear enough, it will slow down the process of communication. In the most
extreme cases, leaving any sort of wiggle room for interpretation can be disastrous. Some of the
cultures that fall into low-context communication are Western cultures like the UK, Australia and the
United States.
Cultures typically can’t be organized strictly into either high or low context. Most cultures fall
between the extremes on the spectrum and can share characteristics of both high and low context traits
to varying degrees. Although it can be a complex characteristic whether a culture is high context or
low context, it can determine many other aspects of a particular culture. For example, in a high-context
culture, similarity is an important characteristic. This is because the majority of the population in high
context cultures typically have the same level of education, as well as a shared ethnicity, religion, and
history. Through these shared experiences, messages can be contextualized by assuming an audience
will think in the same way and follow the underlying message implicit in someone’s speech or writing.
In low-context cultures, the opposite is true. They are usually diverse, and focus on the individual,
instead of the group. Since there are so many differences within a low-context culture, communication
must be basic enough to allow for as many people to understand it as possible.
Clearly, it’s important for a multinational organization to know the difference between high and low
context cultures in order to communicate effectively and avoid making embarrassing or offensive
mistakes. A full understanding of these differences will effectively improve both outward, client-
focused communication as well as inter-business relationships. Will a company in Japan appreciate
your attempts to get right to the point? Will a German company become bored if you talk around a
subject, instead of directly addressing it? Know your audience and their cultural standing, and your
message will never get lost.

A. How does ‘the High and Low Context Cultures’ differ from each other? (2 Marks)

Answer: In high context culture less information is in the verbal message and more in the context but
in low context Most of the information is in the verbal message and less in context.

B. What are the main characteristics? (2 Marks)

Answer: The main characteristics for high context and low comtext culture is achieving intercultural
competence

C. How to communicate effectively in International Business? (2 Marks)

Answer: By clear communication using positive tones and I proper hospitality we can communicate
effectively international busines.

2. Rewrite the following sentences using accurate formal language for You-Viewpoints:

(2 Marks)

a.  We are sure that our new discount policy will attractive to you.

- you can commit a better deal with a recent exception flair

b. Dear Mr. Jones, I am happy to inform you that we have approved your loan.
 - Dear Mr. Jones we are very glad to inform you that in response to your request for a bank load
has been approved.

c. I am interested in learning more about the program that was designed by you.

- We are all interested in learning from the unique program you have designed

e. It will be impossible to open an account for you until you send us your signature card.

- You are not able to place an account until we received the signature card from you.

3. Covert the following ‘Negative Versions’ sentences into ‘Positive Versions’: (2 Marks)

a. We cannot deliver until Friday.

Answer: we have to deliver until Friday

b. Until you pay your library fines, you will not receive your diploma.

Answer: If the payment is completed you will get a diploma certificate

c. You won't be sorry you did this.

-answer: You are not gonna say sorry what you did already

d. We regret to inform you that we cannot permit you to use our clubhouse for your meeting, as
the Ladies Book Club asked for it first. We can, however, let you use our conference room; but
it seats only 50.

Answer: We are very condolence to inform you that we right now able to permit you to use our
clubhouse for your meeting, as the Ladies Book Club asked for it first. We can, however, let
you use our conference room; but it seats only 50
4. You are requested to submit an incident report to the President, Mr. Alison, of Utar
University for incident of flood at Basement of Utar KB Block Building. As the head of
Engineering Team, write an Incident Report in Memo format to the President of Utar
University. Outline the factors which are responsible for this incident and provide
recommendations if need be. (10 Marks)

A flood happened in the basement of Utar KB Block on 15 July, 2021 at 1.30 am at night after a heavy
rain. The basement of the KB Block consists of parking lots as well as workshops belonging to the
Engineering Department. There were multiple witnesses especially the security guards of Utar KB
Block Building. The head of security department, Mr. James responded to the incident and called
emergency services at 1.45 am and led all security guards to a safe place. The entry of outsiders to
Utar Building was prohibited. The head of the Engineering team are requested to investigate the flood
and make repairs needed to stem the water flow and to estimate the damage as a whole. There were no
any casualties caused by the flood. The outlets in basement drainage system have been blocked.
According to the weather forecast, monsoon drains has been lasted for one month in the university
area. It has resulted in the heavy rain for continuously few days. There were some severe damages to
the property located in the basement during the flood. 10 Utar vehicles were flooded which the models
of these 10 vehicles are Toyota Avenza and Toyota Hillux respectively. In addition, the equipment in
mechanical lab was damaged and furniture stored in the basement was damaged beyond repair.

ANSWER:

TO: President, Mr. Alison, of Utar University

From: Nur Mohammad Shahos, Head of Engineering Team, Utar University

Date: July 15, 2021

Subject: Excessive flooding has submerged the Basement of Utar KB Block Building

The purpose of this report is to inform you that the basement of Utar University KB has been
submerged due to excessive floods. Where there were some occupants  security guards who were
trapped and later rescued. 
On 15 July, 2021 at 1.30 am at night a flood happened in the basement of Utar university which is
blocked KB’s. Which is why some of our security guards are stuck there. After then Mr. James who is
the Head of security department responded to the incident and called emergency services at 1.45 am.

The basement of the KB Block consists of parking lots as well as workshops belonging to the
Engineering Department. The outlets in basement drainage system have been blocked. When the
heavy rain occurred last night, the rainwater could not pass because the drain was blocked and Utar
KB block get flooded. According to the weather forecast, monsoon drains has been lasted for one
month in the university area. It has resulted in the heavy rain for continuously few days.

There were multiple witnesses especially the security guards of Utar KB Block Building. The head of
security department, Mr. James responded to the incident and called emergency services at 1.45 am
and led all security guards to a safe place. 10 Utar vehicles were flooded which the models of these 10
vehicles are Toyota Avenza and Toyota Hillux respectively. The entry of outsiders to Utar Building
was prohibited.

Our engineering team investigate the flood and make repairs needed to stem the water flow and to
estimate the damage as a whole. There were some severe damages to the property located in the
basement during the flood. In addition, the equipment in mechanical lab was damaged and furniture
stored in the basement was damaged beyond repair.

A compensation of BDT 1,00,000 is here by recommended for repairing the damages.