Free Practice Question
RC · Reading Comprehension
555-605
Short Passage - Humanities
Reading Passage
In mono-cultural societies such as Japan or Poland, finding common ground on ethical and moral principles is easier than in societies with competing ideologies. One knows essentially what to expect from the people who have formed the political and social compact in monocultures. Members know what to expect of one another. They know the code composed of meanings and rules by which that society functions. Common cultural origins produce proverbs, motifs, icons, symbols, nuances of language, nonverbal behaviors, and metaphors that are immediately understood and accepted by anyone in the group. However, such commonality is more difficult to achieve once one moves to societies with a diverse population with different cultural backgrounds or to the global society of international relations. Such societies are often called multi-cultural individualistic societies. Hence, the United States, which favors individual effort and has less concern for the group as a whole is seen to be high on individualism. Such cultural differences lead to contrasting communication styles to the extent the historians label the communication style of collectivist cultures as "High Context" and the style of individualistic cultures "Low Context". A high-context communication or message is one in which most of the information is either in the physical context or internalized in the person, while very little is in the coded, explicit part of the message" and a low-context message is the opposite, with the information explicitly coded in the message.
Which of the following is likely to be true based on the information in the passage?
Answer Choices
Correct answer marked belowA high context communication delivering a particular message is likely to be shorter than a low context communication delivering the same message.
Correct
B
A controversial high context message is likely to face less opposition than a similar message delivered in low context.
C
Cross border communication is likely to turn more and more societies into individualistic ones.
D
Collectivist cultures produce more historical symbols and artifacts per capita than mono cultural societies do.
E
It is easier to understand high context messages than to understand low context messages.
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What it tests
Your ability to understand a passage, its structure, and what the author is really saying. At the 555-605 level, accuracy and speed both matter.
Common trap
Answering from memory or outside knowledge instead of strictly from the passage.
Details
Difficulty
555-605
Type
RC
Category