| 1.
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Today, the typical British greeting is:
A brief handshake with a moderately toned "Nice to meet you".
A firm and longer - lasting handshake, a large warm smile and a very formal "It is a pleasure to make your acquaintance".
A short, stiff bow followed by a light handshake and a "Welcome to X, Mr Y".
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| 2.
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You have been working in the London office of your company for some time now. It is Friday evening and your colleagues are about to 'hit' the pubs before heading home, as they have been doing all the time you've been here. Having settled in more, you've now become 'one of the lads' and they have asked you to join them. You are generally teetotal and have a long way to travel home. Your reaction is:
Demur politely saying that you don't drink and want to get home as soon as possible.
React with annoyance when they persist and firmly refuse, even lecturing them for drinking too much, having heard many 'Monday morning after' stories about their various stages of inebriation on such nights out.
Rationalise with them that even an hour after office closing will see rush hour traffic, so what's the point?
Show enthusiasm, commenting that you will go along but will only have a small drink if it's alright with them.
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| 3.
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British work ethic is generally described as "Do what is necessary to get it done." People who have this attitude may not want to appear aggressive, but know how to work hard and get things done. This ethic is changing slowly to a more "go-getter" attitude typical of North America. True or false?
True
False
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| 4.
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British co-workers may use humour to break the ice to get to know you. True or false?
True, and it may consist of making gentle fun of colleagues present.
False. The British never use humour in this way but would prefer more formal introductions and personal presentations.
True, and it may consist of political jokes and 'blue' or rude jokes.
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| 5.
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You have just emerged from a railway or tube station and need directions to get to your place of appointment. You have an address but have no idea of the local layout of side streets and house numbering system, which can be confusing in British cities. What you do know is that it's quite near to the station. Your reaction is to:
Ask the nearest tradesman, usually a newsvendor or fruiterer expecting him or her to know the environs.
Catch someone you think seems local, i.e. it's not a bag-laden tourist but well-dressed type probably working in the area.
Ask the first person to pass near you in the station.
Go to the station ticket/information counter.
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| 6.
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The origin of the British is genetically mixed and consists of:
Ancient Norman, Celtic, Saxon and Nordic tribes
Roman, Spanish Celts and the French.
Ancient Saxon, Italian and the Welsh.
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| 7.
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The class system, although less rigid and deterministic than in the past, continues to influence British business and social life in general. True or false?
True
False
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| 8.
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Suresh was sure that he would miss his November 10 deadline and be forced to delay a financial report due to be faxed to the London office in two days The delay was unavoidable as several key people had fallen ill and the statistics were simply not ready yet. To avoid inconveniencing the UK office, Suresh took the liberty of phoning Jason Barker right away to explain the situation. Jason Barker, the project manager, did not seem overly upset at the time he simply replied, "Well, that's a nuisance," then went on to end the conversation. A few hours after the call was made, Suresh was called into his boss' office. "I just heard from the UK, they're very, very unhappy," he reported, "What happened during the conversation?"
Jason Barker is keen to discredit Suresh and generally to cause him trouble with his boss.
The English are well-known for their understatement and indirectness; conveying an even-tempered and self-control message during conversation is considered an English cultural characteristic. For Jason Barker, to say that something is "a real nuisance" was to express genuine disappointment and annoyance.
Jason Barker had not fully understood the message that Suresh was putting across because he wasn't used to hearing an Indian accent.
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| 9.
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It is said that the South and Southerners are less warm or friendly than their Northern and Celtic Scot neighbours. This is because:
Southerners are more materialistic and only focus on financial gain.
The big city life is an aggressive environment and doesn't lend itself to warmth and friendliness.
Northerners and Celtic Scots are less snobbish.
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| 10.
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When trying to start up a conversation with a British person the safest topic is:
To ask where they come from.
To talk about the weather.
To ask about their family.
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You still have only
seconds to choose appropriate answers and press the button "I am finished".
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| 11.
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British people may not appear to be friendly because:
They intensely dislike foreigners.
They are fearful of non-British communication behaviours such as kissing and hugging in public.
They have a greatly cherished sense of privacy and a fear of being perceived as invading others' personal space.
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| 12.
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Commuters on public transport read newspapers because:
They are keen to keep up with the international and national news of the day.
They believe that in public it is best to keep to oneself.
They are snobbish and do not want to mix with people who are lower than themselves..
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| 13.
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Which of these are typical British dishes?
Spaghetti Bolognese, Chicken Tikka Masala & a Ploughman's (Cheese and pickle on crusty, French bread).
Sushi, Apple Pie, Prime Steak.
Meat Loaf, Fried Squid, Pan-fried Red Mullet.
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| 14.
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Humour is important in business sessions in the UK. British executives can use humour (especially irony or sarcasm) as a weapon in ridiculing an opponent or showing disagreement or even contempt. One can learn a lot about the British by observing how they use humour against themselves or their own colleagues. Which of the following uses are common (You may mark more than one) :
self deprecation
to break up tension in a situation which is developing intransigence
to speed up discussion when excessive formality is slowing it down
to direct criticism towards a superior without getting fired
to introduce a new, possibly wild idea to unimaginative colleagues (the 'trial balloon)
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| 15.
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The typical British cuppa (Cup of tea) consists of:
Lapsang Sooschong or orange Pekoe.
Strong black Indian or African grown tea with milk and often two spoons of sugar.
Jasmine or Lady Grey.
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| 16.
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Which of the following expressions are understated, but are negative expressions that are typically used by the British (You may mark more than one):
I might tend to disagree
Absolutely not
I'm not quite sure about that
We'll have to wait and see
I may have to reconsider
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| 17.
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Britain is increasingly becoming a multi-racial society, and certain ethnic groups are showing greater representation in UK business society. In particular, Indians, Africans, Asians and Chinese are said to be well-represented in professional and managerial occupations, as well as owners of small businesses. As a result of this, the nature of doing business in the UK is changing along with its population. Which of the following are true (You may mark more than one):
Non-Anglo-Saxon managers and business people may exhibit divergent practices and not follow the typical British business model
Despite growing multiculturalism, class hierarchy, coupled with ethnic prejudice, may be observed in some workplace interactions.
Multiculturalism has meant that it is now relatively straightforward for someone from an Indian, African or Asian background to rise successfully in the hierarchy of British companies to senior management and board level.
Mainstream white society in Britain is still the norm, and workplace discrimination is a typical, if unfortunate, by-product of cultural change.
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| 18.
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The British have formalised 'unpunctuality' so that when they invite you to their home, 7:30 for 8 it is acceptable to arrive:
At 7:25.
At 8:20.
At 7:45.
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| 19.
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The typical British young person will:
Leave home as soon as possible to gain their own independence.
Stay with their parents till they get married.
Move in with other relatives nearby to get a taste for independence before setting off on their own.
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| 20.
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After leaving home most young people will visit their parents:
Once a week.
Once a month.
Between 3 and 6 times a year (depending on the distance involved).
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You still have only
seconds to choose appropriate answers and press the button "I am finished".
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| 21.
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In British pubs the favourite drink for men is:
Very cold German lager.
Excellent quality French, Italian and Spanish wines.
Room temperature bitter beer.
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| 22.
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When with a group it is normal:
For each person to buy their own drink directly from the bar.
For each person in the group to buy a 'round' of drinks for everyone directly from the bar.
For the pub staff to come to each group around a table and take their order which is then paid for by sharing the total bill among the group.
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| 23.
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When entering a restaurant:
It is OK to just sit wherever you wish and leave a 10% tip.
You should wait to be seated and leave a 15% tip.
You should wait to be seated and leave a 10% tip if no service charge has been added to the bill.
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| 24.
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Britain's favourite sports are:
First Cricket, then Tennis and finally Football.
First Golf, then Football and finally Tennis.
First Football, then Cricket and finally Tennis.
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| 25.
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On a social level it is important to be:
To assert your abilities and successes openly.
A nice person.
To share all of your personal information (family, age, background, education etc) promptly.
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You still have only
seconds to choose appropriate answers and press the button "I am finished".
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