Yvette
Questions about intercultural communication
Recently I  did some tests about intercultural communication, and I got quite confused about some questions. Unfortunately, there is no explanation after test, but only keys. So I wonder if any of you can discuss with me about those questions:)
Surely in order to save your time, you can choose some of them to discuss.
Thank you so much!


FIRSTLY, I want to know when I should use NEVER MIND, for that in the following two questions, I chose Never Mind, but it turned out to be inappropriate.
Q 1: One day, when an American lady accidentally bumped into Wei Lin. Lady,"I'm terribly sorry."  Wei Lin:
        A. It doesn't matter          B. Never mind.          C. That's all right      D. Don't worry.
Q 2: At a bus stop. Man,"Excuse me, do you know which bus to catch for London Road, please?"  Woman,"Sorry, I've no idea."     Man:
       A. It doesn't matter            B. Oh              C. Never mind.        D. Thank you.
In the question 1, the keys are  ACD, but why is NEVER MIND inappropriate?
In the question 2, the key is D, but why is NEVER MIND inappropriate and when and how should I use Never Mind?


SECONDLY, I want to know how to REFUSE SOMEONE APPROPRIATELY. Questions can be seen as follows:
Q 3: You've just been asked out to dinner but you don't want to go with the person who invited you. You might say:
       A.  I don't think so. I already have plans.                                             B. No, I don't enjoy being with you.
       D. I'm dieting so I mustn't go out to eat.                                              D. Thanks a lot but I'm busy tonight.
Q 4: Your friend's mother, Mrs. Keeler, asked if you would like something to eat. What would you say to refuse politely?
      A. No, thank you. You are so kind.                               B. Oh, no. Mrs.Keeler.
      C. No, thanks. I've just had lunch.                                D. I'm full and have no room for any more.
The key of Q 3 is D, but why A is inappropriate?  So how could we refuse others decently?
The key of Q 4 is C while I chose A. Why A and D are inappropriate?



THIRDLY, I want to know the appropriate way to THANK someone. In the following questions, I know the keys, but I am confused with  other options.
Q 5: Wu Hua had a question to ask his foreign teacher. He went to Professor Blake's place. After he got the answer, he got up to leave. He said: 
        A. Well, that's clear. Thank you very much.                          B. Thank you for your time / help.
The key of the question above is B. I wonder is that because A is not polite or formal? or is the problem with tone? Why A is inappropriate?


FOURTHLY, how to ENCOURAGE someone? Here is the question:
Q 6: Tom is talking to his schoolmate, David.   
        Tom,"How did you do on the exam, David?"  
        David,"I barely passed. I made a hopeless mess of it. I don't know why I did so poorly."
A. Just try to forget about it.    B. It doesn't matter.   C. Cheer up.   D. It's not worth worrying about. You'll do better next time.
The keys of Q 6 are ACD, but I completely can't get it. So I can't help thinking maybe there is something wrong with the keys. What do you think? I chose C only.


FIFTHLY, when someone thank you, how should you reply.
Q 7: Xiao Li works as a secretary in the International Computer Engineering Corporation. One day she worked very late. Her boss said to her,"Thanks a lot. You were a big help."   Xiao Li replies:
     A. It's my pleasure     B.You're welcome.
The answer is B. But in other tests, A is considered appropriate. So I got confused.

Apr 10, 2017 3:33 AM
Comments · 1
2

These are a lot of questions for one post.

I'll just deal with the first question. "Never mind" has the sense of "forget about it" or more accurately, "I wanted your help / I wanted to ask you something / I wanted to talk about this, but it seems pointless to continue so just forget I said anything. Don't think about it anymore."

April 10, 2017