Exam-like Test

A world of many cultures

School: ________________________________

English Test Block 1: A world of many cultures

Student: __________________________________Class: 11th ___________________ Date: ___/___/___
Your final task is to write a biography about a culturally tolerant person.
Activities A and B will provide you with input for Activity C.
_____________________________________________________________________________________________

Activity A
1 From the list below (A to G), identify the three statements that apply to writing a biography.
(6 marks)

A. You should write relevant information about the persons personal and professional life.
B. You should divide your text into 2-3 clear paragraphs about different aspects of the persons life: birth
details, academic and professional career, major influences and personal qualities.
C. You should use informal language.
D. You can only write a biography about a person who has died.
E. You should give your personal opinion about the person who you are writing about.
F. You should use a variety of adjectives, adverbs and linking expressions.
G. You have to use humour and irony.
2 From the list below (A to D), choose one tip about being culturally tolerant and justify your
answer. Write between 40-80 words.
(8 marks)
To be culturally tolerant you should:
A. learn to speak as many languages as you can.
B. avoid judging people based on their nationality, colour, culture or sex.
C. try to understand and respect all cultures equally.
D. find out more about a culture and get to know it well.
3 Complete the following text about examples of culturally tolerant people with seven
words/expressions from the box below.
(14 marks)
Use each word or expression only once.
Write only the letters and numbers.
1. while; 2. but; 3. despite; 4. fundamental; 5. in spite of; 6. instead; 7. among; 8. thus; 9. along; 10.
carefully; 11. only

On the day of its fiftieth anniversary, 16 November 1995, UNESCOs Member States adopted a
Declaration of Principles on Tolerance. a. __________ other things, the Declaration affirms that
tolerance is neither indulgence nor indifference. b. __________ it is the respect and appreciation of the
rich variety of our worlds cultures, our forms of expression and ways of being human. c. __________
tolerance recognises the universal human rights and d. __________ freedoms of others. People are
naturally diverse; e. __________ tolerance can ensure the survival of mixed communities in every region
of the globe.
f. __________ with outright injustice and violence, discrimination and marginalisation are common
forms of intolerance. Education for tolerance should aim at countering influences that lead to fear and
exclusion of others, and should help young people develop capacities for independent judgement,
critical thinking and ethical reasoning. The diversity of our worlds many religions, languages, cultures
and ethnicities is not a pretext for conflict, g. __________ a treasure that enriches us all.
Source: http://unesco.org
4 Complete the following paragraph about cultural tolerance with words formed from the
ones given in brackets.
(12 marks)
Write only the letters and the corresponding words.

Focus on the Importance of Tolerance

Multicultural communities possess a rich blend of cultural traditions from all over the world. The
differences or a. __________ (diverse) that come from people b. __________ (rich) cultures by
bringing new ideas. The c. __________ (promote) of tolerance is key to managing differences and
fundamental to human rights and peace.
Tolerance helps us to coexist d. __________ (peace) with people from different cultures, races and
religions, different ages, backgrounds, gender and sexual orientation.

Activity B
Read the following text.

About CQ (Cultural Intelligence)

10

15

20

25

In todays ever increasingly global and diverse contexts (work and non-work), it is important to
be aware of Cultural Intelligence. This includes awareness of your own Cultural Intelligence
and awareness of the Cultural Intelligence of others.
So what exactly is Cultural Intelligence (CQ)? It is a persons capability to function effectively in
situations characterised by cultural diversity. CQ is a critical capability that enhances employee,
manager, and organisational effectiveness. It also enhances interpersonal interactions in a
wide range of social contexts. Thus, it is evident why cultural awareness is so important
nowadays.
Contemporary research has identified multiple types of intelligence. These include: IQ
General mental ability, EQ Emotional Intelligence and CQ Cultural Intelligence. Cultural
intelligence is an individual capability that is consistent with contemporary conceptualisations
of intelligence because it recognises that intelligence is more than general mental ability.
Understanding different types of intelligence allows us to differentiate specific capabilities that
have relevance in different situations. For example, general mental ability is important in most
problem solving and work situations.
General mental ability, however, does not necessarily mean effectiveness in managing personal
emotions or being responsive to the emotions of others (EQ).
Likewise, general mental ability does not necessarily mean effectiveness in situations
characterised by cultural diversity (CQ). Like these other forms of intelligence, CQ complements
IQ (Cognitive Intelligence) by focusing on specific capabilities that are important for high
quality personal relationships and effectiveness in culturally diverse settings. Cultural
intelligence provides insights about individual capabilities to cope with multi-cultural
situations, engage in cross-cultural interactions, and perform in culturally diverse work groups.
It should be stressed that Cultural Intelligence is an individual capability. This means it is not
an aspect of personality or personal interests. It is a set of capabilities that lead to specific
outcomes such as decision-making, performance, and adjustment in culturally diverse
settings. As is common knowledge, these capabilities are more and more essential in the
multicultural world that we live in today. Without them global peace amongst many other
things will remain a hopeful dream.
Source: http://culturalq.com

1 Identify four types of intelligences.

(12 marks)

2 From the list below (A to E), choose two options to complete the statement according (10
marks)

to the text.
Write only the letters.
The author supports the view that cultural intelligence is important because:
A. Nowadays we live in a global world, which is characterised by diversity.
B. It is the secret of the business world.
C. It helps you to understand and get along with people who are different to you and your culture.
D. It is a collective capability.
E. It helps you develop your personality and personal interests.
3 Complete the following sentences with the information from the text.

(18 marks)

A. Cultural intelligence implies _______________________________________________________.

B. Understanding different types of intelligences means that we ____________________________.
C. Personality or personal interests ___________________________________________________.
4 Find words/expressions in paragraphs 1, 2 that have a similar meaning to the words/
expressions below. There is only one word/expression for each.
(15 marks)
Write only the letters and corresponding answers.
A. different
B. well
C. brings out
5 Identify what the following refer to.

(15

marks)

Write only the letters and corresponding answers.

A. This (l. 2)
B. It (l. 4)
C. us (l. 13)
6 Explain the meaning of the following expressions in the text.

(10

marks)

Write only the letters and corresponding answers.

A. In todays ever increasingly global and diverse contexts (l. 1)
B. allows us to differentiate specific capabilities (l. 13)

Activity C

(80 marks)

Nelson Mandela was an important and influential culturally tolerant example for the world to
follow. Read the following details about his life and write his biography.
Write between 150-200 words.
You may use the input provided by activities A and B.
Name:
Date of Birth:
Died on:
Studies:
Profession:
Religion:
Political movements:

Advocate
Methodist
Joined African National Congress in 1944.
Sentenced to life imprisonment June, 21, 1964.
Released February, 11, 1991

Achievements:

1991 Elected President of the ANC

1993 Won Nobel peace prize

Personal qualities:

1994 Became South Africas first black president

intelligent, multicultural, accepting, calm, educated,
reserved, inspiring,
influential

END