The word "parties" in the passage most probably refers to ____.

Read the following passage and mark the letter A, B, C, or D to indicate the correct answer to each of the questions.

What is cultural diversity? Diversity is nothing more than a difference from the majority. In any culture, there is a majority and many minorities. Culture is a set of norms that set standards for a society of what is acceptable behavior.

In every culture, there are basic standards for social interaction such as personal space distance, eye contact, amount of body language displayed in public, negotiating style, etc. In America, we stand about eighteen inches apart when engaged in normal conversation; prefer very direct eye contact; are pretty demonstrative with body language and negotiate very directly, always asking the other party for their "bottom line”. In other cultures, they may stand closer or farther than we are comfortable, may view direct eye contact as rude, be more or less open to displaying body language and negotiate more indirectly.

In America, many of us have a peculiar habit of assuming that those who differ from our norms are wrong. We tend to view the world from a rather myopic view leading to those outside this country calling us "Ugly Americans".

Cultural diversity makes our country richer by making it a more interesting place in which to live. Just think how boring a meal would be without Chinese, Mexican, Japanese, Italian, German, French or Indian food!

Cultural diversity also makes our country stronger and better able to compete in the new global economy. People from diverse cultures bring language skills, new ways of thinking, creative solutions to difficult problems and negotiating skills.

In the past, ethnographers in the United States used to refer to our country as a melting pot where new immigrants would eventually be fully integrated into the American culture. This has obviously not happened so modern researchers have not begun to talk about America as a garden salad where different cultural diversity mixes with the European American culture to form a meal where all of the various ingredients are still readily identifiable.

Cultural diversity makes the United States a much more interesting place in which to live for all of its inhabitants. If we all thought alike imagine how boring the world would be! Thank God for diversity!

The best title of the passage could be ____.

Read the following passage and mark the letter A, B, C, or D to indicate the correct answer to each of the questions.

The tradition of gift giving is a worldwide practice that is said to have been around since the beginning of human beings. Over time, different cultures have developed their own gift giving customs and traditions.

In France, the gift of wine for the hostess of a dinner party is not an appropriate gift as the hostess would prefer to choose the vintage for the night. In Sweden, a bottle of wine or flowers are an appropriate gift for the hostess. In Viet Nam, a gift of whisky is appropriate for the host, and some fruit or small gifts for the hostess, children or elders of the home. Besides, gifts should never be wrapped in black paper because this color is unlucky and associated with funerals in this country. Gifts that symbolize cutting such as scissors, knives and other sharp objects should be avoided because they mean the cutting of the relationship. Also, in some countries you should not open the gift in front of the giver and in others it would be an insult if you did not open the gift.

Beyond the gift itself, give careful consideration to the manner in which it is presented. Different cultures have different customs regarding how a gift should be offered - using only your right hand or using both hands, for example. Others have strong traditions related to the appropriate way to accept a gift. In Singapore, for instance, it is the standard to graciously refuse a gift several times before finally accepting it. The recipient would never unwrap a gift in front of the giver for fear of appearing greedy.

Understanding these traditions and customs, as well as taking time to choose an appropriate gift, will help you to avoid any awkwardness or embarrassment as you seek to build a better cross-cultural relationship.

When did the tradition of gift-giving become popular all over the world?

Read the following passage and mark the letter A, B, C, or D to indicate the correct answer to each of the questions.

There is always conflict between people because we have different needs and wants. For example, you may want to see an action movie but your significant other wants to see a comedy or you may prefer eating at a Mexican restaurant while your spouse wants Chinese. However, you have known each other well for years and will work it out.

In the workplace, there is always conflict as well but it's usually more difficult to resolve than with personal relationships. There are differences between workers, between workers and supervisors, between departments, between companies, between companies and their customers, between companies and their governing bodies and on it goes. These relationships are usually not as deep or trusting as personal ones making resolving disputes more difficult and challenging.

Interestingly, most workplace conflict is totally unnecessary because they are usually the result of simple misunderstandings, miscommunications or small differences that could be easily resolved if the parties truly knew each other's motivations. Unfortunately, at work there is rarely the opportunity to develop deep personal relationships and when you add the complexity of cross-cultural differences and the gulf can seem insurmountable. Culture brings unique perspectives on deadlines, conflict resolution, speaking one's mind, working as a team and much more.

However, with a little training and education people will recognize that they have a lot more in common than they have differences. When cross-cultural conflict is resolved and employees with diverse backgrounds and skills start to work together, the potential and promise of diversity in the workplace can be fully realized.

It is stated in paragraph 1 that people come into conflict with each other because of their difference in ____.