In which type of culture is communication more implicit and relies less on the spoken word?

• A. Low Context Cultures
• B. High Context Cultures
• C. Individualistic Cultures
• D. Culture Shock

Answer: (B)

This item centers on how culture shapes communication style. In high-context cultures, much meaning is embedded in the surrounding context—relationships, status, shared experiences, and nonverbal cues—so messages are often implicit and rely less on spoken words. People interpret much through tone, silence, and situational cues, rather than through explicit wording. In contrast, low-context cultures communicate more directly and rely on precise verbal expression. While cultural value orientations like individualism or collectivism influence communication, they don’t define the implicit-versus-explicit pattern as clearly as high-context versus low-context differences do. Culture shock isn’t a culture type. So the type that best fits the description is high-context cultures.