Vivian, an african american, finds that she seems to explain how she and janet, a european american, became friends much more frequently than she has to explain her friendships with other african americans. sometimes she and janet laugh about the curiosity of others. vivian and janet have encountered a challenge to intercultural relationships.

Vivian and Janet have encountered  the need for explanation, a challenge to intercultural relationships.

Explanation:

Vivian, as an African American, has to explain how she became friends with Janet, an European American, because people assume that cultural differences between African Americans and European Americans are too big to be overcome.

d. i assume the underlined word is "role." reformat if it isn't.

explanation:

role is closest to part because when replacing words, "playing a vital decision," "playing a vital activity," and "playing a vital dollar" don't make logical sense. the only meaningful choice is "playing a vital part."

this fits one of merriam-webster's definitions of role: "a function or part performed especially in a particular operation or process."

recent improvements in technology/telecommunication/internet have increased the pace of globalization.

explanation:

recent improvements in technology have enhanced the pace of globalization. it is not difficult to recognize that technology has created the human race one big issue. there are several aspects to technology but they all serve to meet us the further. i can beat and be friends with a fellow, thousands of miles away. technology has also bridged the knowledge gap and has presented for the ready transfer of ideas and values.