Deck 11: Mass Media

Question 1

Which of the following is NOT a component of the three-tiered model of thinking?

A) experience
B) interpretation
C) analysis
D) literacy

Answer 1

D
Explanation: The three-tiered model of thinking consists of three components: experience, interpretation, and analysis. Experience is simply gathering information. Interpretation involves understanding that information. Finally, analysis is critically evaluating your interpretation of the information you have gathered.

Question 2

Which of the following is true of reporting and science?

A) Most reporters are trained in science.
B) Reporters may intentionally distort science.
C) Reporters strictly avoid sensationalizing scientific reports.
D) The major news stations require all reporters reporting on scientific results to have a graduate degree in a scientific field.

Answer 2

B
Explanation: Most reporters are not trained in science, and so they may distort scientific results unintentionally by simply reporting a poor understanding of a scientific result or even reporting something as good science that is not. Sometimes reporters will intentionally distort scientific results either to have a more attractive story or to push some bias.

Question 3

Which of the following is true of the Internet?

A) It is controlled completely by a small group of large corporations.
B) It is only accessible to people with phones.
C) It is often a source of biased information.
D) None of these answers is correct.

Answer 3

C
Explanation: The Internet is unlike many traditional forms of media in being decentralized and open to anyone that can afford an Internet connection. However, these features also have downsides. Anyone can post virtually anything they like on the Internet, regardless of their goals or biases.

Question 4

Which of the following is true of Internet use?

A) College freshmen spend more time on the Web than studying.
B) College freshmen steal most of their papers from Internet sources.
C) The average Internet user in the U.S. spends six hours on the Internet every day.
D) All of these answers are correct.

Question 5

Which of the following is a question you should ask yourself when evaluating a scientific report?

A) Where was the scientific study first published?
B) Do the scientific results conflict with my religious views?
C) Is the reporter a recognized expert in the field?
D) All of these answers are correct.

Question 6

Which of the following is true of the typical half-hour local newscast?

A) It spends the majority of its broadcast time on U.S. foreign policy.
B) It spends more time on U.S. foreign policy than on sports and weather combined.
C) It spends only half as much time on U.S. foreign policy as on sports and weather.
D) It spends about one-thirteenth as much time on U.S. foreign policy as on sports and weather.

Question 7

Which of the following best describes niche media?

A) media intended for very large audiences
B) media intended for juvenile audiences
C) media intended for audiences with special interests
D) media intended for audiences in a particular line of employment

Question 8

As of 2012,about how many people worldwide used the Internet?

A) 1 million
B) 78 million
C) 2 billion
D) 13 billion

Question 9

Which of the following is a way that the news media can bias a report?

A) by presenting all sides of an issue
B) by choosing which experts to interview
C) by not accepting sponsorships
D) None of these answers is correct.

Question 10

Which of the following is the ability to understand,critically analyze,and effectively use the media?

A) media literacy
B) plagiarism
C) media experience
D) media bias

Question 11

Which age-range of adults are most likely to regularly follow the news?

A) 18-29
B) 30-49
C) 50-64
D) 65+

Question 12

Studies suggest what percentage of college students have plagiarized?

A) 5 percent
B) 10 percent
C) 40 percent
D) 60 percent

Question 13

Which of the following is not an instance of bias in the news?

A) a report featuring information on jobs provided by the U.S. Department of Labor
B) a news program on job happiness that relies on surveys carried out only on males
C) a news program that reports on worker happiness at Walmart, which is geared to make its sponsor, Walmart, look good
D) All of these answers are correct.

Question 14

Which of the following is a goal of the news media?

A) to inform the public about issues of importance
B) to appeal to a large audience
C) to present the news in an entertaining manner
D) All of these answers are correct.

Question 15

Whose purchase of the Wall Street Journal and other media outlets created concern that the media may,as a result,become too partisan?

A) Ophray Winfrey
B) Rupert Murdoch
C) Bob Woodward
D) Joe Biden

Question 16

How many hours per day does the average American spend in using forms of media such as the Internet,television,and magazines?

A) one
B) five
C) nine
D) twelve

Question 17

Which of the following is a common victim of plagiarism?

A) the reader
B) the original author of the material
C) the plagiarizer
D) All of these answers are correct.

Question 18

The media's role in keeping the population of a democratic society informed is referred to as which of the following?

A) the fourth branch of government
B) big brother
C) socialization media
D) the all seeing eye

Question 19

Which of the following pairs were key in reporting the Watergate scandal to the public?

A)Katie Couric and Jay Leno
B)Edward Snowden and Vladimir Putin
C)Bob Woodward and Carl Bernstein
D)Edward Murrow and John D.Rockefeller

Question 20

Which of the following is a way that a reporter may introduce inaccuracies into a report involving scientific issues?

A) interpreting a scientific result using cultural biases
B) oversimplifying a scientific result
C) emphasizing controversial aspects of science
D) All of these answers are correct.

Question 21

Most people are aware of how much media they consume.

Question 22

Analysis of media is best done as a group.

Question 23

Journalists and reporters almost always resist the temptation to report sensational stories.

Question 24

People tend to believe information that is presented as science.

Question 25

Newspaper publication has recently surged.

Question 26

"Mass media" refers to forms of media intended for very large audiences.

Question 27

Press releases from the subjects of reports are almost always reliable.

Question 28

News organizations often report stories that upset sponsors.

Question 29

If a reporter simply reports information without providing any opinion,then the report will be objective.

Question 30

The government sometimes pays journalists to promote government views.

Question 31

Government officials can manipulate the news by selectively giving access to preferred news outlets.

Question 32

Studies confirm that the media today has a liberal bias.

Question 33

Scientific sources are generally available to the public.

Question 34

The skin and hair color of Cro-Magnon and Neanderthals is known.

Question 35

Studies show that college students who are regular social network users get higher grades.

Question 36

The Internet contains only reliable information.

Question 37

Scientists always report their findings regardless of the nature of the results.

Question 38

Journalists can tailor their reports to their target audience by selectively choosing their sources.

Question 39

Five percent of Internet search engine requests are for pornography.

Question 40

Business has no influence on the content of mass media.