Question 1

Depictions of death in the mass media, in which the symbolic use of death contributes to an "irrational dread of dying and thus to a diminished vitality and self-direction in life" is referred to as

Accepted Answer

The term "mean world syndrome" refers to the phenomenon where repeated exposure to violent or negative media content can create a belief among viewers that the world is a more dangerous and violent place than it actually is. Depictions of death in the media can contribute to this syndrome and cause people to have an irrational fear of death, which can lead to a diminished sense of vitality and self-direction in life. Media overload, communication depression syndrome, and secondary trauma are not terms commonly used to describe this phenomenon.

Question 2

Substitutions of vague words or phrases for ones considered harsh are

Accepted Answer

Substitutions of vague words or phrases for ones considered harsh are called euphemisms, which are milder or more indirect expressions used in place of a harsh or unpleasant one. Examples of euphemisms can include saying someone has "passed away" instead of "died," or saying someone is "let go" instead of "fired."

Question 3

Avoiding words like dead or dying, instead using phrases in which loved ones "pass away," the deceased is "laid to rest" and the corpse is "remains", is an example of

Accepted Answer

This is an example of euphemisms, which are mild or indirect expressions used instead of ones that are harsh, unpleasant or taboo.

Question 4

Media experts say that the "reality violence" on TV news began with coverage of the

Accepted Answer

Media experts say that the "reality violence" on TV news began with coverage of the Vietnam War. The widespread coverage of the war, including graphic images and footage, brought the violence of war into people's homes on a daily basis. This created a new standard for television news coverage, which became more focused on capturing dramatic and violent events as they occurred.

Question 5

According to George Gerbner, the "mean world syndrome" describes depictions of death in the mass media as embedded in a structure of violence that conveys

Accepted Answer

According to George Gerbner, the "mean world syndrome" portrays death in the mass media as embedded in a structure of violence that conveys a heightened sense of danger.

Question 6

Brief standardized printed statements following the death of an average citizen are called

Accepted Answer

Death notices are standardized printed statements following the death of an average citizen that provide basic information such as the person's name, date of death, and funeral arrangements. Obituaries, on the other hand, are more detailed and written in a narrative form, highlighting the person's life and accomplishments. Thanatographs and death dirges are not commonly used terms.

Question 7

In traditional Hawaiian culture, mele kanikau may have been carefully composed or spontaneous and used

Accepted Answer

Mele kanikau were traditionally used during the funeral procession in Hawaiian culture. They were songs of mourning and remembrance, honoring the deceased and expressing grief and loss.

Question 8

The Dies Irae (Day of Wrath) is a musical symbol of death found in

Accepted Answer

The Dies Irae (Day of Wrath) is a famous Medieval Latin hymn about the Judgment Day, which has been used by many composers as a musical symbol of death. Liszt's Totentanz (Dance of Death) is a famous work for piano and orchestra that features the Dies Irae theme prominently, making it the best choice among the given options. Rimsky-Korsakov's Capriccio Espagnol, Copland's Appalachian Spring Suite, and Berlioz's Roman Carnival Overture do not feature the Dies Irae theme as a prominent musical symbol of death.

Question 9

In literature, the meaning of death is often explored as it relates to the individual as well as

Accepted Answer

Death is often portrayed in literature as a reflection of societal beliefs and values. It can represent the attitudes of a society towards mortality, grief, and loss. It is also used to explore social or political issues such as war, poverty, and injustice, as they contribute to the loss of life. Additionally, literature can examine how society responds to death, such as through rituals and mourning practices. Literature can also offer critiques of societal perspectives on death, such as challenging traditional views of death or offering alternatives to mainstream funeral practices.

Question 10

In Gerbner's "mean world syndrome", the symbolic use of death contributes to
1) an irrational dread of dying.
2) diminished vitality.
3) diminished self-direction in life.
4) an increased hoarding of weapons.

Accepted Answer

Gerbner's "mean world syndrome" suggests that heavy exposure to media, particularly violent content, leads to perceptions of the world as more dangerous than it actually is. This can result in an irrational dread of dying (1), diminished vitality (2), and diminished self-direction in life (3), as individuals become more fearful and suspicious. There is no direct link established between mean world syndrome and an increased hoarding of weapons (4).

Question 11

What is the form of speech acknowledging the reality of death while distancing us from the dead, for example, "He was fond of music"?

Accepted Answer

The form of speech described in the question is the indicative voice, which is the most common form of speech. It simply states a fact, such as "He was fond of music," without any emotional or personal attachment to the subject. It acknowledges the reality of death but does not express any empathy or emotion towards the deceased.

Question 12

Snuffed, ate it, wasted, and croaked are examples of

Accepted Answer

Snuffed, ate it, wasted, and croaked are all slang terms used to refer to someone or something dying, making them examples of death talk. Laments are expressions of sorrow or grief, not necessarily related to death. American language dirges do not exist as a category, and monolithic variables are not relevant to the given words.

Question 13

All of the following are musical expressions associated with death EXCEPT

Accepted Answer

"Hautsang" is not a commonly known musical expression associated with death.

Question 14

Themes of loss and death are heard in

Accepted Answer

Loss and death are common themes in all three options - classical music often includes requiems and dirges, American blues music frequently addresses the pain of losing a loved one or dealing with mortality, and laments across cultures serve as a form of mourning for those who have passed away.

Question 15

Thanatos, from Greek mythology, is generally understood as a response to the

Accepted Answer

Thanatos is the personification of death in Greek mythology.

Question 16

Deaths of the famous are likely to be announced on the newspaper's front page as well as via feature-length

Accepted Answer

Obituaries are a detailed account of the life and achievements of a person who has passed away, and are often published in newspapers and other media outlets. They are usually reserved for prominent people such as politicians, celebrities, and other public figures, and are often featured on the front page of newspapers.

Question 17

What do some commentators call the new "porn star" of popular culture?

Accepted Answer

The corpse is often referred to as the new "porn star" of popular culture due to its frequent and detailed depiction in various media forms, reflecting society's fascination with death and the macabre.

Question 18

A feature length story on the death of someone famous is a/an

Accepted Answer

An obituary is a feature length story that announces and commemorates the death of someone famous or noteworthy. It usually includes a biography, notable accomplishments, and details about the individual's life and contributions. A mediamac, lossography, and journalist's life review are not commonly used terms in journalism to describe an obituary.

Question 19

After someone dies, conversations about that person move from present to past tense. This form of speech is called the

Accepted Answer

The past tense is used when talking about someone who has died, and this follows the indicative voice, which is used to make statements and convey facts. The other options are incorrect: A is a term sometimes used in psychology to describe how people construct stories about death; B is not related to grammar; and C refers to a specific verb form used to express hypothetical or imaginary situations, which is not typically used when discussing someone who has actually died.

Question 20

Which of the following is NOT a musical expression associated with death?

Accepted Answer

Elegy, Requiem, and Keening are all musical expressions associated with death, whereas Veil tale is not a known musical expression associated with death.

Quiz 1: Attitudes Toward Death: a Climate of Change