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Basic Journalism MCQ

1. An example of the last stage of the critical process might be _____.

Writing a letter to a lawmaker asking her/him to support a specific media policy

A map better represents the fact that forms of culture exhibit multiple tendencies

A reduction in size and cost of books, making them more affordable for most people

A that elements of low culture are too challenging for most audiences

Answer

Correct Answer: Writing a letter to a lawmaker asking her/him to support a specific media policy

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2. The journalistic value of ______ represents a nostalgia for the old-fashioned rural community.

Experts In Journalism

Responsible Capitalism

Small-town Pastoralism

Individualism

Answer

Correct Answer: Responsible Capitalism

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3. In a process called _____, close friends reinforce deviant behavior through talk and interaction.

Deviancy training

Sports

Clique control

Answer

Correct Answer: Deviancy training

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4. Changing sex roles have created a more _____ family structure.

Egalitarian

Deviancy training

Sports

Clique control

Answer

Correct Answer: Egalitarian

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5. Social journalism or citizen journalism ________.

Is accurate most of the time

May not be as reliable as mainstream media sources

Is where everyone gets their news feeds

Is a good source for mostly facts

Answer

Correct Answer: May not be as reliable as mainstream media sources

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6. What is the top selling newspaper in the US?

USA Today

Los Angeles Times

New York Times

Wall Street Journal

Answer

Correct Answer: Wall Street Journal

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7. Which of the following describes the social and cultural impact the media makes on society?

Magic bullet theory

Macro-level effects

Meaning - Making Perspective

Mass society theory

Answer

Correct Answer: Macro-level effects

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8. An audio recording of a news maker used in a radio newscast is an

Sound clip

Actuality

News bite

Voicer

Answer

Correct Answer: Actuality

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9. What is another name for the inverted pyramid?

FUBL

FULB

BLUF

BLUB

Answer

Correct Answer: BLUF

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10. Avoid starting sentences with:

This is

While the

It is

As a

Answer

Correct Answer: It is

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11. What is a 'hard lead' ?

A lead that reports a new fact or development

A lead that has two or more important facts or developments

A lead that goes straight to the results or effect on people

A lead that uses a quote or an anecdote to attract the reader

Answer

Correct Answer: A lead that reports a new fact or development

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12. What is considered "copy"?

Stories run by other newspapers

Photos, illustrations, and written text

Photos and illustrations only

Written text only

Answer

Correct Answer: Photos, illustrations, and written text

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13. What is a broadcast story mainly referred to as?

Voiceover

Article

Package

Report

Answer

Correct Answer: Package

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14. A term used for protective investigative journalism is:

Propagandist journalism

Sherlock journalism

None of these

Guardian journalism

Answer

Correct Answer: None of these

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15. What information is NOT typically included in the masthead?

Contact information.

Number of pages.

Names of publisher(s).

(all of these)

Answer

Correct Answer: Number of pages.

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16. Who is most likely to have a pica pole?

Production editors

Advertising sales staff

Crime reporters

Photographers

Answer

Correct Answer: Production editors

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17. What information is NOT typically included in the folio?

Name of the reporter.

Page number.

Name of the newspaper.

Date of publication.

Answer

Correct Answer: Name of the reporter.

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18. What does "rag right" mean?

The right margin of a block of type is straight.

The text is justified on the right.

The text is justified on the left.

The right margin of a block of type is uneven.

Answer

Correct Answer: The right margin of a block of type is uneven.

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19. When was 'New Journalism' brought in?

1960s

1990s

1980s

1940s

Answer

Correct Answer: 1960s

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20. Which of the following protects reporters' privileges when forced to disclose confidential information?

All of these

Confidential law

Reporters' law

Shield law

Answer

Correct Answer: Shield law

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21. What is involved in layer 2 of reporting?

Proof-reading

Expert resources

Opinions

Least reliable sources

Answer

Correct Answer: Expert resources

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22. What is the paragraph that summarizes the background of an event?

Executive summary

Boilerplate

Closing

Nutgraph

Answer

Correct Answer: Nutgraph

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23. What is the legal term for false publication?

Plagiarism

Libel

Slander

Fabrication

Answer

Correct Answer: Libel

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24. What does the term 'deck' mean?

Subhead

Lead

Headline

Nutgraph

Answer

Correct Answer: Subhead

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25. In broadcast journalism, what is a SOT?

Sign of traffic

Sound over traffic

Sign off time

Sound on tape

Answer

Correct Answer: Sound on tape

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26. What does it mean to "dummy" a page?

Change the stories to be easier to read.

Add more photographs.

Recraft the page to be more appealing to the eye.

Build a chart that shows what goes where.

Answer

Correct Answer: Build a chart that shows what goes where.

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27. A journalist that has a strong orientation towards the audience is often called a:

Opportunist facilitator

Critical change agent

Tabloid journalist

Populist disseminator

Answer

Correct Answer: Populist disseminator

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28. What is 'Yellow' journalism?

(all of these)

Writing which emphasizes exaggerated claims or rumors

Writing that advocates particular views

A highly personal style of writing

Answer

Correct Answer: Writing which emphasizes exaggerated claims or rumors

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29. A business or manufacturer who wants a story that mentions their products or services must always pay for advertising before their story makes it to editorial copy.

False

Depends on how much money the company makes.

True

Answer

Correct Answer: False

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30. True or False? A 'news hole' is the journalism space in a newspaper after advertisements.

False

True

Answer

Correct Answer: True

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31. What is a "reader?"

A broadcast story with NO added video or sound elements.

A story you read in any print publication

A broadcast story with ONLY added video elements.

A broadcast story with ONLY added sound elements.

Answer

Correct Answer: A broadcast story with NO added video or sound elements.

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32. The NY Times wrote an article about the explosion of the USS Maine in Havana Harbor that was branded as Spanish sabotage, without providing any evidence. What type of journalism is this?

Investigative journalism

Yellow journalism

Political journalism

Propagandist journalism

Answer

Correct Answer: Yellow journalism

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33. Which of the following is NOT a news agency?

Reuters

The Associated Press

Agence France-Presse

The Chicago Tribune

Answer

Correct Answer: The Chicago Tribune

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34. What's the difference between broadsheet and tabloid newspapers?

Broadsheet newspapers are only printed in the South.

Broadsheet newspapers focus on the financial sector.

Tabloid newspapers have fewer crime stories.

Tabloid newspapers are printed on narrower paper.

Answer

Correct Answer: Tabloid newspapers are printed on narrower paper.

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35. A publication's circulation is measured by:

The number of cities where it is available.

The number of copies distributed to subscribers.

The number of other publications who cite it.

The number of copies sold.

Answer

Correct Answer: The number of copies sold.

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36. A "cutline" is most commonly placed:

At the beginning of a news article.

Under a photo or illustration.

Beneath the masthead.

In the middle of a feature article.

Answer

Correct Answer: Under a photo or illustration.

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37. A "feature" story means the story:

Is broken up into several sections.

Will be placed prominently on the front page.

Is presented in several newspapers at once.

Has news value, but is also meant to entertain a reader.

Answer

Correct Answer: Has news value, but is also meant to entertain a reader.

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38. What is a "column inch"?

A recurring feature with editorial content.

The number of words in an inch of newspaper text.

The space taken by a column of text one inch high.

The space taken by one newspaper story.

Answer

Correct Answer: The space taken by a column of text one inch high.

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39. True of False: A press release and a public service announcement (PSA) are written for exactly the same purpose. It makes no sense as to why they're called different things.

False

True

Depends on who is circulating the PSA or press release.

Answer

Correct Answer: False

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40. Which best describes the term 'Muckraker' ?

Magazine journalists that document celebrities' lives

tabloid journalists that spread lies

A novice journalist reporting on small interest stories

one who spreads alleged scandals about others for political advantage

Answer

Correct Answer: one who spreads alleged scandals about others for political advantage

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41. What does it mean to "scoop" another news organization?

To buy their newspaper and re-name it.

To steal a story they've already printed.

To bring a story to print first.

To hire away their best reporter.

Answer

Correct Answer: To bring a story to print first.

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42. Writings that are very opinionated and expose wild claims are often described as:

Civic journalism

Investigative journalism

Gonzo journalism

Tabloid journalism

Answer

Correct Answer: Tabloid journalism

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43. A jumpline should tell the reader:

What page a story continues on.

Who presented a specific fact.

The name of the photographer.

What part of the story is most important.

Answer

Correct Answer: What page a story continues on.

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44. What is "beat" reporting?

Column writing.

Reporting on a regular basis.

Reporting on a specific topic or location.

Poetry writing.

Answer

Correct Answer: Reporting on a specific topic or location.

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45. In newspaper typesetting, what are widows and orphans?

Short lines of text at the beginning or end of columns that leave white space.

Paragraphs that are used to pad stories that are too short.

Long lines of text that serve no purpose.

Short lines of text that are used to form a circle.

Answer

Correct Answer: Short lines of text at the beginning or end of columns that leave white space.

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46. Which of the following represents a conflict of interest for a reporter?

A story the reporter finds exceptionally interesting.

A story the reporter does not understand.

A story with more than two sources.

A story whose publication will benefit the reporter.

Answer

Correct Answer: A story whose publication will benefit the reporter.

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47. To compete with online and continuous news outlets, small newspapers should sensationalize the news.

False

True

Answer

Correct Answer: False

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48. True or False? Press syndicates are agencies that sell to newspapers, other special media, and artwork.

True

False

Answer

Correct Answer: True

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49. True or False? Hearst and Pulitzer had a publication war.

False

True

Answer

Correct Answer: True

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50. The first obligation a journalist has is to his or her...

sources

newspaper bosses

editors

advertisers

readers

Answer

Correct Answer: readers

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51. When applying for a job as a reporter, a publisher or editor (whoever is doing the hiring) may ask for what credentials

C. College degree in communications, English, journalism or some related field

A. Writing samples

B. Job references

A, B, and C

D. Flawless driving skills

Answer

Correct Answer: A, B, and C

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52. When a news source asks to review the reporter's story before it goes to press, most news papers:

Are willing to verify quotes with the source for accuracy but will not allow them to see the full story before it is published.

Completely agree to share all of the story's content for the source's review and final approval

Ask the source to buy advertising first and then they will let them review the editorial copy before it goes to print

Expect the source to edit the reporters work, since the news source is the one who provided the facts in the first place

Answer

Correct Answer: Are willing to verify quotes with the source for accuracy but will not allow them to see the full story before it is published.

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53. Which of the following is likely to issue a press release?

A radio station.

A private organization or business.

A national magazine.

A local newspaper.

Answer

Correct Answer: A private organization or business.

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54. What does "above the fold" refer to?

Top half of the front page.

A perfect interview subject.

An anonymous source.

Top half of the back page.

Answer

Correct Answer: Top half of the front page.

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55. What is the inverted pyramid?

The steps of validating your references

The ladder of opportunities that a journalist can achieve

Illustrates the placing of the least important information first within a text

Illustrates the placing of the most important information first within a text

Answer

Correct Answer: Illustrates the placing of the most important information first within a text

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56. A leading question used by an interviewer is designed to do what?

To get the interviewee to elaborate on a previous answer.

To lead the interviewee into a different topic

To lead the interviewee to answer a question in a particular way.

Answer

Correct Answer: To lead the interviewee to answer a question in a particular way.

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57. Which of the following is considered soft news?

A car was stolen in a small, local town.

A set of twins in New York City is celebrating their 75th birthday together.

A set of twins in New York City robbed a bank together.

Sochi has been selected to host the Olympics.

Answer

Correct Answer: A set of twins in New York City is celebrating their 75th birthday together.

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58. True or False? Pack journalism is when reporters rely on each other for information

False

True

Answer

Correct Answer: True

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59. When a good reporter is uncertain of a fact they will...

flag it so the copy desk knows to double check

post online and crowdsource the error

confirm it before sending the story along

assume their editor will catch

Answer

Correct Answer: confirm it before sending the story along

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60. For online editions of a newspaper, reporters should focus more on getting the news posted quickly than on getting all the facts correct.

False

True

Answer

Correct Answer: False

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61. The lead is often found where?

In the body of the writing

First two sentences

Last two sentences

After the introduction

Answer

Correct Answer: First two sentences

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62. Which term describes how journalism should be more devoted to finding solutions to society's problems?

Yellow journalism

Gonzo journalism

Civic journalism

Populist disseminator

Answer

Correct Answer: Civic journalism

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63. Alternative Press are:

All of these

Local

Weekly

Free

Answer

Correct Answer: All of these

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64. It's ethical for a reporter to accept a gift from an article's subject when:

The subject is grateful for the story.

The subject is eager to have a story printed.

It is never ethical to accept a gift from a subject.

The subject is a good friend or family member.

Answer

Correct Answer: It is never ethical to accept a gift from a subject.

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65. How many stories does it take to fill a news budget?

20 per edition

10 per edition

5 per page

It varies from edition to edition.

Answer

Correct Answer: It varies from edition to edition.

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66. Why do news stories require multiple sources?

One source may not be trustworthy.

One source might give incomplete, if correct, facts.

All of the above.

One source might have the facts wrong.

Answer

Correct Answer: All of the above.

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67. Breaking news is...

News that is happening at that moment and may affect viewers.

Something law enforcement needs to afddress

Something that Humpty Dumpty had issues with.

Something that can wait until deadline

Something that needs to be fixed.

Answer

Correct Answer: News that is happening at that moment and may affect viewers.

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68. True or False? A disaster is considered soft news

True

False

Answer

Correct Answer: False

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69. A common format for asking investigative questions begins with the letters WWWW and H. In journalism, these letters mean

Wishing Words Would Write and Hypnotize

Whoever, Whatever, Whenever, Wherever and However

Writing With Wit, Wisdom and Humor

Who, What, When, Where and How

Answer

Correct Answer: Who, What, When, Where and How

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70. What are the 5 W's in news reporting?

Who, What, When, Where, Why.

Who, when, whatever, which, way

why, what whom, who, when

When what, where, witch, way

Answer

Correct Answer: Who, What, When, Where, Why.

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71. True or False? Stories about lifestyles and trends are called 'soft news'.

False

True

Answer

Correct Answer: True

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72. What is 'Watchdog' journalism?

Writings about new trend alerts

Writings about dogs

No such thing

Type of writing that warns citizens with information about those that are doing them harm

Answer

Correct Answer: Type of writing that warns citizens with information about those that are doing them harm

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73. What is the name of the U.S. award for achievements in journalism?

Ivy Prize

Columbia Prize

Pulitzer Prize

Hearst Prize

Answer

Correct Answer: Pulitzer Prize

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74. Why do editors prefer to measure story length in characters, rather than words?

Characters are vital to a good story.

Computers are better at counting characters.

Characters more accurately reflect physical space.

The numbers are larger and more impressive.

Answer

Correct Answer: Characters more accurately reflect physical space.

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75. What is a "nut" graf?

The paragraph that reveals the story's sources.

The paragraph that explains why the story is significant.

The paragraph that describes the people involved.

The paragraph that ends the story.

Answer

Correct Answer: The paragraph that explains why the story is significant.

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76. The one amendment that most journalists concern themselves with in regards to free speech is:

The Second Amendment

The Fifth Amendment

The Third Amendment

The Fourth Amendment

The First Amendment

Answer

Correct Answer: The First Amendment

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Journalism MCQs | Topic-wise

MCQ on Different Categories Trigger Distinct Treatment	MCQ on Electronic Media Regulation
MCQ on Libel and Emotional Distress	MCQ on Opportunities and Obstacles for Journalism
MCQ on Press Freedom In and About the Courts	MCQ on Protecting Privacy and Conflicts Between the Press and Government
MCQ on Protecting and Using Intangible Creations	MCQ on Rule of Law and Communicational Environment
MCQ on Social Norms and Legal Standards	MCQ on Speech and Commerce Converge
General Journalism MCQs