International Exam Practice - Communication, news and media

• newEditor
• English
• University

International Exam Practice - Communication, news and media

Reading, listening, speaking

What is the definition of the term fake news?

A

Biased reporting of real events

B

Fabricated or misleading information presented as news online or through other media

C

Different accounts of the same news story

Which of these statements is correct?

A

All news stories have some truth

B

All news stories have some false information

C

False news stories can spread faster than real news

How does fake news spread?

A

Using images/videos taken out of context or edited to fit a certain narrative

B

People re-sharing posts without checking other news sources

C

Using sensational clickbait headlines

How do you avoid falling for fake news?

A

Not believing anything you see

B

Checking the source, date and other credible news sites

C

Checking to see if your friends believe it

German cricket-flavored scoops

1

true

2

fake

Squirrels refusing to leave

1

true

2

fake

A mystery bus

1

true

2

fake

Sausage vending machines

1

true

2

fake

1. Trustworthy news is more important than ever because the world is going through a period of

__ and unpredictability.

2. ___are the main source of news for most web users.

3. People often tend to choose the version that most agrees with ____ when they are offered differing accounts of an event.

4. Sharing unverified news stories with social media friends contributes to the ___

of false information.

5. Investigative reporters try to bring to light the relationship between apparently ___

   events.

6. Objective investigative journalism can ___

the spread of fake

news.

7. Through their work, investigative reporters try to make it easier for us to ___

   the world in which we live.

https://docs.google.com/document/d/1u1HvJm8-Fo1TdfSUdvQL0Vv2QX6MmFtWUS76isjFCgA/edit?usp=sharing

Match the expressions to their closest meaning.

1. erode

2. give free rein

3. trace the original source report

4. shield from scrutiny

5. bombarded with

a) protect something from being closely examined
b) allow something to happen without restriction
c) gradually weaken over time
d) exposed repeatedly and aggressively to information
e) identify where a piece of information first appeared

Fill in the blanks

1. Headlines designed to provoke outrage often provide only a superficial analysis of complex issues.

2. A clearly biased article can still influence readers who are unaware of the author’s agenda.

3. Repeating unverified claims can diminish public trust in journalism.

4. Emotional language may exacerbate social tensions instead of clarifying the facts.

superficial

biased

diminish

exacerbate

hinder

threaten

Fill in the blanks

5. Poor media literacy can hinder people’s ability to distinguish fact from opinion.

6. Democracy is threatened when false narratives dominate public discussion.

7. Readers who are tired or distracted are more susceptible to manipulation.

8. Sensational wording can make otherwise accurate information misleading.

hinder

threatened

susceptible to

misleading

Rewrite each sentence using the word in brackets without changing the meaning.

1. Repeated exposure made people believe the claim.
   (bombarded with)

2. Sensational stories influence how the public perceives an issue.
   (shape attitudes towards)

3. False information spreads quickly online without resistance.

(instantaneously, seamlessly)

The fake news is becoming increasingly common in the era of social media. While some people think that this trend is due to the access to publish user-generated content, others believe that it is because of the freedom of press.
Discuss both views and give your opinion.