Journalism Quiz Questions And Answers

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Journalism Quiz Questions And Answers - Quiz

Here are some Journalism quiz questions and answers. These journalism MCQ questions are going to be the test of your knowledge on this subject. If you really think you know a lot about journalism, then attempt this quiz and correctly answer as many questions from this quiz as you can. In the end, your score will be a reflection of your understanding of this subject. Best of luck and have fun!


Questions and Answers
  • 1. 

    What is a creative lead?

    • A.

      The main idea of a feature story

    • B.

      A piece of information that attracts and keeps the reader interested

    • C.

      A point in the story where the reader loses interest

    • D.

      The angle of a story

    Correct Answer
    B. A piece of information that attracts and keeps the reader interested
    Explanation
    A creative lead refers to a piece of information that captures the attention of the reader and maintains their interest throughout the story. It is the hook or opening statement that grabs the reader's attention and entices them to continue reading. The creative lead is crucial in engaging the reader and setting the tone for the rest of the story, making it an essential element in effective storytelling.

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  • 2. 

    What is soft news?

    • A.

      News that’s based on opinions, not facts

    • B.

      News that’s entertaining or interesting

    • C.

      News that’s circulated on the Internet, not on paper

    • D.

      Advice columns

    Correct Answer
    B. News that’s entertaining or interesting
    Explanation
    Soft news refers to news that is entertaining or interesting rather than being hard-hitting or serious. It often includes human interest stories, celebrity gossip, lifestyle articles, and other light-hearted topics. Soft news is designed to engage and entertain readers rather than providing them with in-depth information or analysis. It is commonly found in magazines, tabloids, and online platforms, and it aims to capture the reader's attention through engaging storytelling and relatable content.

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  • 3. 

    What is hard news?

    • A.

      News that covers hard to understand topics

    • B.

      News that’s based on opinions, not facts

    • C.

      News that affects an entire group of people

    • D.

      The only kind of news there is

    Correct Answer
    C. News that affects an entire group of people
    Explanation
    Hard news refers to news that has a significant impact on a large group of people. It is not limited to covering hard to understand topics or being based on opinions. Instead, hard news focuses on reporting facts and events that are of public interest and have the potential to affect a wide audience. This type of news often includes topics such as politics, economics, disasters, and major social issues.

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  • 4. 

    What do profile stories focus on?

    • A.

      A group’s behavior

    • B.

      An individual

    • C.

      Celebrity interviews only

    • D.

      Current events

    Correct Answer
    B. An individual
    Explanation
    Profile stories focus on an individual. These types of stories delve into the life, background, experiences, and achievements of a specific person. They aim to provide a comprehensive and in-depth understanding of the individual's personality, character, and impact on society. Profile stories often highlight the unique qualities, struggles, and successes of the individual, offering readers or viewers a closer look into their life and accomplishments.

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  • 5. 

    What is meant by the balance in a news story?

    • A.

      Getting a lawyer’s opinion before writing an article.

    • B.

      Having several authors write a story.

    • C.

      Covering all sides of an issue as fairly as possible.

    • D.

      Giving the same amount of space to every paragraph.

    Correct Answer
    C. Covering all sides of an issue as fairly as possible.
    Explanation
    The balance in a news story refers to the practice of covering all sides of an issue as fairly as possible. This means presenting multiple perspectives, including different opinions, viewpoints, and arguments, in order to provide a comprehensive and unbiased account of the topic being reported. By doing so, journalists aim to ensure that the news story is fair, accurate, and informative for the readers or viewers. It is important for news organizations to maintain balance in their reporting to uphold journalistic ethics and provide a well-rounded understanding of the subject matter.

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  • 6. 

    Your choice of a source should depend on________________.

    • A.

      The source’s popularity

    • B.

      The source’s expertise

    • C.

      The source’s availability

    • D.

      The source’s height and weight

    Correct Answer
    B. The source’s expertise
    Explanation
    When choosing a source, it is important to consider the source's expertise. This means that the source should have knowledge and experience in the subject matter being discussed. An expert source is more likely to provide accurate and reliable information compared to a source with limited knowledge or expertise. Therefore, considering the source's expertise is crucial in ensuring the credibility and quality of the information obtained.

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  • 7. 

    What is an editorial?

    • A.

      An opinion piece published on a special page

    • B.

      The process when an editor works with an unfinished story

    • C.

      A part of the writing process

    • D.

      The job that reporter's get when they are promoted

    Correct Answer
    A. An opinion piece published on a special page
    Explanation
    An editorial is an opinion piece that is published on a special page. It is a form of journalism that allows the author to express their personal views and perspectives on a particular topic or issue. Editorials are typically written by experts or individuals with knowledge and experience in a specific field. They aim to persuade or inform readers about a certain subject and often provide recommendations or suggestions for action. The special page refers to a dedicated section in a newspaper or magazine where editorials are prominently featured.

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  • 8. 

    What is libel?

    • A.

      Publishing a false statement that damages someone’s reputation

    • B.

      A tendency to do something

    • C.

      Publishing private information about a person

    • D.

      Use of outside editors

    Correct Answer
    A. Publishing a false statement that damages someone’s reputation
    Explanation
    Libel refers to the act of publishing a false statement that harms someone's reputation. This can include spreading false information about someone that can negatively impact their public image or standing in society. It typically involves written or printed material that is distributed to the public, such as newspaper articles or online posts. Libel is a form of defamation and can result in legal consequences for the person responsible for spreading the false information.

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  • 9. 

    What is defamation?

    • A.

      Publishing unflattering information about someone

    • B.

      An invasion of privacy

    • C.

      A clearly labeled personal opinion

    • D.

      An untruthful accusation that lowers someone’s reputation

    Correct Answer
    D. An untruthful accusation that lowers someone’s reputation
    Explanation
    Defamation refers to making false statements or accusations about someone that harm their reputation. It involves spreading untruthful information about an individual, which can lead to damage to their character or standing in the eyes of others. This can be done through various means such as spoken or written words, gestures, or even through online platforms. Defamation is considered a civil offense and can result in legal consequences for the person responsible for making the false accusations.

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  • 10. 

    Freedom of the press in the U.S. is __________________.

    • A.

      Unlimited

    • B.

      Limited only for school-sponsored journalism

    • C.

      Governed by the Associated Press

    • D.

      Guaranteed by the First Amendment of the Constitution

    Correct Answer
    D. Guaranteed by the First Amendment of the Constitution
    Explanation
    The correct answer is guaranteed by the First Amendment of the Constitution. The First Amendment of the U.S. Constitution protects the freedom of the press, ensuring that the government cannot interfere with or control the press. This allows journalists and media organizations to report news and express their opinions without censorship or fear of retribution.

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  • 11. 

    What is Journalism?

    • A.

      The study of writing in journals

    • B.

      A hard thing to do

    • C.

      The reporting and publishing of the news

    • D.

      An American business practice

    Correct Answer
    C. The reporting and publishing of the news
    Explanation
    Journalism refers to the process of gathering, investigating, and presenting news and information to the public. It involves the activities of reporting, writing, editing, and publishing news stories through various media outlets such as newspapers, magazines, television, radio, and online platforms. Journalism plays a crucial role in keeping the public informed about current events, holding those in power accountable, and providing a platform for different voices and perspectives to be heard.

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  • 12. 

    Who is a reporter?

    • A.

      A good writer that happens to be popular with the public

    • B.

      A person who writes research papers about any topic

    • C.

      A person who interviews sources, writes copy, and is published

    • D.

      Anyone who can publish his writing online

    Correct Answer
    C. A person who interviews sources, writes copy, and is published
    Explanation
    A reporter is a person who interviews sources, writes copy, and is published. This role involves conducting interviews with individuals or organizations to gather information, writing articles or news stories based on the collected information, and having these articles published in newspapers, magazines, or online platforms. It requires the skills of interviewing, researching, and writing in order to effectively communicate news and information to the public.

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  • 13. 

    What makes a story “newsworthy”?

    • A.

      The story has to be about a topic that appeals to the public interest.

    • B.

      The story has to be published.

    • C.

      The story has to have balanced sources.

    • D.

      The story has to be about a celebrity.

    Correct Answer
    A. The story has to be about a topic that appeals to the public interest.
    Explanation
    A story is considered "newsworthy" when it is about a topic that captures the attention and interest of the public. This means that the story should be relevant and significant to the audience, addressing issues or events that impact their lives or evoke their curiosity. The story should have the potential to inform, educate, or entertain the public, making it worth publishing and sharing.

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  • 14. 

    What is a source?

    • A.

      A published news source, such as the Chicago Tribune

    • B.

      A person that a reporter interviews for his story

    • C.

      A reporter resource that lists all of the rules of writing

    • D.

      A published online news source, such as austintalks.org

    Correct Answer
    B. A person that a reporter interviews for his story
    Explanation
    A source refers to a person that a reporter interviews for their story. Reporters often rely on interviewing individuals who have firsthand knowledge or expertise on a particular topic to gather information and quotes for their news articles. These sources provide valuable insights and perspectives that help reporters present a well-rounded and informative story to their readers.

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  • 15. 

    Why is it important for reporters to talk to sources?

    • A.

      Sources help publish a reporter’s story.

    • B.

      Sources are the people that help edit and revise copy.

    • C.

      Sources give a story balance by offering different perspectives.

    • D.

      Sources buy newspapers.

    Correct Answer
    C. Sources give a story balance by offering different perspectives.
    Explanation
    Talking to sources is important for reporters because it allows them to gather different perspectives on a story, which helps in providing a balanced view. By including various viewpoints, reporters can present a more comprehensive and unbiased account of an event or issue. This not only enhances the credibility and reliability of the story but also ensures that readers are exposed to different sides of the story, enabling them to form their own informed opinions.

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  • 16. 

    How does a reporter “balance” his story?

    • A.

      By writing five paragraphs

    • B.

      By quoting several different sources

    • C.

      By including pictures with his story

    • D.

      By publishing a story and a follow-up story

    Correct Answer
    B. By quoting several different sources
    Explanation
    A reporter "balances" his story by quoting several different sources. This means that the reporter includes information and perspectives from multiple individuals or organizations involved in the story. By doing so, the reporter ensures that the story is fair, accurate, and provides a well-rounded view of the subject matter. Including multiple sources also helps to avoid bias and provides readers with a more comprehensive understanding of the topic.

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  • 17. 

    What are the 5 Ws and 1 H?

    • A.

      The only six questions that a reporter can ask a source

    • B.

      The six facts necessary facts of a summary lead

    • C.

      The six paragraphs that are required for a standard news story

    • D.

      The six worst mistakes a reporter can make

    Correct Answer
    B. The six facts necessary facts of a summary lead
    Explanation
    The correct answer is "The six facts necessary facts of a summary lead." This answer is correct because the 5 Ws (Who, What, Where, When, Why) and 1 H (How) are the essential elements that need to be included in a summary lead of a news story. These facts provide the crucial information that readers need to understand the main points of the story.

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  • 18. 

    What type of creative lead is the following sentence? Six years ago, Mr. Maxwell’s son James fell down a well, and he’s still climbing out.

    • A.

      Direct Quotation

    • B.

      Compare/Contrast

    • C.

      Suspense/Teaser

    • D.

      Allusion

    Correct Answer
    C. Suspense/Teaser
    Explanation
    The sentence creates suspense and intrigue by mentioning that Mr. Maxwell's son fell down a well six years ago and is still climbing out. This leaves the reader wondering about the son's fate and what will happen next, making it a suspenseful and teaser type of creative lead.

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  • 19. 

    Which phrase describes a feature?

    • A.

      A hard news story

    • B.

      Any story that informs the reader

    • C.

      A soft news story

    • D.

      Any short newspaper article

    Correct Answer
    C. A soft news story
    Explanation
    A soft news story is a type of news article that focuses on entertainment, lifestyle, or human interest topics rather than hard-hitting news. It often covers lighter subjects such as celebrity gossip, fashion, or personal stories. This phrase accurately describes a feature because it refers to a specific type or category of news story.

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  • 20. 

    A summary lead contains___________________.

    • A.

      A direct quote

    • B.

      Instructions on how to read the story

    • C.

      The most important facts of the story

    • D.

      A list of all the sources quoted in the story

    Correct Answer
    C. The most important facts of the story
    Explanation
    A summary lead contains the most important facts of the story. This type of lead is designed to provide a concise and clear overview of the main points or key details of the story. It aims to capture the reader's attention and give them a quick understanding of what the story is about. By presenting the most important facts upfront, the summary lead allows readers to decide if they want to continue reading the full story or not.

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Quiz Review Timeline +

Our quizzes are rigorously reviewed, monitored and continuously updated by our expert board to maintain accuracy, relevance, and timeliness.

  • Current Version
  • Mar 22, 2023
    Quiz Edited by
    ProProfs Editorial Team
  • Jun 07, 2011
    Quiz Created by
    Jwernick
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