KU JMC 101 — Introduction to Journalism and Mass Communications — Final Exam Study Set 2026/2027
KU JMC 101 INTRODUCTION TO JOURNALISM AND MASS COMMUNICATIONS FINAL
EXAM STUDY SET
2026/2027 | 50 Questions | Exam Prep
University of Kansas — William Allen White School of Journalism and Mass Communications
Select the best answer for each question. Multiple-select items require selecting all correct responses.
Answers and rationales follow each question.
SECTION I: HISTORY AND EVOLUTION OF MEDIA
1. Johannes Gutenberg's invention of the movable-type printing press around 1440 is widely
regarded as a turning point in human communication. Which of the following best describes
its primary impact on the spread of information?
A. It enabled the mass production of handwritten manuscripts for the royal courts
B. It dramatically reduced the cost of books and made written knowledge accessible to a much broader
public
C. It introduced the first system of electronic communication across long distances
D. It replaced oral storytelling as the dominant form of entertainment in European society
Correct Answer: B. It dramatically reduced the cost of books and made written knowledge
accessible to a much broader public
Rationale: Gutenberg's movable-type printing press made it possible to produce books and pamphlets in
large quantities at significantly lower cost than hand-copying by scribes. This democratization of
knowledge fueled the Protestant Reformation, the Scientific Revolution, and the spread of literacy across
Europe. Prior to Gutenberg, books were laboriously copied by hand and available only to the wealthy elite
and clergy. Options A and D describe pre-existing conditions, not Gutenberg's impact. Option C refers to
electronic communication, which would not emerge for centuries.
2. The penny press era of the 1830s, led by Benjamin Day's New York Sun, fundamentally
changed American newspapers by doing which of the following?
A. Raising the cover price to five cents to fund investigative journalism
B. Shifting newspapers from a readership of elites to a mass audience by selling for one cent and relying
on advertising revenue
C. Introducing the concept of editorial independence from political parties
D. Creating the first national Sunday edition with color comics
Correct Answer: B. Shifting newspapers from a readership of elites to a mass audience by
selling for one cent and relying on advertising revenue
Rationale: The penny press revolutionized American journalism by lowering the price of newspapers to
one cent, making them affordable to working-class readers for the first time. Benjamin Day's New York
Sun (1833) pioneered this model, which relied on high circulation and advertising revenue rather than
subscriptions from wealthy readers. This shift created the foundation for mass-circulation newspapers.
Editorial independence from political parties (C) came later, and the Sunday edition with color comics (D)
was a later development. Raising prices (A) is the opposite of what the penny press did.
3. Yellow journalism in the late 1890s, practiced most notably by William Randolph Hearst
and Joseph Pulitzer, is best characterized by which combination of practices?
A. Objective reporting and measured analysis of foreign policy decisions
B. Sensational headlines, exaggerated stories, and the use of illustrations to boost circulation
C. In-depth investigative reporting that exposed government corruption
D. Dry, fact-based reporting focused on business and financial news
Correct Answer: B. Sensational headlines, exaggerated stories, and the use of illustrations to
boost circulation
1
, KU JMC 101 — Introduction to Journalism and Mass Communications — Final Exam Study Set 2026/2027
Rationale: Yellow journalism, named after the 'Yellow Kid' comic strip, was characterized by
sensationalized headlines, dramatic illustrations, scandal-mongering, and emotional reporting designed to
attract readers and increase circulation. Hearst's New York Journal and Pulitzer's New York World
competed fiercely for readers during this period, and their coverage of the Cuban rebellion against Spain is
widely credited with inflaming public opinion and helping to push the United States into the Spanish-
American War of 1898. Investigative journalism (C) became prominent later, and objectivity (A) was not a
goal of yellow journalism.
4. KDKA in Pittsburgh, which began broadcasting in 1920, is generally recognized as the first
commercially licensed radio station in the United States. [True/False]
A. True
B. False
Correct Answer: A. True
Rationale: KDKA in Pittsburgh, owned by Westinghouse, received the first commercial radio license from
the U.S. Department of Commerce on October 27, 1920, and made its first scheduled broadcast on
November 2, 1920, reporting the results of the Harding-Cox presidential election. While there were earlier
experimental broadcasts, KDKA is recognized as the first commercially licensed station and marks the
beginning of the golden age of radio, during which radio became the dominant mass medium in American
homes through the 1930s and 1940s.
5. Walter Cronkite, who anchored the CBS Evening News from 1962 to 1981, was often called
'the most trusted man in America.' His 1968 editorial broadcast concluding that the Vietnam
War could not be won militarily is significant because it demonstrated which principle?
A. Television news had little influence on public opinion during the 1960s
B. A single television news anchor could shape public opinion and even influence presidential policy
C. Network news was required by law to adopt an anti-war editorial stance
D. Print newspapers were the only credible source of war reporting during this period
Correct Answer: B. A single television news anchor could shape public opinion and even
influence presidential policy
Rationale: Cronkite's February 27, 1968, broadcast, in which he declared that the Vietnam War was
'mired in stalemate,' was a pivotal moment in television journalism. President Lyndon B. Johnson
reportedly told his press secretary, 'If I've lost Cronkite, I've lost Middle America.' The broadcast is widely
cited as evidence of television's enormous power to shape public opinion and influence political outcomes
during the era of the three-network oligopoly. Network news was not legally required to be anti-war (C),
and newspapers were not the only credible source (D). Television had enormous influence (contrary to A).
6. The launch of CNN (Cable News Network) by Ted Turner in 1980 transformed television
news in which fundamental way?
A. It eliminated the need for local television news broadcasts
B. It introduced the concept of 24-hour, live television news coverage, fundamentally changing how
audiences consumed news
C. It was the first network to broadcast exclusively in high-definition format
D. It replaced all three major broadcast networks as the primary source of entertainment programming
Correct Answer: B. It introduced the concept of 24-hour, live television news coverage,
fundamentally changing how audiences consumed news
Rationale: CNN was the first 24-hour cable news channel, pioneering round-the-clock news coverage
that fundamentally altered the television landscape. Before CNN, Americans received their evening news
from the three broadcast networks (ABC, CBS, NBC) in scheduled half-hour programs. CNN's 24-hour
format demonstrated that audiences would watch news outside of traditional time slots and set the stage
for later cable channels such as Fox News (1996) and MSNBC (1996). CNN did not eliminate local news (A),
was not the first HD network (C), and did not replace broadcast entertainment programming (D).
2
, KU JMC 101 — Introduction to Journalism and Mass Communications — Final Exam Study Set 2026/2027
7. Place the following milestones in the evolution of mass media in chronological order (1 =
earliest, 5 = most recent). [Ordered Response]
1. Gutenberg introduces the movable-type printing press in Europe
2. The World Wide Web (Web 2.0) enables user-generated content and social media platforms
3. Benjamin Day launches the New York Sun, beginning the penny press era
4. CNN begins 24-hour cable news broadcasting
5. KDKA in Pittsburgh becomes the first commercially licensed radio station
Correct Answer: 1 → 3 → 5 → 4 → 2
Rationale: The correct chronological order is: Gutenberg's printing press (c. 1440) first revolutionized
written communication; Benjamin Day's New York Sun (1833) launched the penny press era; KDKA (1920)
began commercial radio broadcasting; CNN (1980) introduced 24-hour cable news; and Web 2.0 (mid-
2000s) enabled the social media revolution through user-generated content platforms like Facebook,
YouTube, and Twitter. Understanding this timeline is essential for tracing the evolution from print to
broadcast to digital media.
SECTION II: MEDIA LITERACY AND CRITICAL CONSUMPTION
8. According to the National Association for Media Literacy Education (NAMLE), media
literacy is best defined as the ability to do which of the following?
A. Produce professional-quality video content for broadcast television
B. Access, analyze, evaluate, create, and act using all forms of communication
C. Memorize factual information from major news outlets without question
D. Avoid all forms of digital and social media to protect personal privacy
Correct Answer: B. Access, analyze, evaluate, create, and act using all forms of
communication
Rationale: NAMLE defines media literacy as the ability to access, analyze, evaluate, create, and act using
all forms of communication. It encompasses both critical consumption (understanding how media
messages are constructed and what they mean) and creative production (the ability to make media
responsibly). Option A refers only to production skills. Option C contradicts the critical thinking component
of media literacy. Option D describes media avoidance, not literacy.
9. Select all that apply. The CRAAP test is a widely used framework for evaluating information
sources. Which of the following are components of the CRAAP test? [Select All That Apply]
A. Currency — When was the information published or last updated?
B. Relevance — Does the information directly address the research question or need?
C. Popularity — How many social media shares or likes does the source have?
D. Authority — Who is the author or publisher, and what are their credentials?
E. Purpose — Why does the information exist (to inform, persuade, sell, or entertain)?
Correct Answer: A. Currency — When was the information published or last updated?, B.
Relevance — Does the information directly address the research question or need?, D.
Authority — Who is the author or publisher, and what are their credentials?, E. Purpose —
Why does the information exist (to inform, persuade, sell, or entertain)?
Rationale: The CRAAP test, developed by Sarah Blakeslee and the Meriam Library at California State
University, Chico, stands for Currency, Relevance, Authority, Accuracy, and Purpose. These five criteria
provide a systematic method for evaluating the quality of information sources. Popularity (C) is not part of
the CRAAP test; a source can be widely shared on social media but still be inaccurate or misleading. The
Accuracy component (not listed in the options) asks whether the information is supported by evidence and
can be verified.
10. A student is researching a topic and finds two articles: one is a peer-reviewed journal
article published six months ago, and the other is a blog post by an anonymous author that
3
KU JMC 101 INTRODUCTION TO JOURNALISM AND MASS COMMUNICATIONS FINAL
EXAM STUDY SET
2026/2027 | 50 Questions | Exam Prep
University of Kansas — William Allen White School of Journalism and Mass Communications
Select the best answer for each question. Multiple-select items require selecting all correct responses.
Answers and rationales follow each question.
SECTION I: HISTORY AND EVOLUTION OF MEDIA
1. Johannes Gutenberg's invention of the movable-type printing press around 1440 is widely
regarded as a turning point in human communication. Which of the following best describes
its primary impact on the spread of information?
A. It enabled the mass production of handwritten manuscripts for the royal courts
B. It dramatically reduced the cost of books and made written knowledge accessible to a much broader
public
C. It introduced the first system of electronic communication across long distances
D. It replaced oral storytelling as the dominant form of entertainment in European society
Correct Answer: B. It dramatically reduced the cost of books and made written knowledge
accessible to a much broader public
Rationale: Gutenberg's movable-type printing press made it possible to produce books and pamphlets in
large quantities at significantly lower cost than hand-copying by scribes. This democratization of
knowledge fueled the Protestant Reformation, the Scientific Revolution, and the spread of literacy across
Europe. Prior to Gutenberg, books were laboriously copied by hand and available only to the wealthy elite
and clergy. Options A and D describe pre-existing conditions, not Gutenberg's impact. Option C refers to
electronic communication, which would not emerge for centuries.
2. The penny press era of the 1830s, led by Benjamin Day's New York Sun, fundamentally
changed American newspapers by doing which of the following?
A. Raising the cover price to five cents to fund investigative journalism
B. Shifting newspapers from a readership of elites to a mass audience by selling for one cent and relying
on advertising revenue
C. Introducing the concept of editorial independence from political parties
D. Creating the first national Sunday edition with color comics
Correct Answer: B. Shifting newspapers from a readership of elites to a mass audience by
selling for one cent and relying on advertising revenue
Rationale: The penny press revolutionized American journalism by lowering the price of newspapers to
one cent, making them affordable to working-class readers for the first time. Benjamin Day's New York
Sun (1833) pioneered this model, which relied on high circulation and advertising revenue rather than
subscriptions from wealthy readers. This shift created the foundation for mass-circulation newspapers.
Editorial independence from political parties (C) came later, and the Sunday edition with color comics (D)
was a later development. Raising prices (A) is the opposite of what the penny press did.
3. Yellow journalism in the late 1890s, practiced most notably by William Randolph Hearst
and Joseph Pulitzer, is best characterized by which combination of practices?
A. Objective reporting and measured analysis of foreign policy decisions
B. Sensational headlines, exaggerated stories, and the use of illustrations to boost circulation
C. In-depth investigative reporting that exposed government corruption
D. Dry, fact-based reporting focused on business and financial news
Correct Answer: B. Sensational headlines, exaggerated stories, and the use of illustrations to
boost circulation
1
, KU JMC 101 — Introduction to Journalism and Mass Communications — Final Exam Study Set 2026/2027
Rationale: Yellow journalism, named after the 'Yellow Kid' comic strip, was characterized by
sensationalized headlines, dramatic illustrations, scandal-mongering, and emotional reporting designed to
attract readers and increase circulation. Hearst's New York Journal and Pulitzer's New York World
competed fiercely for readers during this period, and their coverage of the Cuban rebellion against Spain is
widely credited with inflaming public opinion and helping to push the United States into the Spanish-
American War of 1898. Investigative journalism (C) became prominent later, and objectivity (A) was not a
goal of yellow journalism.
4. KDKA in Pittsburgh, which began broadcasting in 1920, is generally recognized as the first
commercially licensed radio station in the United States. [True/False]
A. True
B. False
Correct Answer: A. True
Rationale: KDKA in Pittsburgh, owned by Westinghouse, received the first commercial radio license from
the U.S. Department of Commerce on October 27, 1920, and made its first scheduled broadcast on
November 2, 1920, reporting the results of the Harding-Cox presidential election. While there were earlier
experimental broadcasts, KDKA is recognized as the first commercially licensed station and marks the
beginning of the golden age of radio, during which radio became the dominant mass medium in American
homes through the 1930s and 1940s.
5. Walter Cronkite, who anchored the CBS Evening News from 1962 to 1981, was often called
'the most trusted man in America.' His 1968 editorial broadcast concluding that the Vietnam
War could not be won militarily is significant because it demonstrated which principle?
A. Television news had little influence on public opinion during the 1960s
B. A single television news anchor could shape public opinion and even influence presidential policy
C. Network news was required by law to adopt an anti-war editorial stance
D. Print newspapers were the only credible source of war reporting during this period
Correct Answer: B. A single television news anchor could shape public opinion and even
influence presidential policy
Rationale: Cronkite's February 27, 1968, broadcast, in which he declared that the Vietnam War was
'mired in stalemate,' was a pivotal moment in television journalism. President Lyndon B. Johnson
reportedly told his press secretary, 'If I've lost Cronkite, I've lost Middle America.' The broadcast is widely
cited as evidence of television's enormous power to shape public opinion and influence political outcomes
during the era of the three-network oligopoly. Network news was not legally required to be anti-war (C),
and newspapers were not the only credible source (D). Television had enormous influence (contrary to A).
6. The launch of CNN (Cable News Network) by Ted Turner in 1980 transformed television
news in which fundamental way?
A. It eliminated the need for local television news broadcasts
B. It introduced the concept of 24-hour, live television news coverage, fundamentally changing how
audiences consumed news
C. It was the first network to broadcast exclusively in high-definition format
D. It replaced all three major broadcast networks as the primary source of entertainment programming
Correct Answer: B. It introduced the concept of 24-hour, live television news coverage,
fundamentally changing how audiences consumed news
Rationale: CNN was the first 24-hour cable news channel, pioneering round-the-clock news coverage
that fundamentally altered the television landscape. Before CNN, Americans received their evening news
from the three broadcast networks (ABC, CBS, NBC) in scheduled half-hour programs. CNN's 24-hour
format demonstrated that audiences would watch news outside of traditional time slots and set the stage
for later cable channels such as Fox News (1996) and MSNBC (1996). CNN did not eliminate local news (A),
was not the first HD network (C), and did not replace broadcast entertainment programming (D).
2
, KU JMC 101 — Introduction to Journalism and Mass Communications — Final Exam Study Set 2026/2027
7. Place the following milestones in the evolution of mass media in chronological order (1 =
earliest, 5 = most recent). [Ordered Response]
1. Gutenberg introduces the movable-type printing press in Europe
2. The World Wide Web (Web 2.0) enables user-generated content and social media platforms
3. Benjamin Day launches the New York Sun, beginning the penny press era
4. CNN begins 24-hour cable news broadcasting
5. KDKA in Pittsburgh becomes the first commercially licensed radio station
Correct Answer: 1 → 3 → 5 → 4 → 2
Rationale: The correct chronological order is: Gutenberg's printing press (c. 1440) first revolutionized
written communication; Benjamin Day's New York Sun (1833) launched the penny press era; KDKA (1920)
began commercial radio broadcasting; CNN (1980) introduced 24-hour cable news; and Web 2.0 (mid-
2000s) enabled the social media revolution through user-generated content platforms like Facebook,
YouTube, and Twitter. Understanding this timeline is essential for tracing the evolution from print to
broadcast to digital media.
SECTION II: MEDIA LITERACY AND CRITICAL CONSUMPTION
8. According to the National Association for Media Literacy Education (NAMLE), media
literacy is best defined as the ability to do which of the following?
A. Produce professional-quality video content for broadcast television
B. Access, analyze, evaluate, create, and act using all forms of communication
C. Memorize factual information from major news outlets without question
D. Avoid all forms of digital and social media to protect personal privacy
Correct Answer: B. Access, analyze, evaluate, create, and act using all forms of
communication
Rationale: NAMLE defines media literacy as the ability to access, analyze, evaluate, create, and act using
all forms of communication. It encompasses both critical consumption (understanding how media
messages are constructed and what they mean) and creative production (the ability to make media
responsibly). Option A refers only to production skills. Option C contradicts the critical thinking component
of media literacy. Option D describes media avoidance, not literacy.
9. Select all that apply. The CRAAP test is a widely used framework for evaluating information
sources. Which of the following are components of the CRAAP test? [Select All That Apply]
A. Currency — When was the information published or last updated?
B. Relevance — Does the information directly address the research question or need?
C. Popularity — How many social media shares or likes does the source have?
D. Authority — Who is the author or publisher, and what are their credentials?
E. Purpose — Why does the information exist (to inform, persuade, sell, or entertain)?
Correct Answer: A. Currency — When was the information published or last updated?, B.
Relevance — Does the information directly address the research question or need?, D.
Authority — Who is the author or publisher, and what are their credentials?, E. Purpose —
Why does the information exist (to inform, persuade, sell, or entertain)?
Rationale: The CRAAP test, developed by Sarah Blakeslee and the Meriam Library at California State
University, Chico, stands for Currency, Relevance, Authority, Accuracy, and Purpose. These five criteria
provide a systematic method for evaluating the quality of information sources. Popularity (C) is not part of
the CRAAP test; a source can be widely shared on social media but still be inaccurate or misleading. The
Accuracy component (not listed in the options) asks whether the information is supported by evidence and
can be verified.
10. A student is researching a topic and finds two articles: one is a peer-reviewed journal
article published six months ago, and the other is a blog post by an anonymous author that
3
