COMM 215 Midterm Exam Questions with Verified Solutions
1. The 5 w’s are:
a. who, when, where, which, what
b. why, where, who, when, what
c. what, which, who, why, when
2. Telling the reader the source of the information is called:
a. alliteration
b. nullification
c. attribution
3. In news stories, supporting points related to the main issue constitute:
a. attribution
b. illustration
c. elaboration
4. Using quotes:
a. makes stories boring
b. makes readers lose interest
c. none of the above
5. The elements of the basic news story include:
a. lead, plagiarized material, quotes
b. background, attribution, nut graph
c. exaggeration, lead, nut graph
, 6. Copying the words of other writers without attribution is:
a. malice aforethought
b. plagiarism
c. fabrication
7. Quotes should be used:
a. judiciously
b. randomly
c. only in features
8. What value is NOT found in news story?
a. timeliness
b. sustainability
c. proximity
9. Select the answer that BEST describes how the internet has changed the nature of news:
a. interactive content, linear structure, specialized beats
b. nonlinear structure, interactive content, marketing
c. continual deadlines, interactive content, nonlinear structure
10. Which of the following does NOT fit the definition of attribution?
a. unnecessary in news stories
b. tells the reader where you got your information
c. necessary whenever you say something accusatory
11. A misspelled name or a factual error is:
a. always acceptable
b. occasionally acceptable
c. never acceptable
12. A Mitsubishi sedan was traveling eastbound on a state road when it turned into the path of an
oncoming Volvo sedan that struck the Mitsubishi. A young woman who was riding in the
Mitsubishi died a short time later at a local hospital. What are the MOST important facts you
need to gather?
a. estimated cost of damage to the sedans and other property loss
b. the number of people who died or were injured
c. what government agencies are involved in the investigation and whether anyone was
arrested
1. The 5 w’s are:
a. who, when, where, which, what
b. why, where, who, when, what
c. what, which, who, why, when
2. Telling the reader the source of the information is called:
a. alliteration
b. nullification
c. attribution
3. In news stories, supporting points related to the main issue constitute:
a. attribution
b. illustration
c. elaboration
4. Using quotes:
a. makes stories boring
b. makes readers lose interest
c. none of the above
5. The elements of the basic news story include:
a. lead, plagiarized material, quotes
b. background, attribution, nut graph
c. exaggeration, lead, nut graph
, 6. Copying the words of other writers without attribution is:
a. malice aforethought
b. plagiarism
c. fabrication
7. Quotes should be used:
a. judiciously
b. randomly
c. only in features
8. What value is NOT found in news story?
a. timeliness
b. sustainability
c. proximity
9. Select the answer that BEST describes how the internet has changed the nature of news:
a. interactive content, linear structure, specialized beats
b. nonlinear structure, interactive content, marketing
c. continual deadlines, interactive content, nonlinear structure
10. Which of the following does NOT fit the definition of attribution?
a. unnecessary in news stories
b. tells the reader where you got your information
c. necessary whenever you say something accusatory
11. A misspelled name or a factual error is:
a. always acceptable
b. occasionally acceptable
c. never acceptable
12. A Mitsubishi sedan was traveling eastbound on a state road when it turned into the path of an
oncoming Volvo sedan that struck the Mitsubishi. A young woman who was riding in the
Mitsubishi died a short time later at a local hospital. What are the MOST important facts you
need to gather?
a. estimated cost of damage to the sedans and other property loss
b. the number of people who died or were injured
c. what government agencies are involved in the investigation and whether anyone was
arrested
