MI003MTTC Journalism Practice Exam
**Question 1. Which of the following best describes the watchdog function of the
press in a democracy?**
A) Providing entertainment content for mass audiences
B) Acting as a conduit for government propaganda
C) Monitoring and exposing abuses of power by officials
D) Publishing only positive stories about public figures
Answer: C
Explanation: The watchdog role involves investigating and reporting on
government and corporate misconduct to keep power accountable.
**Question 2. Which news value refers to the degree to which an event affects a
large number of people?**
A) Proximity
B) Impact
C) Conflict
D) Timeliness
Answer: B
Explanation: Impact measures the significance or consequences of a story for the
audience.
**Question 3. In journalistic ethics, the principle “Seek Truth and Report It”
primarily emphasizes which practice?**
A) Avoiding controversial topics
, MI003MTTC Journalism Practice Exam
B) Publishing unverified rumors quickly
C) Verifying facts before publication
D) Prioritizing sensational headlines over accuracy
Answer: C
Explanation: Seeking truth requires thorough verification of information prior to
reporting.
**Question 4. Which of the following is NOT a component of the SPJ Code of
Ethics?**
A) Minimize Harm
B) Act Independently
C) Promote Commercial Interests
D) Be Accountable and Transparent
Answer: C
Explanation: The SPJ code does not endorse promoting commercial interests; it
focuses on truth, independence, and accountability.
**Question 5. When a journalist reveals private facts about a public figure that are
not of public concern, which privacy tort might be implicated?**
A) Intrusion upon seclusion
B) Public disclosure of private facts
C) False light
, MI003MTTC Journalism Practice Exam
D) Defamation
Answer: B
Explanation: Public disclosure of private facts involves publishing truthful but
private information that is not newsworthy.
**Question 6. The “actual malice” standard applies to defamation cases involving
which type of plaintiff?**
A) Private individuals only
B) Public officials only
C) Public figures and officials
D) Corporations exclusively
Answer: C
Explanation: Public figures and officials must prove that the publisher acted with
knowledge of falsity or reckless disregard for the truth.
**Question 7. Which of the following is a protected activity under the First
Amendment?**
A) Libelous statements
B) Obscenity without community standards
C) Peaceful protest on public sidewalks
D) Threats of violence
Answer: C
, MI003MTTC Journalism Practice Exam
Explanation: Peaceful protest is a form of speech protected by the First
Amendment.
**Question 8. The “fair use” doctrine permits limited use of copyrighted material
for which purpose?**
A) Commercial resale of the entire work
B) Replicating the work verbatim in a new book
C) Criticism, commentary, or news reporting
D) Unlimited distribution on a personal website
Answer: C
Explanation: Fair use allows use for criticism, commentary, news reporting,
teaching, and research under certain factors.
**Question 9. Which of the following best exemplifies the “inverted pyramid”
structure?**
A) Narrative story that begins with background and ends with the climax
B) Opening with the most important facts followed by supporting details
C) Starting with a quote and then presenting the lead paragraph
D) Presenting information in alphabetical order
Answer: B
Explanation: The inverted pyramid places the most critical information at the top,
with less essential details later.
**Question 1. Which of the following best describes the watchdog function of the
press in a democracy?**
A) Providing entertainment content for mass audiences
B) Acting as a conduit for government propaganda
C) Monitoring and exposing abuses of power by officials
D) Publishing only positive stories about public figures
Answer: C
Explanation: The watchdog role involves investigating and reporting on
government and corporate misconduct to keep power accountable.
**Question 2. Which news value refers to the degree to which an event affects a
large number of people?**
A) Proximity
B) Impact
C) Conflict
D) Timeliness
Answer: B
Explanation: Impact measures the significance or consequences of a story for the
audience.
**Question 3. In journalistic ethics, the principle “Seek Truth and Report It”
primarily emphasizes which practice?**
A) Avoiding controversial topics
, MI003MTTC Journalism Practice Exam
B) Publishing unverified rumors quickly
C) Verifying facts before publication
D) Prioritizing sensational headlines over accuracy
Answer: C
Explanation: Seeking truth requires thorough verification of information prior to
reporting.
**Question 4. Which of the following is NOT a component of the SPJ Code of
Ethics?**
A) Minimize Harm
B) Act Independently
C) Promote Commercial Interests
D) Be Accountable and Transparent
Answer: C
Explanation: The SPJ code does not endorse promoting commercial interests; it
focuses on truth, independence, and accountability.
**Question 5. When a journalist reveals private facts about a public figure that are
not of public concern, which privacy tort might be implicated?**
A) Intrusion upon seclusion
B) Public disclosure of private facts
C) False light
, MI003MTTC Journalism Practice Exam
D) Defamation
Answer: B
Explanation: Public disclosure of private facts involves publishing truthful but
private information that is not newsworthy.
**Question 6. The “actual malice” standard applies to defamation cases involving
which type of plaintiff?**
A) Private individuals only
B) Public officials only
C) Public figures and officials
D) Corporations exclusively
Answer: C
Explanation: Public figures and officials must prove that the publisher acted with
knowledge of falsity or reckless disregard for the truth.
**Question 7. Which of the following is a protected activity under the First
Amendment?**
A) Libelous statements
B) Obscenity without community standards
C) Peaceful protest on public sidewalks
D) Threats of violence
Answer: C
, MI003MTTC Journalism Practice Exam
Explanation: Peaceful protest is a form of speech protected by the First
Amendment.
**Question 8. The “fair use” doctrine permits limited use of copyrighted material
for which purpose?**
A) Commercial resale of the entire work
B) Replicating the work verbatim in a new book
C) Criticism, commentary, or news reporting
D) Unlimited distribution on a personal website
Answer: C
Explanation: Fair use allows use for criticism, commentary, news reporting,
teaching, and research under certain factors.
**Question 9. Which of the following best exemplifies the “inverted pyramid”
structure?**
A) Narrative story that begins with background and ends with the climax
B) Opening with the most important facts followed by supporting details
C) Starting with a quote and then presenting the lead paragraph
D) Presenting information in alphabetical order
Answer: B
Explanation: The inverted pyramid places the most critical information at the top,
with less essential details later.
