Review of the PR-Mass Media

1. Mass Media
Practice Reading Review

2. Mass Media
Clearly the mass media strongly influence our thinking and conduct. This is
evident in obvious, simple ways; a teenage boy wears his cap backward in a TV situation
comedy, and soon boys nationwide imitate the style. News stories describe a new toy,
the Mighty Morphin Power Rangers, and the Fox television network builds a series around
it. At Christmas parents jam stores, trying to find the Power Rangers for their children.
Actors playing the characters perform for Congress in the House Office Building on the
day in 1995 when the Republicans took command of the House and Senate.
The cultural, social, and political impact of the media, of course, runs far
deeper than these surface manifestations. The media create public opinion to bring
about significant changes. The national campaign to forbid smoking in public places, so
strong in the mid-1990s, developed from a spate of news stories about the health
dangers created by second-hand smoke. This led to ban against smoking on airlines,
creation of smoke-free areas in restaurants, and in some cities a total ban against
smoking in restaurants and public buildings. Sensing public support, President Clinton
took the issue into the national political arena in 1995 by authorizing a federal
regulatory campaign to decrease smoking by teenagers. Similarly, national awareness of
the outbreak of the acquired immune deficiency syndrome (AIDS) and the promotion of
safe sex practices to avoid exposure to the fatal disease came about primarily through
the mass media.
These are instances in which the media have crystallized public opinion for
action. Sometimes, however, the media merely reflect an existing attitude. Motion
picture and television producers who make pictures filled with violence claim, for
example, that they are merely giving the public what it desires. Some researchers within
the media believe, however, that decision makers in their industries have failed to learn
what the public really desires. (adapted from Agee, Warren K., Phillip H. Ault and Edwin
Emery. Introduction to Mass Communications. 12th ed. 24-26)

3. So…what do we do??

4. One sentence summaries
One paragraph at a time

5. Paragraph 1
Clearly the mass media strongly influence our
thinking and conduct. This is evident in obvious,
simple ways; a teenage boy wears his cap backward
in a TV situation comedy, and soon boys nationwide
imitate the style. News stories describe a new toy,
the Mighty Morphin Power Rangers, and the Fox
television network builds a series around it. At
Christmas parents jam stores, trying to find the
Power Rangers for their children. Actors playing the
characters perform for Congress in the House Office
Building on the day in 1995 when the Republicans
took command of the House and Senate.

6. Paragraph 1
This is evident in obvious,
simple ways; a teenage boy wears his cap backward
in a TV situation comedy, and soon boys nationwide
imitate the style. News stories describe a new toy,
the Mighty Morphin Power Rangers, and the Fox
television network builds a series around it. At
Christmas parents jam stores, trying to find the
Power Rangers for their children. Actors playing the
characters perform for Congress in the House Office
Building on the day in 1995 when the Republicans
took command of the House and Senate.

7. Paragraph 2
The cultural, social, and political impact of the media,
of course, runs far deeper than these surface manifestations.
The media create public opinion to bring about significant
changes. The national campaign to forbid smoking in public
places, so strong in the mid-1990s, developed from a spate of
news stories about the health dangers created by second-hand
smoke. This led to ban against smoking on airlines, creation of
smoke-free areas in restaurants, and in some cities a total ban
against smoking in restaurants and public buildings. Sensing
public support, President Clinton took the issue into the national
political arena in 1995 by authorizing a federal regulatory
campaign to decrease smoking by teenagers. Similarly, national
awareness of the outbreak of the acquired immune deficiency
syndrome (AIDS) and the promotion of safe sex practices to
avoid exposure to the fatal disease came about primarily
through the mass media.

8. Paragraph 2
The cultural, social, and political impact of the media,
of course, runs far deeper than these surface manifestations.
The national campaign to forbid smoking in public
places, so strong in the mid-1990s, developed from a spate of
news stories about the health dangers created by second-hand
smoke. This led to ban against smoking on airlines, creation of
smoke-free areas in restaurants, and in some cities a total ban
against smoking in restaurants and public buildings. Sensing
public support, President Clinton took the issue into the national
political arena in 1995 by authorizing a federal regulatory
campaign to decrease smoking by teenagers. Similarly, national
awareness of the outbreak of the acquired immune deficiency
syndrome (AIDS) and the promotion of safe sex practices to
avoid exposure to the fatal disease came about primarily
through the mass media.

9. Paragraph 3
These are instances in which the media have
crystallized public opinion for action. Sometimes,
however, the media merely reflect an existing
attitude. Motion picture and television producers
who make pictures filled with violence claim, for
example, that they are merely giving the public what
it desires. Some researchers within the media
believe, however, that decision makers in their
industries have failed to learn what the public really
desires. (adapted from Agee, Warren K., Phillip H.
Ault and Edwin Emery. Introduction to Mass
Communications. 12th ed. 24-26)

10. Paragraph 3
These are instances in which the media have
crystallized public opinion for action.
Motion picture and television producers
who make pictures filled with violence claim, for
example, that they are merely giving the public what
it desires.
(adapted from Agee, Warren K., Phillip H.
Ault and Edwin Emery. Introduction to Mass
Communications. 12th ed. 24-26)

11. Summaries for each paragraph
1. Mass media strongly influences our thinking and
conduct.
2. It creates public opinion to bring about
significant changes.
3. Sometimes it reflects an existing attitude.

12. Which sentence best states the
main idea of this passage?
A. Politicians sometime use mass media to gain
support for issues concerning the nation.
B. Mass media affects our thinking and conduct
through cultural, social, and political influences.
C. Mass media is the root cause of many of the
problems in society today.
D. The content of mass media sometimes reflects
the opinions, attitudes, and wishes of the
American public

13. Which sentence best states the
main idea of this passage?
A. Politicians sometime use mass media to gain
support for issues concerning the nation.
B. Mass media affects our thinking and conduct
through cultural, social, and political influences.
C. Mass media is the root cause of many of the
problems in society today.
D. The content of mass media sometimes reflects
the opinions, attitudes, and wishes of the
American public

14. The primary purpose of this
passage is to
A. give the history of mass media.
B. detail the significance of mass media.
C. analyze the importance of the mass media in
bringing about change.
D. describe theories held by researchers about
mass media.
MI: Mass media affects our thinking and conduct
through cultural, social, and political influences.

15. The primary purpose of this
passage is to
A. give the history of mass media.
B. detail the significance of mass media.
C. analyze the importance of the mass media in
bringing about change.
D. describe theories held by researchers about
mass media.
MI: Mass media affects our thinking and conduct
through cultural, social, and political influences.

16. The tone of this passage is
A. sarcastic
B. informative
C. humorous
D. clinical

17. The tone of this passage is
A. sarcastic
B. informative
C. humorous
D. clinical

18. Motion picture and television
producers believe that
A. they are the catalysts for changing public opinion
about violence.
B. they have failed to understand what the public
wants to see in movies.
C. they are fulfilling the public's wishes by producing
movies that contain violence.
D. they are responsible for informing the public
about dangerous issues such as secondhand smoke
and AIDS.

19. Paragraph 3
These are instances in which the media have
crystallized public opinion for action. Sometimes,
however, the media merely reflect an existing
attitude. Motion picture and television producers
who make pictures filled with violence claim, for
example, that they are merely giving the public what
it desires. Some researchers within the media
believe, however, that decision makers in their
industries have failed to learn what the public really
desires. (adapted from Agee, Warren K., Phillip H.
Ault and Edwin Emery. Introduction to Mass
Communications. 12th ed. 24-26)

20. Motion picture and television
producers believe that
A. they are the catalysts for changing public opinion
about violence.
B. they have failed to understand what the public
wants to see in movies.
C. they are fulfilling the public's wishes by producing
movies that contain violence.
D. they are responsible for informing the public
about dangerous issues such as secondhand smoke
and AIDS.

21. Identify the relationship between
these sentences from paragraph one.
"Clearly the mass media strongly influence our thinking
and conduct. This is evident in obvious, simple ways; a
teenage boy wears his cap backward in a TV situation
comedy, and soon boys nationwide imitate the style.”
A. addition
B. comparison/contrast
C. time order
D. example

22. Identify the relationship between
these sentences from paragraph one.
"Clearly the mass media strongly influence our thinking
and conduct. This is evident in obvious, simple ways; a
teenage boy wears his cap backward in a TV situation
comedy, and soon boys nationwide imitate the style.”
A. addition
B. comparison/contrast
C. time order
D. example

23. Identify the relationship between
these sentences from paragraph one.
"Clearly the mass media strongly influence our thinking
and conduct. This is evident in obvious, simple ways; a
teenage boy wears his cap backward in a TV situation
comedy, and soon boys nationwide imitate the style.”
A. addition
B. comparison/contrast
C. time order
D. example

24. As used in line 10, the word
manifestations most nearly means
A. displays or shows
B. motives
C. lists or invoices
D. occurrences of an occult phenomenon

25. The cultural, social, and political impact of
the media, of course, runs far deeper than
these surface manifestations.
A. displays or shows
B. motives
C. lists or invoices
D. occurrences of an occult phenomenon

26. Paragraph 1 (“these surface
manifestations”)
Clearly the mass media strongly influence our
thinking and conduct. This is evident in obvious, simple
ways; (1) a teenage boy wears his cap backward in a TV
situation comedy, and soon boys nationwide imitate the
style. (2) News stories describe a new toy, the Mighty
Morphin Power Rangers, and the Fox television network
builds a series around it. At Christmas parents jam stores,
trying to find the Power Rangers for their children. Actors
playing the characters perform for Congress in the House
Office Building on the day in 1995 when the Republicans
took command of the House and Senate.

27. As used in line 10, the word
manifestations most nearly means
A. displays or shows
B. motives
C. lists or invoices
D. occurrences of an occult phenomenon

28. One conclusion that can be drawn
from the first paragraph is
A. News reporters often support advertisers
in promoting merchandise.
B. Mass media often initiate styles and fads.
C. Parents will do anything to find toys for
their children at Christmas.
D. Actors perform as zany cartoon characters
at presidential inaugurations.

29. A. News reporters often support
advertisers in promoting merchandise.
Clearly the mass media strongly influence our
thinking and conduct. This is evident in obvious,
simple ways; a teenage boy wears his cap backward
in a TV situation comedy, and soon boys nationwide
imitate the style. News stories describe a new toy,
the Mighty Morphin Power Rangers, and the Fox
television network builds a series around it. At
Christmas parents jam stores, trying to find the
Power Rangers for their children. Actors playing the
characters perform for Congress in the House Office
Building on the day in 1995 when the Republicans
took command of the House and Senate.

30. B. Mass media often initiate styles and
fads.
Clearly the mass media strongly influence our
thinking and conduct. This is evident in obvious,
simple ways; a teenage boy wears his cap backward
in a TV situation comedy, and soon boys nationwide
imitate the style. News stories describe a new toy,
the Mighty Morphin Power Rangers, and the Fox
television network builds a series around it. At
Christmas parents jam stores, trying to find the
Power Rangers for their children. Actors playing the
characters perform for Congress in the House Office
Building on the day in 1995 when the Republicans
took command of the House and Senate.

31. C. Parents will do anything to find toys
for their children at Christmas.
Clearly the mass media strongly influence our
thinking and conduct. This is evident in obvious,
simple ways; a teenage boy wears his cap backward
in a TV situation comedy, and soon boys nationwide
imitate the style. News stories describe a new toy,
the Mighty Morphin Power Rangers, and the Fox
television network builds a series around it. At
Christmas parents jam stores, trying to find the
Power Rangers for their children. Actors playing the
characters perform for Congress in the House Office
Building on the day in 1995 when the Republicans
took command of the House and Senate.

32. D. Actors perform as zany cartoon characters
at presidential inaugurations.
Clearly the mass media strongly influence our
thinking and conduct. This is evident in obvious,
simple ways; a teenage boy wears his cap backward
in a TV situation comedy, and soon boys nationwide
imitate the style. News stories describe a new toy,
the Mighty Morphin Power Rangers, and the Fox
television network builds a series around it. At
Christmas parents jam stores, trying to find the
Power Rangers for their children. Actors playing the
characters perform for Congress in the House Office
Building on the day in 1995 when the Republicans
took command of the House and Senate.

33. One conclusion that can be drawn
from the first paragraph is
A. News reporters often support advertisers
in promoting merchandise.
B. Mass media often initiate styles and fads.
C. Parents will do anything to find toys for
their children at Christmas.
D. Actors perform as zany cartoon characters
at presidential inaugurations.

34. Identify the relationship between
these sentences from paragraph two.
"The national campaign to forbid smoking in public places, so
strong in the mid-1990s, developed from a spate of news
stories about the health dangers created by second-hand
smoke. This led to a ban against smoking on airlines, creation
of smoke-free areas in restaurants, and in some cities a total
ban against smoking in restaurants and public buildings.”
A. cause and effect
B. addition
C. contrast
D. statement and clarification

35. Identify the relationship between
these sentences from paragraph two.
"The national campaign to forbid smoking in public places, so
strong in the mid-1990s, developed from a spate of news
stories about the health dangers created by second-hand
smoke. This led to a ban against smoking on airlines, creation
of smoke-free areas in restaurants, and in some cities a total
ban against smoking in restaurants and public buildings.”
A. cause and effect
B. addition
C. contrast
D. statement and clarification

36. Identify the relationship between
these sentences from paragraph two.
"The national campaign to forbid smoking in public places, so
strong in the mid-1990s, developed from a spate of news
stories about the health dangers created by second-hand
smoke. This led to a ban against smoking on airlines, creation
of smoke-free areas in restaurants, and in some cities a total
ban against smoking in restaurants and public buildings.”
A. cause and effect
B. addition
C. contrast
D. statement and clarification

37. For the most part, the author of
this passage shows bias in favor of
A. restricting the influence of mass media
B. using mass media for political influence
C. the positive impact of mass media
D. regulating the content of mass media

38. For the most part, the author of
this passage shows bias in favor of
= feels good about…
A. restricting the influence of mass media
B. using mass media for political influence
C. the positive impact of mass media
D. regulating the content of mass media

39. Paragraph 2
The cultural, social, and political impact of the media, of
course, runs far deeper than these surface manifestations. The
media create public opinion to bring about significant changes.
The national campaign to forbid smoking in public places, so
strong in the mid-1990s, developed from a spate of news stories
about the health dangers created by second-hand smoke. This led
to ban against smoking on airlines, creation of smoke-free areas
in restaurants, and in some cities a total ban against smoking in
restaurants and public buildings. Sensing public support,
President Clinton took the issue into the national political arena
in 1995 by authorizing a federal regulatory campaign to decrease
smoking by teenagers. Similarly, national awareness of the
outbreak of the acquired immune deficiency syndrome (AIDS) and
the promotion of safe sex practices to avoid exposure to the fatal
disease came about primarily through the mass media.

40. Paragraph 2
The cultural, social, and political impact of the media, of
course, runs far deeper than these surface manifestations. The
media create public opinion to bring about significant changes.
The national campaign to forbid smoking in public places, so
strong in the mid-1990s, developed from a spate of news stories
about the health dangers created by second-hand smoke. This led
to ban against smoking on airlines, creation of smoke-free areas
in restaurants, and in some cities a total ban against smoking in
restaurants and public buildings. Sensing public support,
President Clinton took the issue into the national political arena
in 1995 by authorizing a federal regulatory campaign to decrease
smoking by teenagers. Similarly, national awareness of the
outbreak of the acquired immune deficiency syndrome (AIDS) and
the promotion of safe sex practices to avoid exposure to the fatal
disease came about primarily through the mass media.

41. For the most part, the author of
this passage shows bias in favor of
= feels good about…
A. restricting the influence of mass media
B. using mass media for political influence
C. the positive impact of mass media
D. regulating the content of mass media

42. For the most part, the author of
this passage shows bias in favor of
= feels good about…
A. restricting the influence of mass media
B. using mass media for political influence
C. the positive impact of mass media
D. regulating the content of mass media