OSSLT Interpreting News Reports 2 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: In a news report, the dateline (e.g., 'TORONTO —') tells the reader:
- When the story was written
- Where the story was reported from (Correct answer)
- Who wrote the story
- Which newspaper published it
Correct answer: Where the story was reported from
The dateline indicates the location from which the journalist filed or reported the story.
Question 2: A news report uses the phrase 'sources close to the mayor say…' This language signals that the information is:
- Confirmed official policy
- Anonymous and unverified by named sources (Correct answer)
- A direct quote from the mayor
- A historical fact
Correct answer: Anonymous and unverified by named sources
Unnamed or anonymous sources mean the claim has not been attributed to a verifiable, named individual.
Question 3: Which news report structure places the least important details last?
- Chronological order
- Inverted pyramid (Correct answer)
- Narrative structure
- Problem-solution
Correct answer: Inverted pyramid
The inverted pyramid puts the most newsworthy information first and background or minor details last.
Question 4: A reporter writes: 'The government claims the policy will create jobs, but critics argue it will have the opposite effect.' This sentence is an example of:
- Editorial bias favoring the government
- Balanced reporting presenting multiple perspectives (Correct answer)
- An unsupported opinion
- A factual conclusion
Correct answer: Balanced reporting presenting multiple perspectives
Presenting both the government's claim and critics' counterargument reflects balanced, objective reporting.
Question 5: In a news report, why is it important to note the date of publication?
- It determines the author's credibility
- It helps assess whether the information is still current (Correct answer)
- It shows which events happened first
- It identifies the target audience
Correct answer: It helps assess whether the information is still current
A story's publication date helps readers judge whether the facts, statistics, or situation may have changed.
Question 6: A headline reads: 'School Budget Slashed by Millions.' The word 'slashed' is best described as:
- A neutral, factual verb
- A loaded word that suggests a dramatic, negative cut (Correct answer)
- A technical term used in financial reporting
- An objective description of a routine process
Correct answer: A loaded word that suggests a dramatic, negative cut
'Slashed' carries a strongly negative connotation, making the cut sound sudden and severe rather than planned.
Question 7: When a news article includes a graph showing rising unemployment rates, the graph's primary purpose is to:
- Replace the need for written statistics
- Provide visual evidence that supports and clarifies the report's data (Correct answer)
- Express the journalist's opinion
- Entertain readers with design elements
Correct answer: Provide visual evidence that supports and clarifies the report's data
Graphs and visual aids in news reports are used to present data clearly and reinforce the article's key statistics.
OSSLT Interpreting News Reports 2
In a news report, the dateline (e.g., 'TORONTO —') tells the reader: