Question 1

All of the following statements are true, except
A) sometimes we want more reality than fantasy in a media message.
B) sometimes we want more fantasy than reality in a media message.
C) in Hollywood movies we need some reality cues.
D) In the news we don't need any fantasy elements.

Accepted Answer

The statement "In the news we don't need any fantasy elements" is not entirely true. While it is important for news to accurately represent facts and events, there can still be subjective elements such as the angle or tone of the reporting. Additionally, news outlets may use visuals or graphics that could be considered fanciful or exaggerated.

Question 2

The "formula with farce" mentioned in the text refers to
A) the fact that the genre of "reality television" is deceptive and far from reality.
B) the strategy of identifying niche markets.
C) media stories that start with an ordinary situation and then remove the audience from reality one step at a time.
D) the common formula for suspense movies.

Accepted Answer

The "formula with farce" mentioned in the text is specifically described as media stories that start with an ordinary situation and then remove the audience from reality one step at a time. This is the only option that directly matches the description given in the text. The other options are either too broad or unrelated to the concept of "formula with farce."

Question 3

The fantasy elements in media messages
A) are unnecessary.
B) signal to audiences that the message resonates with real-life experiences.
C) signal to audiences that the message offers something novel.
D) None of the above

Accepted Answer

Fantasy elements in media messages signal to audiences that the message offers something novel and different from their everyday experiences. This can enhance the appeal of the message and capture the audience's attention.

Question 4

"Puffery" refers to
A) the fact that Americans can choose from more than 40,000 supermarket items.
B) the fact that the United States produces more waste than any other country in the world.
C) ads making implicit claims that cannot be tested for the truth.
D) None of the above

Accepted Answer

Puffery refers to advertising claims that are exaggerated or subjective, making implicit claims that cannot be tested for the truth. Option A is simply a statement of fact, and option B is a statement that may or may not be true but is not relevant to the definition of puffery.

Question 5

One reason why people go to media rather than getting an experience in real life is that
A) they are bored.
B) they can also get those experiences in real life.
C) it costs less to get those experiences in the media than in real life.
D) None of the above

Accepted Answer

It costs less to get those experiences in the media than in real life. Accessing experiences through media often requires less financial investment compared to the costs associated with real-life experiences, such as travel, admission fees, or equipment.

Question 6

Audiences enjoy tragedies because they make people feel
A) better off compared with unfortunate characters.
B) positive emotions when they see the happy ending.
C) satisfied when bad things happen to the main characters.
D) All of the above

Accepted Answer

Tragedies often feature unfortunate events happening to the main characters, which can trigger feelings of gratitude and relief among the audience that they are not in their shoes.

Question 7

Commercial advertisements are included in
A) the narrative meta-genre.
B) the games meta-genre.
C) the persuasion meta-genre.
D) interactive message platforms.

Accepted Answer

The answer of Commercial advertisements are included in
A) the narrative...

Question 8

The genetic blueprint for a successful movie contains
A) more love, sex, and romance than comedy.
B) more comedy than action.
C) more action than sex.
D) more special effects than action.

Accepted Answer

C) More action than sex is often a successful formula for movies, as action tends to appeal to a wider audience and can drive the plot forward effectively.

Question 9

The inverted pyramid news-writing formula
A) developed as an adaptation to the digital news environment.
B) tells a story in an entertainment format.
C) begins a story with the most important information.
D) begins with teasers and ends with the most important information.

Accepted Answer

The inverted pyramid news-writing formula is a traditional format used in print journalism that begins a story with the most important information first, followed by supporting details and background information in descending order of importance. This format is designed to grab the reader's attention with the key facts and provide a clear understanding of the story, without requiring them to read the entire article. It is not specific to the digital news environment nor is it designed for entertainment purposes.

Question 10

In general, which of the following statements about action/horror formulas is NOT true?
A) Violence is a staple.
B) They send the message that it is wrong for police officers to break the law.
C) Characters are stereotypes.
D) Characters are static.

Accepted Answer

Action/horror formulas often feature police officers or other authority figures breaking the law to achieve their goals, so they do not typically send the message that it is wrong for them to do so. The other statements are generally true of action/horror formulas.

Question 11

All media messages follow
A) rules of entertainment.
B) rules of media genres.
C) conventions that can be expressed as message formulas.
D) All of the above

Accepted Answer

Media messages follow conventions that can be expressed as message formulas, which are established patterns or structures used to convey information effectively.

Question 12

Audience members know how to recognize and understand suspenseful cues in stories. This is evidence that
A) audiences know how to use message formulas.
B) audiences understand media genres.
C) audiences know how to use interactive message platforms.
D) All of the above

Accepted Answer

Recognizing and understanding suspenseful cues in stories shows that audiences have a familiarity and understanding of media genres, which is option B. It does not necessarily show that they know how to use message formulas or interactive message platforms, which are options A and C, respectively.

Question 13

Reality shows are included in
A) the narrative meta-genre.
B) the games meta-genre.
C) the persuasion meta-genre.
D) interactive message platforms.

Accepted Answer

Reality shows fall under the narrative meta-genre as they tend to follow a storyline and focus on the personal lives and experiences of the participants.

Question 14

The next-step reality formula
A) guides viewers in choosing only realistic messages.
B) focuses viewers' attention on the idea that all media messages are both real and fantasy.
C) assists the audience in escaping reality.
D) helps viewers determine which messages are real and which are fantasy.

Accepted Answer

The next-step reality formula suggests that media messages are a blend of reality and fantasy, capturing viewers' attention by being relatable yet offering an escape from everyday life.

Question 15

News are included in
A) the narrative meta-genre.
B) the games meta-genre.
C) the persuasion meta-genre.
D) interactive message platforms.

Accepted Answer

News are included in the narrative meta-genre because they are a type of storytelling that presents information about events, people, and places in a factual and objective manner.

Question 16

The reality elements in media messages
A) are unnecessary.
B) signal to audiences that the message resonates with real-life experiences.
C) signal to audiences that the message offers something novel.
D) None of the above

Accepted Answer

Reality elements in media messages signal to audiences that the message resonates with real-life experiences, making the message more relatable and believable.

Question 17

The key element of a put-down comedy is
A) imbalance of power between characters.
B) physical aggression.
C) quirky characters that illustrate the craziness of everyday life.
D) a budding romance between characters.

Accepted Answer

The key element of a put-down comedy is the imbalance of power between characters, where one character is made to feel inferior or embarrassed by another character's witty insults or condescending remarks. This dynamic creates a humorous tension that drives the plot of the comedy. Physical aggression, quirky characters, and romance may be present in a put-down comedy, but they are not the defining characteristic.

Question 18

Formulas are 
A) conventions that message producers use as guidelines when creating messages.
B) guides that audiences use when extracting meanings from messages.
C) essential to both message producers and message receiver
D) All of the above

Accepted Answer

Formulas can be seen as conventions that message producers use as guidelines when creating messages, ensuring that their content is structured in a way that is familiar and understandable to the intended audience. They also serve as guides that audiences use when extracting meanings from messages, as they provide a framework for interpreting the information presented. Additionally, formulas are essential to both message producers and message receivers because they facilitate effective communication by providing a common ground for the exchange of ideas and information. Therefore, the answer is D) All of the above.

Question 19

The three meta-genres of mass media content are
A) narratives, games, and interactive message platforms.
B) information, persuasion, and entertainment.
C) drama, comedy, and romance.
D) news, advertising, and drama.

Accepted Answer

The answer of The three meta-genres of mass media content...

Question 20

Producers of mass media messages apply message formulas to
A) attract audience members.
B) hold the attention of audience members throughout the entire message.
C) make audience members want to seek additional messages from them.
D) All of the above

Accepted Answer

Producers of mass media messages use message formulas to accomplish all three purposes mentioned in the answer choices. They use strategies that attract and engage the audience, keep their attention throughout the message, and leave them wanting more, ultimately creating loyal viewers, listeners or readers.

Quiz 7: Mass Media Content

All of the following statements are true, except

The "formula with farce" mentioned in the text refers to

The fantasy elements in media messages

"Puffery" refers to

One reason why people go to media rather than getting an experience in real life is that

Audiences enjoy tragedies because they make people feel

Commercial advertisements are included in

The genetic blueprint for a successful movie contains

The inverted pyramid news-writing formula

In general, which of the following statements about action/horror formulas is NOT true?

All media messages follow

Audience members know how to recognize and understand suspenseful cues in stories. This is evidence that

Reality shows are included in

The next-step reality formula

News are included in

The reality elements in media messages

The key element of a put-down comedy is

Formulas are

The three meta-genres of mass media content are

Producers of mass media messages apply message formulas to