Sample test questions
Choose the correct item in the following groups according to broadcast style.
a. a million, one million
b. Bill Clinton, president; President Bill Clinton
c. $40 dollars, forty dollars, 40 dollars
Which of the following is the “dramatic unity” approach to broadcast writing?
a. cause-effect-climax b. effect-cause-climax
c. climax-effect-cause d. climax-cause-effect
True or False Apposition should be avoided in broadcast writing.
True or False. One of the most important considerations of a broadcast journalist is the timeliness of the copy he or she is writing.
True or False Writing is not as important for broadcasting as it is for other media because little of what is spoken over the air is written down first.
True or False Deadlines are less important to the broadcast writer than the print journalist.
Name three factors, in addition to the traditional news values, that broadcasters use to select news. immediacy, emphasis on information not explanation, audio or visual impact
The UPI Broadcast Stylebook says that while print journalism has the five W’s, broadcast journalism has the four C’s. The four C’s are: correctness, clarity, conciseness, color
True or False In broadcasting, you should frequently include dependent clauses at the beginning of sentences.
“Space” in print corresponds to __time_____ in broadcasting.
The average length of a radio news story is about
a. 30 seconds b. 60 seconds c. 90 seconds d. 120 seconds
Whenever possible, broadcast writers should use the
a. active voice b. present tense c. both d. neither
Attribution in broadcast news should generally be placed
a. at the end of the sentence b. in the middle of the sentence
c. at the beginning of the sentence d. nowhere – it should be avoided
True or False Using the present tense in broadcast copy may be a good idea when the action is in the immediate past and has some continuing effect.
True or False In broadcast writing, you should use simple, declarative sentences.
Personal pronouns in broadcast copy
a. are good to use in direct quotes b. are good to use any time
c. are good to use in paraphrased quotes d. should never be used
A good time to use the present tense in broadcast copy is
a. when the action is continuing
b. when the action is completed
c. when you are uncertain about when something happened
d. whenever you want to
True or False Broadcast news writers try to eliminate all adjectives and adverbs from their copy unless they are absolutely necessary.
True or False If a broadcast writer has written a story so that it can be read within the allotted time, there is usually no reason to cut it.
True or False Personalizing stories — that is, telling the listener what the story will mean to him or her — is one good way of getting his or her attention.
The overriding news value in broadcast news is
a. unusual or bizarre b. conflict c. impact d. timeliness
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