7 questions on media studies

7 questions on media studies

Media studies is "nowhere near as academically demanding" as science, languages or maths, say the Conservatives, who want it to carry less weight in school league tables. Test yourself on some of the topics pupils may cover. It is NOT based on a mock exam, as these are largely practical.

1.) Multiple Choice Question

Who is the target audience - a key question for any media organisation. One way is to use letter codes to denote the income bracket and job type. What is a teacher classed as?

1. A
   
2. B
   
3. C1
   
4. C2
   

2.) Multiple Choice Question

Pupils study the fonts, graphics and layout of newspapers, comics and websites. Which font does the BBC News website use?

1. Helvetica
   
2. Times New Roman
   
3. Verdana
   
4. Courier New
   

3.) Multiple Choice Question

In newspaper parlance, what does the term "nib" refer to?

1. Part of a printing press
   
2. Very short news article
   
3. A sub-editor who checks grammar
   

4.) Multiple Choice Question

What does the 30° rule apply to?

1. Film editing
   
2. Placement of key features in an advert
   
3. Optimum angle for a sound boom on set
   

5.) Multiple Choice Question

According to a recent poll of the media habits of 14- to 21-year-olds, which is the most popular online activity?

1. Researching for school or work
   
2. Downloading music
   
3. Chatting online
   
4. Playing games
   

6.) Multiple Choice Question

It's a blockbuster. But is a film's box office ranking based on...

1. Number of people who've seen it
   
2. Amount earned from ticket sales
   

7.) Multiple Choice Question

And finally, pupils study owners and regulatory bodies in the industry. Which of these bodies deals with complaints about the editorial content of magazines?

1. ASA
   
2. BBFC
   
3. Icstis
   
4. PCC
   

Answers

1. It's B, along with middle management and those in the creative industries. A denotes bankers and doctors; C1 for nurses and junior managers; C2 for skilled tradespeople; D for semi and unskilled manual workers; and E for the unemployed, pensioners and students.
2. The BBC News website uses Verdana - a sans serif (no twiddly bits) typeface designed to be readable at small sizes on a computer screen.
3. It's a very short article, usually just a few sentences - nib stands for news in brief.
4. The 30° rule is a basic principle of film editing, which states the camera should move at least 30° between shots of the same subject, to give a substantially different view.
5. It's chatting in online communities, according to a recent ICM poll used in a GCSE specimen paper. Second was researching for school or work, and third was downloading music.
6. It's the amount earned from ticket sales. But studios can blur the waters when it comes to how profitable a film is, often leaving promotional costs out of the equation.
7. It's the PCC - Press Complaints Commission. The ASA is the Advertising Standards Authority. The BBFC classifies films, videos and games. And Icstis - now called Phonepayplus - is the premium rate services regulator.

Your Score

0 - 3 : Runner

4 - 6 : Copy sub

7 - 7 : Director general in waiting

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