Read each question carefully and then select the best answer.
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| 1 | |
You have just been assigned to a new beat. Which of the following should you NOT do? |
| | A) | do research |
| | B) | talk to your predecessor |
| | C) | get out of the newsroom and meet people |
| | D) | look for new ways to cover your beat |
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| 2 | |
Which of the following is NOT a good practice when you are working a beat? |
| | A) | getting cozy with your sources as soon as possible |
| | B) | familiarizing yourself with your state's open records and open meetings laws |
| | C) | calling sources back to verify facts |
| | D) | writing for your readers rather than trying to impress insiders or experts |
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| 3 | |
Which of the following is NOT a basic rule that a beat reporter should follow? |
| | A) | Don't get used. |
| | B) | Don't follow the money. |
| | C) | Don't waste sources' time. |
| | D) | Don't simply mimic what your predecessor did. |
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| 4 | |
What information is essential in an obituary? |
| | A) | name, age, cause of death, funeral information |
| | B) | name, citizenship, funeral arrangements, identification |
| | C) | name, funeral information, day/place of death, race |
| | D) | name, survivors, personal problems, cause of death |
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| 5 | |
When talking to families about the deceased, you should NOT: |
| | A) | read from a script if you are unsure what to say. |
| | B) | get involved by being sympathetic to family members. |
| | C) | gather a lot of details by asking follow-up questions. |
| | D) | avoid asking family members for information, because they may be too upset. |
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| 6 | |
When writing a story about an accident, be sure to include: |
| | A) | names of victims, extent of injuries, location, and time. |
| | B) | extent of injuries, information from bystanders about the cause of the accident, and location. |
| | C) | information from bystanders about the cause of the accident, location, and time. |
| | D) | location, time, and names of policemen working the accident. |
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| 7 | |
Which of the following is NOT something to do to prepare your newsroom for a disaster story? |
| | A) | anticipate your worst-case scenarios |
| | B) | coordinate with authorities at the scene of the disaster |
| | C) | prepare a field kit |
| | D) | devise a newsroom battle plan |
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| 8 | |
When you arrive at the scene of a disaster, you should be prepared to do all of the following EXCEPT: |
| | A) | question people on the scene before you interview authorities. |
| | B) | go where the action is. |
| | C) | talk to victims and eyewitnesses. |
| | D) | check in often with your editors and collaborate. |
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| 9 | |
When writing a story about a fire, which of the following types of information should be excluded? |
| | A) | acts of heroism |
| | B) | how the fire was discovered |
| | C) | the private lives of the firemen |
| | D) | the estimated cost of damage |
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| 10 | |
Sometimes we need to withhold certain identifications from stories, usually pertaining to those involved in a crime, especially suspects. Which of the following are excluded in this policy? |
| | A) | minors |
| | B) | victims of sensitive crimes |
| | C) | suspects |
| | D) | law enforcement personnel |
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| 11 | |
You can't cover every court trial, and most just are not newsworthy. Which of the following would probably be no exception to this? |
| | A) | murder cases |
| | B) | sex crimes |
| | C) | celebrity trials |
| | D) | important legal rulings |
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| 12 | |
Which of the following activities would be unlikely to result in a reporter being arrested? |
| | A) | using a camera in a courtroom where photos have been forbidden |
| | B) | talking to jurors or witnesses while a trial is underway |
| | C) | taking notes while a trial is in progress |
| | D) | talking loudly, using a cell phone, reading the newspaper, or other rude behavior that may annoy the judge |
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| 13 | |
You should do which of the following prior to a speech? |
| | A) | research the speaker |
| | B) | monitor the mood of the crowd |
| | C) | highlight the speaker's key points |
| | D) | convey the tone of the speech |
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| 14 | |
You should do which of the following during a speech: |
| | A) | research the speaker |
| | B) | monitor the mood of the crowd |
| | C) | highlight the speaker's key points |
| | D) | convey the tone of the speech |
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| 15 | |
You should do which of the following when you are writing a story about a speech? |
| | A) | research the speaker |
| | B) | monitor the mood of the crowd |
| | C) | highlight the speaker's key points |
| | D) | take along a tape recorder |
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| 16 | |
Which of the following is NOT part of your story about a speech? |
| | A) | the lead, summarizing the most newsworthy or provocative point |
| | B) | a powerful quote from the speech in the second paragraph |
| | C) | the format of the speech described in the third paragraph |
| | D) | the rest of the story combining quotes, descriptions, background information and audience reaction. |
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| 17 | |
Which of the following would you NOT include in a story about a speech? |
| | A) | the speaker's name |
| | B) | your opinion of the speaker's content |
| | C) | the speaker's relevant credentials |
| | D) | a description of the audience |
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| 18 | |
When covering campaigns and elections, which of the following should you NOT do? |
| | A) | prioritize which campaigns are the most important to cover with your limited resources |
| | B) | prepare your story in advance |
| | C) | get to know the candidates |
| | D) | do your homework |
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| 19 | |
When writing an advance for a sporting event or game, which of the following would you NOT need to include? |
| | A) | the significance of the game |
| | B) | the key players |
| | C) | quotes from coaches or players |
| | D) | your prediction about who will win |
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| 20 | |
As a reporter covering a sports beat, you should: |
| | A) | know the sport, cultivate your sources and ask tough, pointed questions. |
| | B) | cultivate your sources, ask tough, pointed questions, and use appropriate sports jargon. |
| | C) | ask tough, pointed questions, use appropriate sports jargon, and know the sport. |
| | D) | use appropriate sports jargon, know the sport, and cultivate your sources. |
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