《英语报刊选读》作业答案 作业（1） A. Multiple Choices. 1. A 2. C 3. C 4. A 5. B 6. C 7. A 8. B 9. C 10. A、D、E、H、I B. Read the following statements and decide whether they are true (T) or false (F). True: 1、4、5、8 False: 2、3、6、7
作业（2）
Keys:
1. Give the definition of the following terms.
1) feature
a prominent or special article, story, or department in a
newspaper or periodical.
2) editorial
an article in a publication expressing the opinion of its editors or
publishers.
3) op-ed
of or being a newspaper page, usually opposite the editorial
page, that features signed articles expressing personal
viewpoints
4) inverted pyramid
The inverted pyramid is a traditional form of writing in which the
news is stacked in paragraphs in order of descending
importance. The lead summarizes the principal items of a news event. The second paragraph and each succeeding paragraph
contain secondary or supporting details in order of decreasing
significance. All the paragraphs in the story contain newsworthy
information, but each paragraph is less vital than the one before
it. Inverted-pyramid form puts the climax of a story at the
beginning, in the lead.
5) lead
A lead is a terse opening paragraph that provides the gist of the
story and invites readers inside.
2. What is the difference between hard news and soft news?
Hard news events, such as killings, and speeches by leading
government officials, are timely and are reported almost
automatically by the media. Soft news events, such as a car wash
by a fourth-graders to raise money for a classmate with cancer, are
not usually considered immediately important or timely to a wide
audience. These events still contain elements of news, however,
and the media often report them.
3. What is the difference between news and features?
A news story emphasizes the facts of the event, while the feature
displaces the facts to accommodate the human interest of the story.
4. What are the major criteria for newsworthiness?
Proximity
Prominence
Timeliness
Impact
Conflict and Controversy
Uniqueness
Human interest
5. What are the principles of news writing?
News writing tends to be:
1. Impersonal to make it appear objective (to distance the
reporter from the story) hence:
– Written in the third person
– Use of direct speech or indirect speech which is attributed
to someone other than the reporter,
– Some use of passive verbs but usually only when
someone who is being quoted wants to distance
themselves from an issue and to show objectively about n
issue.
2. About something that has taken place so mostly written in the past tense.
3. Simple – In fact close to the way we talk – relatively short
sentences and words and some use of clichés which the whole
audience understand.
4. Punchy – it must grab the reader’s attention so often uses:
– short rather than long words
– active verbs
– relatively short sentences
– concrete rather than abstract vocabulary
– sometimes emotive and colorful vocabulary
– some use (but not overuse) of adjectives
5. But also relatively formal hence:
– no use of contractions
– sentences written in full (no elision) or elliptical sentences
6. sometimes imagery is used to help create a clearer mental
picture for the reader.
7. often including the reporter’s by-line and/or a date-line
6. Read the following headlines and analyze the features of
the language they use.
a) More Iraqis Said to Flee Since Troop Rise
When passive voice is used in headlines, “to be” is always omitted. Here “are” in “More Iraqis are said to flee…” is omitted.
Nouns and noun phrases are often used in headlines to save
space. Noun phrases which actually express actions or state
are heavily used, and they are derived from verb phrases in
order to make the sentences more compact and save space
without lowering the amount of information conveyed. Instead of
“since the troop rises”, noun phrase “troop rise” is used.
b) Insurgent raid kills 22 villagers
Most headlines use the present tense-despite the fact that they
generally describe past events. The present tense gives the
subject a sense of freshness and immediacy, making it more
interesting to read. Instead of using “killed”, “kills” is used to
describe what happened in the past. Besides, the article “An” in
“an insurgent raid” is omitted.
c) Bangladesh Sets Curfew To Curb Student Protests
Short words (i.e. midget words) are often used to conserve
space in headlines, for example, “curb” in this headline. Besides,
present tense “sets” is used to describe a past event.
d) Storm Death Toll in Midwest Climbs
