Rise and Fall of MTV - ACT Prep Article

The passage claims that MTV alters its programming largely based on:

• how controversial the subject is

• avoiding everything that had already been done

• what can be considered cutting edge

• viewing ratings

According to the author, the most significant difference between "The Real World" and "Road Rules" is:

• the challenges to accomplish

• the year each was launched

• the cast

• the setting

The words infiltrate (line 16) and permeate (line 17) suggests the author feels that reality shows have:

• infested a station in which they do not belong

• hostilely taken over programming with little acceptance by the public

• infected minds of the viewers

• allowed viewers to experience things they normally would not

One of the main points the author seeks to make in the passage is that:

• MTV's first audience is unsatisfied with its programming

• MTV should rethink its programming to match its acronym

• Teens should be aware of MTV's roots

• MTV is careless with its programming

The tone of the piece can best be described as:

• ambiguous

• resentful

• refraining

• cruel

Which of the following questions is NOT answered by information in the passage?

• How long after its launch did it take MTV to begin showing reality shows?

• What kind of programming would MTV purists like to see?

• What time of night are videos actually aired on the network?

• Why was TRL cancelled?

In the context of the passage, what does the author mean when he states, "The technique of disguising the actual music" (line 42)

• Contrasting music played in the past, today's songs shown on reality shows are readily available on the internet

• Compared to early videos of MTV in which the music was secondary to the visual appeal, reality shows only use music as an accompaniment

• Contrasting modern music, songs written in previous decades are musically superior

• Compared to the music videos created in the '80s and '90s, modern videos pale in comparison visually

In chronological order, the following events happened in what sequence?

I. MTV removes "Music Television" from its logo

II. Critics claim that MTV was more concerned with videography than music quality

III. The Dead Kennedys release a song named "MTV Get Off The Air"

• II, III, I

• I, III, II

• II, I, III

• III, II, I

As it is used in line 32, the word appease can mean all of the following EXCEPT:

• Satisfy

• Gratify

• Pacify

• Vilify

The author of the article would likely agree with which of the following statements?

• MTV should be off the air

• MTV values style over substance

• Audiences today only care about reality shows and not music

• Shows like True Life and Teen Mom promote unknown and indie artists