REALITY TV

1. Which statement might both authors support?

• A. Reality TV sometimes shows the less than ideal sides of people on the screen.

• B. Most of the appeal of reality TV comes from Americans being hooked on cheap thrills.

• C. Critics are having a difficult time deciding which shows count as reality TV and which ones do not.

• D. More people are exploring their artistic talents after being inspired by what they see on reality TV shows.

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2. Which of the following examples would the author of the Point essay most likely consider to be quality television programming?

• A. Reality programs that admit they are not real

• B. Exciting programs in which athletes compete for a cash prize

• C. Programs showcasing people who have mediocre talent but can become famous anyway

• D. Political discussion programs

3. Re-read the following passage, a quote from comedian and actor Tom Green. Which of the following inferences is best supported by the following quote?

Our media is shaping culture and training the audience to no longer demand quality programming. I had always presumed that the major corporations that ruled our media were far more responsible than I. Apparently, I was wrong.

• A. Mr. Green thinks that reality TV shows should be banned from network programming.

• B. Mr. Green believes that people who watch trashy reality TV shows will be able to overcome any negative influence those shows might have on them.

• C. Mr. Green believes that people will be pleasantly surprised by quality TV programs since reality TV has set their expectations so low.

• D. Mr. Green thinks that networks should take the lead in creating quality programming in order to have a positive effect on society.

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4. The author of the Point essay would most likely respond to the following passage from the Counterpoint essay by pointing out that fill in the blank___________.

One dancer from Texas, for example, has danced professionally in music videos and on TV shows such as Glee since appearing on So You Think You Can Dance. These shows inspire young viewers. They see people like them succeeding. So they may think, “I can do that.” In this way, reality shows encourage young people to reach for the stars.

• A. children are attempting to become inventors and artists since they began seeing artists and inventors on reality shows

• B. viewers are just as likely to imitate the bad behaviors seen on Jersey Shore or Honey Boo Boo as a way to try to make themselves into stars.

• C. viewers who become singers or dancers after watching reality TV shows are likely to spend their whole lives trying to catch a break

• D. children get so invested in reality TV stars that it will lead to a never-ending cycle of TV viewing

5. The author of the Counterpoint essay would most likely respond to the following passage from the Point essay (Paragraph 3) by pointing out that fill in the blank___________.

They are easily influenced by what they see, and they see that bad behavior is rewarded. Young viewers learn that those who treat others with pettiness and contempt become rich and famous. In fact, in 2011, one of the stars of Jersey Shore was paid more to address Rutgers University students than was Toni Morrison, a Nobel prize-winning author.

• A. children are more likely to attend college if they know they might be able to see one of the stars of Jersey Shore speaking there

• B. young viewers of Jersey Shore might feel better about their own issues and the way they act after watching the bad behavior of Jersey Shore stars

• C. children were unlikely to be influenced by authors like Toni Morrison in the first place

• D. most cast members of Jersey Shore would never have found their way onto a college campus if not for the success of their show

6. Which of the following statements most strongly supports the correct answer to Question 5?

• A. “Survivor can be said to build teamwork, but the challenges the contestants face are admittedly not real.”

• B. “They see people with problems similar to (or worse than) their own. As a result, they may realize that their own struggles are not as bad as they thought.”

• C. “The NAACP reported in 2008 that reality programs are the only segment of television that fairly represents nonwhite groups.”

• D. "As a result, the careers of many participants have been launched by way of these programs, even though these contestants did not win the competition.”

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7. Which of the following claims best supports the argument about reality TV in the Counterpoint essay?

• A. Celebrity and competition reality TV shows have a clear and lasting negative influence on their viewers.

• B. No one is going to be able to solve the question of whether reality TV has any influence over its viewers.

• C. Viewers are becoming more knowledgeable about difficult subjects and are able to improve their lives because of what they see on reality TV.

• D. Viewers no longer demand quality programming because of the cheap thrills they get watching reality TV.

8. Which of the following statements most strongly supports the correct answer to Question 7?

• A. “The days of looking up to inventors, artists, and genuinely successful people are gone.”

• B. “Most people who claim that reality TV has had a negative effect on society are mainly referring to shows that focus on celebrities such as Keeping up with the Kardashians or on contrived competitions such as Survivor.”

• C. “For example, shows such as Hoarders increase public awareness of a serious mental health problem. Other shows, such as Supernanny, give parents and caregivers tips on how to handle children.”

• D. "Which came first: the chicken or the egg? This age-old question can easily be applied to the controversy surrounding reality television.”

CONTROVERSY

• heated and often public

• a variety of things

• pollute one’s integrity

• take advantage of

• to impact or effect

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DIVERSITY

• heated and often public

• a variety of things

• pollute one’s integrity

• take advantage of

• to impact or effect

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