Year 9: Real Stories Knowledge Test

Which of these means 'someone who is not directly involved in a particular situation, and is therefore able to give a fair opinion or decision about it?'

• objective

• impartial

• superlative

• subjective

Answer explanation

The correct answer is 'impartial.' An impartial person is not directly involved in a particular situation, allowing them to provide a fair opinion or decision. Objective and subjective refer to perspectives, while superlative is a term used to describe the highest degree of a quality. Impartial best fits the description in the question.

Which of these means 'prejudice in favor of or against one thing, person, or group compared with another, usually in a way considered to be unfair'?

• opinion

• objective

• bias

• impartial

Answer explanation

The correct answer is 'bias' as it refers to prejudice in favor of or against one thing, person, or group compared with another, usually in a way considered to be unfair. The other options, 'opinion', 'objective', and 'impartial', do not fit the given definition.

Which of these means 'presented in a manner intended to arouse curiosity or interest, especially through the inclusion of exaggerated or shocking details'?

• objective

• compelled

• subjective

• sensationalist

Answer explanation

The term 'sensationalist' refers to presenting information in a way that is intended to arouse curiosity or interest, often through the use of exaggerated or shocking details. This is in contrast to the other options: 'objective' means unbiased and factual, 'compelled' means forced or obligated, and 'subjective' means based on personal feelings or opinions. Therefore, 'sensationalist' is the correct choice.

What does 'representation' mean?

• Language designed to have a persuasive or impressive effect, but which is often regarded as lacking in sincerity or meaningful content.

• The description or portrayal of someone or something in a particular way.

• Prejudice in favor of or against one thing, person, or group compared with another, usually in a way considered to be unfair.

• The use of images to convey meaning.

Answer explanation

Representation refers to the way someone or something is described or portrayed. In this context, it means presenting a subject in a particular manner. The correct choice highlights this definition, emphasizing the description or portrayal aspect of representation, which sets it apart from the other options.

What does 'misinformation' mean?

• A lack of fairness or justice.

• Information that is misused

• Untrue or wrong information

• Information that causes damage

Answer explanation

The question asks for the meaning of 'misinformation'. The correct answer is 'Untrue or wrong information'. This is because the term 'misinformation' refers to information that is not accurate or correct. The other options do not accurately define 'misinformation'.

Which of these is 'a figure of speech in the form of a question that is asked to make a point rather than to elicit an answer'?

• Rhetoric

• Rhetorical question

• Exaggeration/hyperbole

• Superlatives

Answer explanation

The question asks for a figure of speech that is used to make a point rather than to get an answer. The correct choice is 'Rhetorical question'. This is because a rhetorical question is a type of figure of speech that is asked to make a point, and the person asking the question does not expect an answer.

What is an 'anecdote'?

• Expressing the highest or a very high degree of a quality

• A short story used to reinforce or back up a point

• An exaggeration for effect

• The use of personal pronouns (you, we, us) to connect to the audience.

Answer explanation

An 'anecdote' is a short story used to reinforce or back up a point. This is the correct choice because it aligns with the definition of an anecdote. The other options, expressing the highest degree of a quality, an exaggeration for effect, and the use of personal pronouns to connect to the audience, do not accurately define what an anecdote is.

What is 'emotive language'?

• Exaggeration for effect

• Words or phrases that manipulate your reader's emotions

• The use of personal pronouns (you, we, us) to connect to the audience.

• A view or judgement formed about something, not necessarily based on fact or knowledge.

Answer explanation

Emotive language refers to words or phrases that are designed to stir up or manipulate the reader's emotions. This is used to make the reader feel a certain way about the information being presented. The correct answer is not about exaggeration, the use of personal pronouns, or forming a judgement, but rather about manipulating emotions through language.

What are 'superlatives'?

• The use of personal pronouns (you, we, us) to connect to the audience.

• Words or phrases that manipulate your reader's emotions

• Expressing the highest or a very high degree of a quality (e.g. bravest, most fiercely)

• A statement that represents something as better or worse than it really is

Answer explanation

Superlatives are used to express the highest or a very high degree of a quality. For example, 'bravest' or 'most fiercely'. This is not about using personal pronouns, manipulating reader's emotions, or representing something as better or worse than it really is. The question was asking about the definition of 'superlatives', and the correct answer aligns with this definition.

10. Should rhetorical (persuasive) techniques be used in unbiased news stories, opinion articles, or both?

• Unbiased news stories

• Opinion articles

• Both

Answer explanation

Rhetorical or persuasive techniques are typically used in opinion articles, not unbiased news stories. Unbiased news stories should present facts without any bias or persuasion. On the other hand, opinion articles are meant to persuade the reader to agree with the author's viewpoint, hence the use of rhetorical techniques.