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WorksheetsFBLA Journalism Competition Test
Total questions: 100
Worksheet time: 50mins
What are the traditional "5 W's and H" that should be answered in a news story?
Who, What, When, Where, Why, How
Who, What, When, Where, While, How
Who, What, When, Where, Why, However
Who, What, When, Where, Which, How
The most important information in a news story should be placed:
In the middle of the article for emphasis
At the end to create suspense for readers
In the lead paragraph using inverted pyramid structure
Throughout the article in equal distribution
Which type of journalism focuses on in-depth investigation of complex issues?
Breaking news reporting
Feature writing
Investigative journalism
Sports journalism
The "inverted pyramid" structure means:
Starting with details and building to the main point
Placing the most important information first, then supporting details
Using a chronological order for all events
Beginning with background information before the main story
What is a "lede" in journalism?
The final paragraph that wraps up the story
The opening sentence or paragraph of a news story
A direct quote from an interview subject
The headline of the article
Which of the following is NOT one of the core values of journalism?
Accuracy
Independence
Profitability
Accountability
What does "attribution" mean in journalism?
Giving credit to sources of information
Writing opinion pieces
Editing other writers' work
Creating headlines for stories
A "byline" refers to:
The deadline for submitting a story
The line that credits the author of an article
The final sentence of an article
The space between paragraphs
What is the difference between "hard news" and "soft news"?
Hard news is more difficult to write than soft news
Hard news covers serious, timely events; soft news covers entertainment and human interest
Hard news requires more sources than soft news
Hard news is only published in print media
The term "scoop" in journalism means:
A tool used for gathering information
An exclusive story that competitors don't have
A type of interview technique
The process of fact-checking
What is a "slug" in journalism?
A slow-moving story that lacks interest
A brief identifier for a story used in the newsroom
A type of printing error
An aggressive interview style
Which element is most important for establishing credibility in journalism?
Using complex vocabulary and technical terms
Including as many quotes as possible
Verifying facts through multiple reliable sources
Writing longer articles with more details
What does "off the record" mean?
Information that can be used but not attributed to the source
Information that cannot be used in any way
Information that must be verified with other sources
Information that can only be used in opinion pieces
The "news peg" refers to:
The hook that makes a story newsworthy and timely
The physical location where news happens
The person who assigns stories to reporters
The deadline for publishing news
What is the primary purpose of a news story's headline?
To provide the complete story in summary form
To attract readers while accurately representing the content
To express the journalist's opinion about the topic
To include as many keywords as possible
Which of the following best describes "objectivity" in journalism?
Writing only positive stories about subjects
Including personal opinions to help readers understand
Presenting facts fairly without bias or personal opinion
Focusing only on one side of controversial issues
What is a "stringer" in journalism?
A full-time staff reporter
A freelance correspondent who contributes stories regularly
An editor who reviews articles before publication
A photographer who works exclusively for one publication
The "masthead" of a publication contains:
The main headline of the day's top story
Publication information including staff names and contact details
The weather forecast and daily features
Advertising rates and subscription information
What does "embargo" mean in journalism?
A restriction preventing publication until a specified time
A complete ban on covering certain topics
A requirement to publish stories immediately
A type of investigative reporting technique
Which type of lead is most appropriate for breaking news?
Anecdotal lead that tells a personal story
Question lead that poses a query to readers
Summary lead that covers the basic facts immediately
Descriptive lead that sets the scene
What is the purpose of a "nut graf" in feature writing?
To provide statistical data supporting the story
To explain why the story matters and what it's really about
To introduce the main characters in the story
To conclude the article with a call to action
In journalism, what does "above the fold" refer to?
Information that appears on the top half of a newspaper's front page
Stories that are more important than others
Articles that are printed before the deadline
Content that appears in the header of a website
What is a "sidebar" in journalism?
The margin space used for editor's notes
A supplementary article that accompanies the main story
A type of interview conducted informally
The space reserved for advertisements
Which of the following is the best practice for conducting interviews?
Asking only yes/no questions to get clear answers
Preparing thoughtful, open-ended questions in advance
Recording without the subject's knowledge for authenticity
Avoiding follow-up questions to stay on schedule
What does "dateline" indicate in a news story?
The deadline for when the story must be published
The date and location where the story was reported
The date when the events in the story occurred
The publication date of the newspaper or website
Which amendment to the U.S. Constitution protects freedom of the press?
First Amendment
Fourth Amendment
Fifth Amendment
Fourteenth Amendment
What is "libel" in media law?
Spoken false statements that damage someone's reputation
Written false statements that damage someone's reputation
Any criticism of public officials
Invasion of privacy through photography
The difference between libel and slander is:
Libel is more serious than slander
Libel is written; slander is spoken
Libel applies to public figures; slander applies to private citizens
There is no legal difference between the terms
What must a public figure prove to win a libel case?
That the statement was false
That the statement caused financial damage
That the statement was made with actual malice
That the statement was published widely
Which of the following is generally considered "fair comment"?
Stating false facts about someone's personal life
Expressing opinion about a public figure's professional performance
Revealing private medical information
Publishing unverified rumors about celebrities
What does "actual malice" mean in libel law?
Intent to cause physical harm
Publishing with knowledge of falsity or reckless disregard for truth
Writing negative stories about someone
Refusing to publish corrections
The "public figure" doctrine in libel law means:
Public figures cannot sue for libel
Public figures have less privacy protection than private citizens
Public figures must meet a higher standard to prove libel
Public figures are always considered newsworthy
What are "shield laws"?
Laws that protect journalists from revealing confidential sources
Laws that prevent publication of certain government information
Laws that protect public figures from media criticism
Laws that require media outlets to carry disclaimers
The Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) allows:
Journalists to publish any information they want
Citizens to request access to government records
Government to classify any information as secret
Media outlets to avoid paying taxes
What is "prior restraint"?
Government censorship that prevents publication before it occurs
Legal action taken after publication
Self-censorship by media organizations
Delays in publishing due to fact-checking
Which of the following would likely be considered an invasion of privacy?
Reporting on a politician's voting record
Publishing photos taken in someone's private home without permission
Covering a public trial
Interviewing witnesses to a public event
The "right to privacy" generally does NOT protect:
Private conversations in public places
Activities that occur in public view
Information already in public records
All of the above
What is the "marketplace of ideas" theory?
The belief that truth emerges through competition of ideas in public discourse
The concept that news should be sold like any other product
The idea that journalism should focus on business news
The theory that media outlets should compete for advertising
Conflict of interest in journalism occurs when:
Reporters disagree with their editors
Personal interests might compromise professional judgment
Stories involve controversial topics
Multiple sources provide different information
What does "journalistic privilege" refer to?
Special access to government officials
The right to attend press conferences
Protection from revealing confidential sources
Immunity from all legal consequences
The Society of Professional Journalists' Code of Ethics emphasizes:
Maximizing profits for news organizations
Seeking truth, providing fair coverage, being independent, and being accountable
Supporting government policies
Entertaining readers above all else
What is "checkbook journalism"?
Paying sources for information or interviews
Covering financial news exclusively
Using accounting methods in newsroom management
Requiring payment for newspaper subscriptions
Which practice is generally considered unethical in journalism?
Using anonymous sources when necessary
Accepting gifts from sources or subjects
Reporting on controversial topics
Interviewing people who disagree with each other
The "sunshine laws" are designed to:
Regulate outdoor advertising
Ensure government meetings and records are open to public
Control the content of television programming
Manage newspaper distribution
What is "actual malice" standard primarily used for?
Criminal prosecutions of journalists
Civil libel cases involving public figures
Copyright infringement cases
Privacy invasion lawsuits
Which of the following is most likely protected as "fair use"?
Republishing entire articles from other publications
Using brief excerpts for news reporting or criticism
Copying photographs without permission
Broadcasting entire television programs
The "chilling effect" refers to:
The impact of air conditioning on newsroom productivity
Self-censorship due to fear of legal consequences
The decline in newspaper circulation
The effect of economic downturns on media
What is required for something to be considered "published" in libel law?
It must appear in a newspaper or magazine
It must be communicated to at least one other person
It must be distributed to more than 100 people
It must be available online
Which of the following best describes "editorial independence"?
Editors working without any supervision
News content being free from outside influence, including advertisers and owners
Newspapers operating without government licenses
Journalists working as freelancers rather than staff
The "neutral reportage" privilege protects:
Journalists who report accusations made by reliable sources about public figures
Any reporting that claims to be unbiased
Government officials who speak to the press
Sources who provide information anonymously
Which sentence demonstrates the most effective news writing style?
"The fire, which was a very devastating and destructive blaze, completely destroyed the building."
"Fire destroyed the Main Street building Tuesday night."
"It was reported that there was a fire that caused destruction to a building."
"A building experienced destruction due to fire-related circumstances."
When writing a news story, numbers under 10 should generally be:
Written as numerals (1, 2, 3)
Spelled out (one, two, three)
Avoided entirely
Written as Roman numerals (I, II, III)
The best way to handle quotes in news writing is to:
Paraphrase everything to maintain consistency
Use exact words and maintain the speaker's meaning
Improve the grammar and vocabulary of all speakers
Only use quotes that support the story's angle
Which lead is most effective for a news story?
There was an accident yesterday that involved several vehicles.
Three people died in a multi-car crash on Interstate 95 Tuesday morning.
Traffic was really bad yesterday due to an unfortunate incident.
Interstate 95 was the scene of tragedy when vehicles collided.
When should a journalist use passive voice?
Always, to maintain objectivity
Never, as it weakens writing
When the actor is unknown or less important than the action
Only in opinion pieces
The most important quality of effective news writing is:
Using sophisticated vocabulary
Including personal opinions
Being clear and concise
Making stories as long as possible
Which transition word best connects these sentences? "The mayor proposed a new budget. _____ city council members expressed concerns."
A. Therefore
B. However
C. Similarly
D. Meanwhile
When writing about ages, the correct AP style is:
"The 25-year-old man"
"The 25 year old man"
"The man, 25 years old,"
Both A and C are correct
Which approach is best for organizing a feature story?
Strict chronological order from beginning to end
Most important information first, like breaking news
Engaging lead, nut graf, supporting material, strong ending
Random order to keep readers interested
The best practice for handling controversial topics is to:
Present only one side to avoid confusion
Present multiple perspectives fairly and accurately
Avoid covering controversial topics entirely
Always side with the underdog
When conducting interviews, the most effective questions are:
Yes/no questions for clear answers
Leading questions that suggest the desired answer
Open-ended questions that encourage detailed responses
Multiple-choice questions with predetermined options
Which sentence shows proper attribution?
"The budget will increase taxes, according to the mayor."
"The mayor said the budget will increase taxes."
"The budget will increase taxes," the mayor said.
All of the above are correct
The purpose of a "bridge" in feature writing is to:
Connect the lead to the main body of the story
Separate different topics within the article
Provide a conclusion to the story
Introduce new characters
Which headline is most effective?
Local Man Does Something Interesting
City Council Votes on Important Issue
School Board Approves $2.3 Million Technology Upgrade
Meeting Held Yesterday About Various Topics
When should you use a direct quote versus a paraphrase?
Always use direct quotes to be accurate
Use direct quotes when the exact words are important or colorful
Never use direct quotes in news stories
Use direct quotes only from famous people
The best way to handle technical jargon in news stories is to:
Use it freely to sound professional
Avoid it completely
Explain it in simple terms for general readers
Use it only in headlines
Which story structure is most appropriate for breaking news?
Narrative structure with character development
Inverted pyramid with most important facts first
Chronological order from start to finish
Circular structure that returns to the beginning
The most effective way to end a news story is:
With a personal opinion about the topic
With a quote that reinforces the main point or provides closure
With "The End" to signal completion
With questions for readers to consider
When writing captions for photographs, you should:
Describe only what is obvious in the image
Provide context and identify people using present tense
Write lengthy explanations of the photo's significance
Include the photographer's interpretation of events
The best practice for fact-checking is to:
Trust information from any published source
Verify facts through multiple independent sources
Only check facts that seem questionable
Rely on social media for quick verification
Which sentence demonstrates proper AP style for titles?
A. "President Biden spoke to reporters yesterday."
B. "president Biden spoke to reporters yesterday."
When writing about statistics, the most important consideration is:
Using as many numbers as possible
Providing context to help readers understand significance
Rounding all numbers to make them simpler
Avoiding statistics entirely
The best approach for covering sensitive topics is to:
Sensationalize details to attract readers
Report with accuracy, sensitivity, and respect for those affected
Avoid covering sensitive topics completely
Focus only on the most dramatic elements
Which lead type is most appropriate for a feature story?
Summary lead with all basic facts
Anecdotal lead that draws readers in with a story
Question lead that challenges readers
Any of the above, depending on the story
When should you use bullet points in news writing?
Never, they're too informal for journalism
To break up long lists or complex information
In every story to improve readability
Only in online articles
What is "clickbait" in digital journalism?
Headlines designed to attract clicks, often misleading
Interactive content that engages readers
Advertising that appears within articles
Links that connect related stories
The term "fake news" most accurately describes:
Any news story someone disagrees with
Deliberately false information presented as legitimate news
Opinion pieces in newspapers
Breaking news that later requires corrections
What is "native advertising"?
Advertising created by local businesses
Paid content designed to look like editorial content
Advertisements in indigenous languages
Traditional print advertisements
Social media has changed journalism primarily by:
Eliminating the need for professional journalists
Speeding up news cycles and changing how people consume information
Making all information equally reliable
Reducing the importance of fact-checking
What is "citizen journalism"?
Journalism that only covers local government
News reporting by ordinary people using digital tools
Journalism focused on citizenship and immigration
Government-sponsored news reporting
The biggest challenge facing traditional newspapers today is:
Lack of interesting stories to cover
Declining readership and advertising revenue
Government censorship
Too many qualified journalists
"Viral" content refers to:
Content about diseases and health issues
Information that spreads rapidly across social networks
Computer viruses that affect news websites
Content that is automatically generated
What is a "paywall" in digital journalism?
A barrier requiring payment to access content
A wall displaying payment information
Advertising space sold to financial companies
A system for paying journalists
The term "echo chamber" describes:
A recording studio used for podcasts
An environment where people encounter only information that confirms their beliefs
A type of microphone used by reporters
The acoustics in a newsroom
What is "algorithmic curation" in news?
Human editors selecting stories manually
Computer programs automatically selecting and organizing content
Mathematical equations used in financial reporting
A method for organizing newspaper archives
"Deepfakes" present a challenge to journalism because they:
Are too expensive for news organizations to create
Use artificial intelligence to create convincing but false audio/video
Require special equipment to detect
Are only available to government agencies
The concept of "filter bubbles" refers to:
Water filtration systems in newsrooms
Personalized information environments that limit exposure to diverse viewpoints
Photography techniques using special filters
Methods for organizing news categories
What is "astroturfing" in media contexts?
Installing artificial grass at sporting events
Fake grassroots movements created to appear like genuine public opinion
A type of investigative reporting technique
Outdoor journalism covering environmental issues
"Sponsored content" differs from traditional advertising because it:
Costs less money to produce
Appears integrated with editorial content
The rise of podcasting has affected journalism by:
Replacing all traditional media forms
Creating new opportunities for long-form audio storytelling
Making radio broadcasting obsolete
Eliminating the need for interviews
What is "engagement journalism"?
Journalism about weddings and relationships
Reporting that actively involves the community in the news process
Entertainment-focused news coverage
Journalism that requires audience participation fees
"Data journalism" involves:
Only covering technology companies
Using statistical analysis and data visualization to tell stories
Reporting exclusively about computer science
Storing news articles in databases
The term "news desert" describes:
Areas with extremely hot weather
Communities with limited access to local news coverage
Regions where newspapers are not delivered
Desert areas where news events rarely occur
What is "SEO" and why is it important for online journalism?
Search Engine Optimization; helps content be found online
Systematic Editorial Organization; helps newsrooms stay organized
Social Engagement Objectives; helps build audience
Secure Electronic Operations; protects news websites
"Influencer journalism" refers to:
A. Journalists who have significant social media followings
B. Reporters who only cover entertainment celebrities
C. News coverage that influences political elections
D. Journalism that focuses on business leaders
The challenge of "information overload" in modern media means:
Computers cannot process all available information
People struggle to process and evaluate the vast amount of available information
News organizations produce too much content
Information travels too slowly to be useful
What is "mobile-first" journalism?
Journalism that only covers mobile phone companies
Designing content primarily for mobile device consumption
Reporters who work while traveling
News that can only be accessed on phones
"Branded content" in journalism refers to:
Content that displays company logos prominently
Material created by or for companies that resembles editorial content
News stories about brand-name products
Articles written by famous journalists
The concept of "news literacy" emphasizes:
The ability to read news articles quickly
Skills needed to critically evaluate and verify news information
Knowledge of journalism history
Understanding newspaper business models
Which trend most significantly threatens traditional journalism's business model?
Readers preferring shorter articles
Digital platforms capturing advertising revenue while news organizations bear content costs
Journalists demanding higher salaries
Government regulation of news content
