Component 1: Newspapers

Question 1

What is the average daily print circulation of The Guardian in the UK as of July 2021?

Answer 1

Approximately 105,000

This includes 53,902 newsstand sales and 51,232 subscriptions.

Question 2

What type of audience does The Guardian target?

Answer 2

Well-educated, affluent, digitally-savvy, liberal audience

The demographic is 86% ABC1.

Question 3

What percentage of The Guardian readers are male?

Answer 3

54%

Question 4

What was the original format of The Guardian, and what is it now?

Answer 4

Originally broadsheet, now printed in tabloid format.

Question 5

What does the dominant image of Boris Johnson jogging imply?

Answer 5

Johnson’s ineptitude and unsportsmanlike appearance

The image is described as clownish, aligning with the left-wing beliefs of The Guardian’s audience.

Question 6

What is the significance of the headline ‘Cummings accuses PM of lying over No. 10 Party’?

Answer 6

Highlights a political spat and implies dishonesty from the Prime Minister.

Question 7

What does the word ‘party’ in the headline suggest?

Answer 7

Reinforces Johnson’s clownlike appearance and implies the public have been following the rules.

Question 8

What does the headline ‘Inquiry launched into Mone over ‘VIP Lane’ deal’ suggest?

Answer 8

Constructs a reality of Conservative dishonesty.

Question 9

What does the coverline ‘What we miss about working in the office’ refer to?

Answer 9

The work-from-home culture that emerged during the pandemic.

Question 10

How are the headlines across The Guardian’s front page characterized?

Answer 10

Focused, factual, and unemotional.

Question 11

What is the purpose of the G2 supplement in The Guardian?

Answer 11

Offers a lighter alternative to hard-hitting news stories.

Question 12

Who served as Prime Minister Boris Johnson’s Chief Political Advisor from 2019-2020?

Answer 12

Dominic Cummings.

Question 13

When was the COVID-19 pandemic declared?

Answer 13

March 2020.

Question 14

What legal measures were put in place during the UK lockdown?

Answer 14

Prevented social mixing and banned indoor gatherings of more than two people.

Question 15

What is Personal Protective Equipment (PPE)?

Answer 15

Equipment such as masks, visors, gloves, and gowns used to prevent disease spread.

Question 16

What political values does The Guardian embody?

Answer 16

Mainstream left political values.

Question 17

How is The Guardian financed compared to most other newspapers?

Answer 17

It is not owned by shareholders, allowing it to adhere to core journalistic principles.

Question 18

What is the implication of the choice of stories on The Guardian’s front cover?

Answer 18

Portrays Conservatives as amoral and untrustworthy.

Question 19

What does the main image of Boris Johnson lack that is typical for a Prime Minister?

Answer 19

Formal clothing, statesmanlike environment, composure, and confidence.

Question 20

What does the inclusive language in the Ukraine story suggest?

Answer 20

Support for the article and expectation of reader support.

Question 21

What is the function of stereotypes in The Guardian’s media language?

Answer 21

To communicate features quickly, often in entertainment contexts.

Question 22

What theoretical perspective could be applied to analyze representation and stereotypes in media?

Answer 22

Stuart Hall’s perspective.

Question 23

What type of newspaper is The Sun?

Answer 23

A British tabloid daily newspaper owned by News UK

It is known for sensationalism and gossip.

Question 24

When did The Sun start publishing a Sunday edition?

Answer 24

In 2012

Prior to this, it was originally published six days a week.

Question 25

What is the average daily print circulation of The Sun in the UK?

Answer 25

Roughly 1.3 million copies (though this is arguable) ## Footnote The Sun stopped releasing its circulation figures in 2020.

Question 26

What percentage of people surveyed liked The Sun according to a YouGov survey?

Answer 26

29% ## Footnote 97% of people surveyed had heard of The Sun.

Question 27

What colors are used in The Sun's masthead?

Answer 27

Red and white ## Footnote This design is common among 'red tops' in the UK.

Question 28

What does the headline 'Join our jabs army' imply?

Answer 28

A call to action for readers to volunteer as stewards at vaccination centers ## Footnote It frames Covid as a common enemy.

Question 29

What does the puff 'Jabs army' symbolize?

Answer 29

Caring and generosity ## Footnote It juxtaposes the term 'army' with a heart shape. It also uses the 'Dad's Army' TV Comedy font

Question 30

What iconic symbol is used in the main image of The Sun's article?

Answer 30

The clock face on the Elizabeth Tower (Big Ben) ## Footnote The syringe replacing the clock hand signifies vaccinations.

Question 31

What kind of language does The Sun use to represent the pandemic?

Answer 31

Militaristic language ## Footnote This is common in both medical and sports contexts.

Question 32

Who are the celebrities mentioned in The Sun's article?

Answer 32

Gary Lineker and Kate Garraway ## Footnote They have personal experiences with Covid-19.

Question 33

What does the phrase 'The Sun says...' suggest about the newspaper?

Answer 33

It implies real influence and strength of opinion ## Footnote This reinforces their authority on the matter.

Question 34

What is the significance of the image of Boris Johnson in the off-lead story?

Answer 34

It connotes positivity and optimism ## Footnote The thumbs-up gesture supports a pro-Brexit ideology.

Question 35

What does the term 'Brexit' refer to?

Answer 35

The UK's vote to leave the European Union ## Footnote This decision was supported by The Sun newspaper.

Question 36

What was the timeline of the COVID-19 pandemic declaration?

Answer 36

First identified in December 2019, declared pandemic in March 2020 ## Footnote A mass immunisation program was essential to prevent disease spread.

Question 37

What did the UK achieve in December 2020 regarding COVID-19 vaccines?

Answer 37

It became the first western country to license a vaccine ## Footnote This was accomplished astonishingly fast compared to typical vaccine development timelines.

Question 38

How is the NHS's vaccination effort described?

Answer 38

More than 1 million vaccinations delivered by January 2021 ## Footnote Colloquially known as 'jabs'.

Question 39

What is the Editors' Code of Practice?

Answer 39

A self-regulation standard for newspapers ## Footnote Editors are expected to follow this code.

Question 40

What are advertorials?

Answer 40

Content written by journalists that appears as editorial copy but is actually an advertisement ## Footnote They carry more weight due to the perceived validation by the publication.

Question 41

What is the impact of online advertising revenues for The Sun?

Answer 41

Essential for the newspaper's survival ## Footnote As circulation figures for print news continue to drop.

Question 42

What is the role of technology in newspaper consumption?

Answer 42

Allows readers to access content for free online ## Footnote Digital editions are available for a subscription fee.

Question 43

What is the significance of The Sun's engagement with social media?

Answer 43

Boosts engagement and audience reach ## Footnote Free content is supplied to platforms like Apple News.

Question 44

What is meant by 'the modern business of news is in relentless decline'?

Answer 44

Newspapers struggle to compete with free online news and social media ## Footnote This has led to significant cuts in costs and staff.

Question 45

What is the monthly engagement time reported by MailOnline?

Answer 45

5.4 billion minutes ## Footnote This engagement is across both print and digital platforms.

Question 46

What percentage of The Sun’s page views come from click-throughs on Apple News?

Answer 46

23% ## Footnote The Sun supplies free content to Apple News to boost engagement.

Question 47

Which social media platforms does The Sun use to engage its audience?

Answer 47

* Facebook * Twitter * TikTok * Snapchat * Instagram ## Footnote Each platform offers different content to cater to various audiences.

Question 48

What demographic does The Sun primarily target?

Answer 48

C2DE demographic ## Footnote This group includes lower to middle social classes.

Question 49

What is the average reading age of The Sun compared to the UK population?

Answer 49

The Sun: 8 years, UK population: 9 years ## Footnote The Sun's reading level is designed to be accessible to a broader audience.

Question 50

Why is The Sun referred to as 'The People’s Paper'?

Answer 50

It is formatted to be accessible and appealing to those with weaker literacy skills ## Footnote The use of bold words, visuals, and smaller text chunks facilitates easier reading.

Question 51

What is the age range of most print readers of The Sun?

Answer 51

45 to 64 years old ## Footnote This demographic is primarily male.

Question 52

What is the percentage of online readers of The Sun who are below the age of 34?

Answer 52

60% ## Footnote This indicates a younger audience for the online platform compared to print.

Question 53

What promotional strategy does The Sun use to appeal to low-income demographics?

Answer 53

Sun Hols token collection ## Footnote This strategy builds brand loyalty among readers.

Question 54

What historical view was held regarding print newspaper audiences?

Answer 54

Audiences were considered passive ## Footnote It was believed they accepted information without question.

Question 55

What is the current understanding of audience behavior in media consumption?

Answer 55

Audiences are active and interpret stories based on their own context, beliefs, and values ## Footnote This shifts the perception of how news is consumed.