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LG/SEP 2010/BEL120/100

UNIVERSITI TEKNOLOGI MARA FINAL EXAMINATION

COURSE COURSE CODE EXAMINATION TIME

CONSOLIDATING LANGUAGE SKILLS / PREPARATORY ENGLISH BEL120/100 SEPTEMBER 2010 2 HOURS

INSTRUCTIONS TO CANDIDATES 1. This question paper consists of two (2) parts : PART A (8 Questions) PART B (1 Question)

2.

Answer ALL questions from both parts in the Answer Booklet. Start each answer on a new page. Do not bring any material into the examination room unless permission is given by the invigilator. Please check to make sure that this examination pack consists of: i) ii) the Question Paper an Answer Booklet - provided by the Faculty

3.

4.

DO NOT TURN THIS PAGE UNTIL YOU ARE TOLD TO DO SO

This examination paper consists of 7 printed pages
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PART A: READING COMPREHENSION (15 MARKS) Read the following article and answer all the questions in the answer booklet provided.

The emergence of newspapers five centuries ago started a dramatic chapter in human social development. Since then, the print media has been used to spread news and information to the masses. The earliest recorded

"newspaper" was the ancient Roman Acta Diurna around 59 B.C. when Julius Caesar wanted to inform the public about important social and political happenings. Upcoming events written on large white boards and displayed in major cities kept citizens informed about government scandals, military campaigns, trials and executions. The first newspapers appeared as handwritten newssheets in Beijing, China in the eighth century. Only between the thirteenth and fifteenth century Renaissance Europe were handwritten newsletters circulated privately among merchants, passing along information about everything from wars and economic conditions to social customs and "human interest" features. 10 5

II

Also during the Renaissance in the 1400s the first printed forerunners of the newspaper format was printed in Germany. These took the form of news pamphlets and broadside posters, often highly sensational in content. Some of the most famous of these broadsides report the acts of cruelty against Germans in Transylvania which were carried out by a sadistic feudal nobleman named Vlad Tsepes Drakul, who became the Count Dracula of later folklore. The era of the modern newspaper started in 1447 when Johann Gutenberg, a German, invented the printing press. By the late 15th century, printed newssheets were being circulated in German cities. These newsheets focused on matters of trade and commerce. 20 15

III

Newspapers began to appear as regular and frequent publications in the first half of the 17th century. The first modern newspapers started in western European countries like Germany (Relation in 1605), France (Gazette in 1631), Belgium (Nieuwe Tijdingen in 1616) and England (The London 25

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Gazette, founded in 1665, is still published as a court journal). These periodicals consisted of news items from Europe, America and Asia. However, they rarely covered domestic issues; instead English papers reported on French military blunders while French papers covered the latest British royal scandal. Newspaper content began to shift toward more local issues in the second half of the 17th century. However, censorship was widespread and newspapers were rarely permitted to discuss events that might incite citizens to opposition. 35 30

IV

With the invention of the telegraph in 1844 information could then be transferred within a matter of minutes, allowing for more time and relevance in reporting. Hence, newspapers were appearing in societies around the world. Japan's first daily newspaper, Yokohama Mainichi Shimbun, appeared in 1870. By the middle of the 19th century, newspapers were becoming the primary means of disseminating and receiving information. Between 1890 to 1920, the period known as the 'golden age' of print media, media barons such as William Randolph Hearst, Joseph Pulitzer, and Lord Northcliffe built huge publishing empires. These men had enormous influence within the media industry, and often developed negative reputations for the ways in which they wielded their power. 45 40

Newspapers have also helped to spread revolutionary propaganda. Iskra (The Spark), published by Lenin in 1900, is one notable example. In June 21, 1925, Thanh Nien made its debut in Vietnam, introducing Marxism to the country and providing information on the revolution's strategic policies. 50

VI

Newspapers were forced to re-evaluate their role as society's primary information providers when broadcast radio exploded onto the media scene in the 1920s. To respond to this new competition, editors changed their papers' format and content in order to increase their popularity and stories were expanded to provide more detailed information. As soon as newspapers had adapted to the competition from radio, they were again pressured to reevaluate themselves with the introduction of television. Between 1940 and 1990, newspaper circulation in America dropped from one newspaper for 55

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every two adults to one for every three adults. Though there was a sharp decline in newspaper circulation, the popularity of television did not cause the newspaper to become obsolete. Some newspapers, like USA Today, applied colour and utilised the "short, quick and to-the-point" stories that are usually featured on television to maintain their relevance and popularity. VII The technological revolution of today is creating new challenges and opportunities for traditional media. Although the Internet provides information in terms of volume and speed not experienced before, it has not signalled the end of the traditional newspaper. By the end of the 1990s, some 700 had web sites; today there are thousands. Nowadays, newspapers in print still remain a popular and powerful medium for the reporting and analysis of events that shape our lives. The World Association of Newspapers has estimated that one billion people in the world read a newspaper every day! Adapted from: http://www.historicpages.com/nprhist.htm http://www.wan-press.org/article2821.html 70 65 60

Answer the following questions in complete sentences where appropriate. 1) What do the following words and phrases refer to? a) b) c) d) who (line 19) these periodicals (line 28 - 29) the 'golden age' (line 42) their (line 63) (2 marks)

2)

Select the correct meanings of the following words, a) masses (line 3) i) countries ii) volume iii) people

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b)

incite (line 35) i) stir up ii) force iii) prevent

c)

disseminating (line 41) i) sending ii) circulating iii) exploiting

d)

wielded (line 46) i) exercised ii) operated iii) shared (2 marks)

3)

State whether the following statements are TRUE or FALSE. a) The printing press, invented by a German indicated the era of the modern newspaper. b) The influential people in the media industry during the 'Golden Age' period were William Randolph Hearst, Joseph Pulitzer and Lord Northcliffe. c) Thanh Nien, which disseminated information on revolutionary strategic policies was published by Lenin. d) Due to technological revolution, nowadays, the newspapers have lost their popularity. (2 marks)

4)

What is the topic sentence of paragraph III? (1 mark)

5)

What was the outcome with the invention of the telegraph in 1844? (1 mark)

6)

Why were newspapers forced to re-evaluate their role as society's primary information provider in the 1920s? (1 mark)

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7)

What are the reasons mentioned which might cause newspapers to become obsolete (useless and out-of-date) because of technological developments such as the radio and television? (2 marks)

8)

Fill in the blanks with information from the passage. HISTORY OF NEWSPAPERS TIME 59 B.C. Renaissance Europe (13th to 15th century) Renaissance Europe (14th century) d) e) a) b) MEDIUMS/FORMATS NEWS/ISSUES COVERED Social and political happenings - wars - economic conditions c) - human interest features

Late 15th century

Printed newssheets

f)

g) Newspapers 1900-1920s Currently

- more domestic issues - military blunders h) Revolutionary propaganda Short and to-the point news items

(4 marks)

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PART B: WRITING (15 MARKS)

QUESTION 1 Recently, the education authorities have been saying that they want students to be wellrounded. Write an essay of 230 - 250 words on some important characteristics that a student must possess in order to be considered a well-rounded student. You may mention that a well-rounded student needs to perform well in his academics and physical activities as well as be able to handle himself well in social situations.

END OF QUESTION PAPER

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