Question 4
ComprehensionJAMB 2006 Passage I: The ideal daily newspaper
The obvious function of a daily paper is to give news to the people, but this, at the moment, may be done in three ways, which are not all equally laudable. First, there is the paper which sets out to give a brief resume of the news, and backs this up by well-written articles on current affairs by leading writers and experts. Secondly, there is the 'daily' which caters for popular taste, and contains only the most sensational and exciting bits of news, supporting them with comic-strips, pictures, children's corners, women's sections and readers' letters on anything but weighty topics. Thirdly, there is the propaganda type of paper, which presents only those versions of the news which agree with its own particular political outlook. All this gives news in different ways; but what deeper function can the ideal daily paper have?
In the case of the Nigerian daily newspapers, the first type gives the thinking reader an unbiased view of the world situation, so that he can judge the importance of recent events for himself, but it does not indicate to him what he ought to think. The drawback to this is that the semi-literate or uneducated find it dull or difficult, and so are discouraged from reading such a paper regularly, because it demands too much thought and effort from them. The main advantage of this type of paper, however, is its soundness, excellent English expression and general effect of widening the readers' knowledge on a variety of subjects.
The second type interests the majority and gives them the more striking items of news in an easily comprehensible way, accompanied by lavish photographs and usually with some slight political bias towards the left and the interests of the working class, from which most of its readers come. The drawback of this type is that there is not enough solid thinking matter and the English is often faulty in style – tending towards 'journalese'. The advantage is that it is quickly and easily read, on the bus or train or over the breakfast table, and gives a superficial knowledge of current affairs to people who would not have the time or inclination to read 'heavier' literature. Also, it is a 'family' paper, which every member of the household can enjoy, since there is something to please all their tastes.
The third type, to some extent, appeals to emotion, not reason. It instructs the reader in exactly what the particular editor believes he ought to think, and does not give him a chance to have a mind of his own by letting him hear the other person's point of view. The drawback is that it prevents people from thinking for themselves, and causes political hysteria rather than logical thinking. The only advantage is that it does represent the 'freedom of the press' to publish whatever it likes, and allows discontented people to air their grievances instead of letting them smoulder underground.
From these examples, it should be clear that the ideal function of a daily paper would be to present the news clearly and simply, and to support it with articles in good English which show the points of view of various competent people of different outlooks on current problems. The reader could then choose which line of thought appealed to him most. Women's and children's sections would be good so long as they did not grow so out of proportion that the paper depended solely upon them for its popularity. Good pictures would add to the paper's instructive value as well as to its interest; and advertisements, kept in bounds, might be helpful both as shopping guides and as a financial help to the paper itself. All these points seem to be desirable in a daily paper now that the radio helps in giving news headlines.
In the case of the Nigerian daily newspapers, the first type gives the thinking reader an unbiased view of the world situation, so that he can judge the importance of recent events for himself, but it does not indicate to him what he ought to think. The drawback to this is that the semi-literate or uneducated find it dull or difficult, and so are discouraged from reading such a paper regularly, because it demands too much thought and effort from them. The main advantage of this type of paper, however, is its soundness, excellent English expression and general effect of widening the readers' knowledge on a variety of subjects.
The second type interests the majority and gives them the more striking items of news in an easily comprehensible way, accompanied by lavish photographs and usually with some slight political bias towards the left and the interests of the working class, from which most of its readers come. The drawback of this type is that there is not enough solid thinking matter and the English is often faulty in style – tending towards 'journalese'. The advantage is that it is quickly and easily read, on the bus or train or over the breakfast table, and gives a superficial knowledge of current affairs to people who would not have the time or inclination to read 'heavier' literature. Also, it is a 'family' paper, which every member of the household can enjoy, since there is something to please all their tastes.
The third type, to some extent, appeals to emotion, not reason. It instructs the reader in exactly what the particular editor believes he ought to think, and does not give him a chance to have a mind of his own by letting him hear the other person's point of view. The drawback is that it prevents people from thinking for themselves, and causes political hysteria rather than logical thinking. The only advantage is that it does represent the 'freedom of the press' to publish whatever it likes, and allows discontented people to air their grievances instead of letting them smoulder underground.
From these examples, it should be clear that the ideal function of a daily paper would be to present the news clearly and simply, and to support it with articles in good English which show the points of view of various competent people of different outlooks on current problems. The reader could then choose which line of thought appealed to him most. Women's and children's sections would be good so long as they did not grow so out of proportion that the paper depended solely upon them for its popularity. Good pictures would add to the paper's instructive value as well as to its interest; and advertisements, kept in bounds, might be helpful both as shopping guides and as a financial help to the paper itself. All these points seem to be desirable in a daily paper now that the radio helps in giving news headlines.
Which of the following best summarizes the argument in the passage?
- A.There are three laudable though unequal ways of news presentation by a daily paper.
- B.A good newspaper is that which is simple, logical and balanced in its news coverage
- C.Press freedom is an important feature of a daily newspaper
- D.There are three obvious functions of a daily newspaper
Show the answer and explanation
Answer: B (A good newspaper is that which is simple, logical and balanced in its news coverage)
Explanation
The writer concludes that the ideal paper presents news clearly and simply and shows different points of view, that is, simple, logical and balanced.