PIRMĀ SEMESTRA NOSLĒGUMA TESTI
Breaking News! How Media Rules Our World
In today’s world, the media play a powerful role in shaping what we know and how we see the world. Every day, millions of people turn on their televisions, open newspapers, or scroll through their phones to stay informed and entertained. Whether through the press, television, or online platforms, the media help stories travel faster than ever before.
Television remains one of the most powerful forms of communication. A broadcast can reach millions of homes at the same time, allowing the audience to follow breaking news, sports events, or entertainment shows. Many programmes are shown live, meaning viewers can experience them as they happen. During a popular episode of a TV series, every viewer waits to see what happens next. However, after a few minutes of excitement, there is often a break filled with commercials – short advertisements designed to advertise new products or services. These colourful clips compete for the audience’s attention before the show returns.
Meanwhile, newspapers and magazines continue to inform and inspire readers. Each edition of a newspaper is carefully prepared overnight and published early in the morning. Readers may turn first to the front page, where a bold headline summarises the day’s biggest story, or to their favourite column, written by a journalist whose opinions they trust. Reporters and editors in the press work around the clock to report events accurately and clearly.
Across all these platforms, the goal remains the same – to connect people through information. The media keep societies informed, help businesses reach customers, and give citizens a chance to understand the world around them. Whether you watch a broadcast, read an edition of your favourite magazine, or sit through a commercial break, you are part of a global conversation powered by the media.
Television remains one of the most powerful forms of communication. A broadcast can reach millions of homes at the same time, allowing the audience to follow breaking news, sports events, or entertainment shows. Many programmes are shown live, meaning viewers can experience them as they happen. During a popular episode of a TV series, every viewer waits to see what happens next. However, after a few minutes of excitement, there is often a break filled with commercials – short advertisements designed to advertise new products or services. These colourful clips compete for the audience’s attention before the show returns.
Meanwhile, newspapers and magazines continue to inform and inspire readers. Each edition of a newspaper is carefully prepared overnight and published early in the morning. Readers may turn first to the front page, where a bold headline summarises the day’s biggest story, or to their favourite column, written by a journalist whose opinions they trust. Reporters and editors in the press work around the clock to report events accurately and clearly.
Across all these platforms, the goal remains the same – to connect people through information. The media keep societies informed, help businesses reach customers, and give citizens a chance to understand the world around them. Whether you watch a broadcast, read an edition of your favourite magazine, or sit through a commercial break, you are part of a global conversation powered by the media.
Key vocabulary:
Television, Radio and Broadcasting
advertise — [ˈæd.və.taɪz] — to make something known generally or in public, especially in order to sell it; reklamēt
audience — [ˈɔː.di.əns] — the group of people together in one place to watch or listen to a play, film, someone speaking, etc.; klausītāji, auditorija, publika
break — [breɪk] — the short period of advertisements between television programmes; reklāmas pauze
broadcast — [ˈbrɔːd.kɑːst] — to send out a programme on television or radio; a television or radio programme; pārraidīt, pārraide, raidījums
episode — [ˈep.ɪ.səʊd] — one of the single parts into which a story is divided, especially when it is broadcast on TV or radio; sērija
live — [laɪv] — (of a performance) broadcast, recorded, or seen while it is happening; tiešais ēters
viewer — [ˈvjuː.ər] — a person who watches something, especially television; skatītājs
Print and Online Journalism
column — [ˈkɒl.əm] — a piece of writing in a newspaper or magazine, usually on a particular subject, that is always written by the same person and appears regularly; sleja, rubrika
edition — [ɪˈdɪʃ.ən] — a particular form in which a book, magazine, or newspaper is published (e.g. paperback edition, hardback edition); izdevums, tirāža
headline — [ˈhed.laɪn] — a line of words printed in large letters as the title of a story in a newspaper, or the main points of the news broadcast on TV or radio; virsraksts
media — [ˈmiː.di.ə] — the ways through which people receive information such as newspapers, television, etc.; masu informācijas līdzekļi
press — [pres] — newspapers and magazines, and those parts of television and radio that broadcast news, or reporters and photographers who work for them; prese
publish — [ˈpʌb.lɪʃ] — to make information available to people, especially in a book, magazine, or newspaper, or to produce and sell such materials; publicēt
report — [rɪˈpɔːt] — to cover or give the details of an event in written or spoken form as a journalist on TV, etc.; ziņot par kaut ko, atspoguļot
break — [breɪk] — the short period of advertisements between television programmes; reklāmas pauze
broadcast — [ˈbrɔːd.kɑːst] — to send out a programme on television or radio; a television or radio programme; pārraidīt, pārraide, raidījums
episode — [ˈep.ɪ.səʊd] — one of the single parts into which a story is divided, especially when it is broadcast on TV or radio; sērija
live — [laɪv] — (of a performance) broadcast, recorded, or seen while it is happening; tiešais ēters
viewer — [ˈvjuː.ər] — a person who watches something, especially television; skatītājs
Print and Online Journalism
column — [ˈkɒl.əm] — a piece of writing in a newspaper or magazine, usually on a particular subject, that is always written by the same person and appears regularly; sleja, rubrika
edition — [ɪˈdɪʃ.ən] — a particular form in which a book, magazine, or newspaper is published (e.g. paperback edition, hardback edition); izdevums, tirāža
headline — [ˈhed.laɪn] — a line of words printed in large letters as the title of a story in a newspaper, or the main points of the news broadcast on TV or radio; virsraksts
media — [ˈmiː.di.ə] — the ways through which people receive information such as newspapers, television, etc.; masu informācijas līdzekļi
press — [pres] — newspapers and magazines, and those parts of television and radio that broadcast news, or reporters and photographers who work for them; prese
publish — [ˈpʌb.lɪʃ] — to make information available to people, especially in a book, magazine, or newspaper, or to produce and sell such materials; publicēt
report — [rɪˈpɔːt] — to cover or give the details of an event in written or spoken form as a journalist on TV, etc.; ziņot par kaut ko, atspoguļot
Practice: now that you have learned the key vocabulary, it is time to use it in practice. Answer the discussion-type questions, which will help you develop the ability to give longer answers and practise how to support a proposed plan — just as in an English exam or real conversation. For each question, an answer prompt is available to guide you. As answering on the questions usually require to express your opinion, you can do it here: Insights into Family Relationships – Useful Vocabulary for Expressing an Opinion
Discussion-Type Questions
1. Why do you think the media play such an important role in modern life?
“I strongly believe that media shape the way we see the world. Every day, we learn about global events, new ideas, and social issues through TV, newspapers, or social networks. In my opinion, the media not only inform people but also help them understand different cultures and perspectives.”
“I strongly believe that media shape the way we see the world. Every day, we learn about global events, new ideas, and social issues through TV, newspapers, or social networks. In my opinion, the media not only inform people but also help them understand different cultures and perspectives.”
2. How has the way people receive news changed in recent years?
“I would say that most people today get their news online rather than from printed newspapers. It’s faster and more interactive. Personally, I think this change has made information easier to access, although sometimes it’s harder to tell what’s true and what’s not.”
3. What are the advantages of watching live broadcasts?
“In my view, live programmes make people feel connected to what’s happening right now. For example, when you watch a live concert or a sports match, you experience the same emotions as thousands of other viewers at the same moment. It creates a strong sense of community.”
4. What do you think makes a newspaper or magazine reliable?
“I believe a reliable publication checks facts carefully and presents both sides of a story. When a journalist or editor reports honestly, readers can trust what they read. For me, it’s also important that the paper avoids gossip and focuses on serious, well-researched topics.”
5. Do you think the media have more positive or negative effects on society?
“To be honest, it depends on how people use them. On one hand, media educate, inform, and entertain. On the other, they can spread false news or create stereotypes. Personally, I believe the positive side is stronger if journalists and audiences act responsibly.”