Question

many people are troubled by individuals who do not take the time to investigate outrageous claims. to the mass media, however, a docile public is a reassuring constant. the general populations inability—and unwillingness—to distinguish a hoax from reality will continue to provide activity long into the future.

1. how does the writer feel about the mass medias portrayal of the paranormal?

a. supportive of the mass medias interest in the paranormal
b. critical of the media for portraying paranormal activity as unbelievable
c. angry for creating a nation of non - critical thinkers by challenging americans to question the paranormal
d. skeptical about both the paranormal and the medias motives in focusing on the paranormal

1. what can you logically infer is the reason the words psychics and news are in quotation marks?

a. the author does not believe in the powers of these people.
b. the author wants to poke fun at professional mind readers.
c. the committee used those specific words in their tv specials.
d. the author wants to highlight the words for their importance in the passage.

1. why, according to the author, does the american public fail to distinguish hoaxes from reality?

a. the media has created a nation of ready consumers.
b. americans cannot or will not think critically about the paranormal.
c. the american public is constantly challenging the claims made in the movies and on television.
d. americans are afraid to question the media.
exercise vi. drawing on your knowledge of roots and words in context, read the following selection and define the italicized words. if you cannot figure out the meaning of the words on your own, look them up in a dictionary. note that the prefix tra (from trans) means \across,\ and that e (from ex) means \out from.\
the defense attorney attempted to win over the jury in the case by traducing the prosecutors star witness. in response to the claim that his witness was an alcoholic, the prosecutor tried to repair the damage done with a series of questions intended to educe a feeling of pity for the witness from the jury. unfortunately, after the defenses harsh attack, there was little reason for the jury to believe the witness.

Explanation:

1. The writer mentions the mass - media's focus on the paranormal and the public's inability to distinguish hoaxes, indicating skepticism.
2. Quotation marks around "psychics" and "news" often imply the author doesn't believe in the powers associated with these terms.
3. The passage states the public's inability and unwillingness to think critically about the paranormal as the reason for not distinguishing hoaxes from reality.

Answer:

1. D. skeptical about both the paranormal and the media's motives in focusing on the paranormal
2. A. The author does not believe in the powers of these people.
3. B. Americans cannot or will not think critically about the paranormal.