Success Homeschool

Secondary 4 English · Representation in media

Name: ______________________

Date: ____________

1. What is the term for an oversimplified, fixed idea about a group of people? (one word)
2. Why do we say media representations are 'constructed'?
- ☐ (a) Because they are always false
- ☐ (b) Because people make choices about what to show, say and leave out
- ☐ (c) Because they are built on a stage
- ☐ (d) Because they are only about buildings
3. Which headline represents teenagers most positively?
- ☐ (a) Youths loiter outside library
- ☐ (b) Teens raise $5000 for local hospital
- ☐ (c) Teen crime fears grow
- ☐ (d) Young people blamed for noise
4. A camera filming from below makes a politician look tall and powerful. What camera angle is this?
- ☐ (a) High angle
- ☐ (b) Low angle
- ☐ (c) Bird's-eye view
- ☐ (d) Close-up
5. A report about a new skate park quotes three nearby residents who oppose it and no skaters. What is the main problem?
- ☐ (a) It has too many quotes.
- ☐ (b) The perspective of the people who would use the skate park is excluded.
- ☐ (c) It is too short.
- ☐ (d) Residents should never be quoted.
6. Which question is most useful when analysing representation?
- ☐ (a) How many pages is it?
- ☐ (b) Whose voice is missing?
- ☐ (c) What font is used?
- ☐ (d) When was the website last updated?
7. What word describes groups who are pushed to the edges of society or a text, so their views are rarely heard? (one word)
8. An advertisement for cleaning products shows only women cleaning. What representation does this reinforce?
- ☐ (a) That cleaning is shared equally
- ☐ (b) A stereotype that housework is women's work
- ☐ (c) That men are good at cleaning
- ☐ (d) That cleaning is dangerous

Answer sheet

1. stereotype — Stereotypes ignore individual differences within a group.
2. Because people make choices about what to show, say and leave out — Every representation results from selection and presentation choices.
3. Teens raise $5000 for local hospital — It shows teenagers taking positive action for the community.
4. Low angle — A low angle looks up at the subject, making them seem powerful.
5. The perspective of the people who would use the skate park is excluded. — Leaving out the skaters' voices gives a one-sided representation.
6. Whose voice is missing? — Asking whose voice is missing reveals which perspectives have been excluded.
7. marginalised — Marginalised groups are often spoken about rather than given a voice.
8. A stereotype that housework is women's work — Repeatedly showing only women cleaning reinforces a gender stereotype.