Chapter 5: Interviewing

Test Bank

Multiple Choice

1. When it comes to a professional interview, ______ is essential.

A. preparation

B. patience

C. charisma

D. focus

Learning Objective: 5-1: Explain how to prepare for an interview by researching your topic and gathering information about your source.

Cognitive Domain: Comprehension

Answer Location: Interview Preparation

Difficulty Level: Medium

2. Most ______ have their archives digitized, making them easy to access online.

A. company websites

B. print-style products

C. social media

D. individuals

Learning Objective: 5-1: Explain how to prepare for an interview by researching your topic and gathering information about your source.

Cognitive Domain: Comprehension

Answer Location: Places to Dig

Difficulty Level: Medium

3. Many companies provide miniature ______ on their staff members, especially those in the upper echelons of the organization.

A. articles

B. newspapers

C. biographies

D. newsletters

Learning Objective: 5-1: Explain how to prepare for an interview by researching your topic and gathering information about your source.

Cognitive Domain: Comprehension

Answer Location: Places to Dig

Difficulty Level: Medium

4. In some cases, you can find information on a person in a ______, instead of in mainstream newspapers or magazines.

A. transcript

B. newsletter

C. websites

D. trade press

Learning Objective: 5-1: Explain how to prepare for an interview by researching your topic and gathering information about your source.

Cognitive Domain: Application

Answer Location: Places to Dig

Difficulty Level: Hard

5. Your source will likely have some presence on ______.

A. social media

B. broadcast media

C. newspapers

D. trade journals

Learning Objective: 5-1: Explain how to prepare for an interview by researching your topic and gathering information about your source.

Cognitive Domain: Knowledge

Answer Location: Places to Dig

Difficulty Level: Easy

6. According to your text, one of the best places to get information about an interview subject is from ______.

A. gossip blogs

B. other people

C. ex-partners

D. surveys

Learning Objective: 5-1: Explain how to prepare for an interview by researching your topic and gathering information about your source.

Cognitive Domain: Comprehension

Answer Location: Places to Dig

Difficulty Level: Medium

7. The ______ of an interview will dictate what tone you take with your subject, how much time you will need with your source, and what types of questions you will prepare.

A. length

B. deadline

C. purpose

D. character

Learning Objective: 5-1: Explain how to prepare for an interview by researching your topic and gathering information about your source.

Cognitive Domain: Knowledge

Answer Location: Understand Your Purpose

Difficulty Level: Easy

8. In approaching a source, either by phone, in person, or through some other means, make sure you display ______.

A. your teeth

B. your tattoos

C. your muscles

D. proper manners

Learning Objective: 5-2: Understand how to approach a source and conduct an interview in a professional manner.

Cognitive Domain: Comprehension

Answer Location: Approaching the Source

Difficulty Level: Medium

9. Once you get through to the source, ______.

A. introduce yourself and explain your purpose

B. begin asking questions immediately

C. thank them for their time

D. say nothing for a few minutes

Learning Objective: 5-2: Understand how to approach a source and conduct an interview in a professional manner.

Cognitive Domain: Application

Answer Location: Approaching the Source

Difficulty Level: Hard

10. You need to impress upon your sources that ______.

A. they are your favorite subject

B. they have important information

C. you don’t care who they are

D. you are objective

Learning Objective: 5-2: Understand how to approach a source and conduct an interview in a professional manner.

Cognitive Domain: Application

Answer Location: Approaching the Source

Difficulty Level: Hard

11. When you conduct an interview, one of the best ways to make sure you act appropriately is to ______ your source.

A. be more relaxed with

B. be formal with

C. mimic

D. do research on

Learning Objective: 5-2: Understand how to approach a source and conduct an interview in a professional manner.

Cognitive Domain: Application

Answer Location: Interacting With Your Source

Difficulty Level: Hard

12. Conducting the interview at your subject’s home base is recommended because it can keep them more relaxed and ______.

A. allow them to dress the way they want

B. prevent coworkers from eavesdropping

C. keep expenses down

D. allow you to do some observing

Learning Objective: 5-2: Understand how to approach a source and conduct an interview in a professional manner.

Cognitive Domain: Knowledge

Answer Location: Approaching the Source

Difficulty Level: Easy

13. When you start your interview, it is best to ______.

A. be conservative in your tone

B. be as casual as possible right away

C. pay no attention to courtesy titles

D. refer to them by nickname

Learning Objective: 5-2: Understand how to approach a source and conduct an interview in a professional manner.

Cognitive Domain: Knowledge

Answer Location: Interacting With Your Source

Difficulty Level: Easy

14. Nowadays, the average ______ can capture reasonably decent video if you record in an optimal setting.

A. joe

B. smartphone

C. video technician

D. reporter

Learning Objective: 5-2: Understand how to approach a source and conduct an interview in a professional manner.

Cognitive Domain: Knowledge

Answer Location: Audio and Video Tools

Difficulty Level: Easy

15. When you explain that you want to record the material to make sure you get things right, you are eliminating a source’s fear of ______.

A. one-party consent

B. a video interview

C. gotcha journalism

D. two-party consent

Learning Objective: 5-2: Understand how to approach a source and conduct an interview in a professional manner.

Cognitive Domain: Knowledge

Answer Location: Recording Your Discussion, Repurposing the Material

Difficulty Level: Easy

16. When you need quick information from a source that is notoriously hard to reach, ______.

A. a simple exchange of emails, texts, tweets, or other digital contacts can make your life a lot easier

B. you should look for another source

C. a phone interview is the best choice

D. stop everything until you can meet them in person

Learning Objective: 5-2: Understand how to approach a source and conduct an interview in a professional manner.

Cognitive Domain: Knowledge

Answer Location: Interviewing Via Email or Text

Difficulty Level: Easy

17. One other great element of email interviews is that ______.

A. it is easy to provide follow-up questions

B. you have a complete digital transcript

C. you can easily observe the source’s body language

D. you can easily gain information from the source’s tone of voice

Learning Objective: 5-2: Understand how to approach a source and conduct an interview in a professional manner.

Cognitive Domain: Comprehension

Answer Location: Interviewing via Email or Text

Difficulty Level: Medium

18. The average smartphone ______.

A. is not useful at all in an interview situation

B. needs to be supplemented with more traditional video equipment

C. can capture reasonably decent video if you record in an optimal setting

D. is appropriate for audio but good at recording video

Learning Objective: 5-2: Understand how to approach a source and conduct an interview in a professional manner.

Cognitive Domain: Application

Answer Location: Audio and Video Tools

Difficulty Level: Hard

19. The rules for recording interviews ______.

A. are the same for all states

B. are not important

C. have little to do with journalism

D. will vary on your state

Learning Objective: 5-2: Understand how to approach a source and conduct an interview in a professional manner.

Cognitive Domain: Knowledge

Answer Location: Recording Your Discussion, Repurposing the Material

Difficulty Level: Easy

20. Before you start the interview, ask the source whether ______.

A. they are familiar with your work

B. they like your outfit

C. they can hear you

D. you can record it

Learning Objective: 5-2: Understand how to approach a source and conduct an interview in a professional manner.

Cognitive Domain: Knowledge

Answer Location: Recording Your Discussion, Repurposing the Material

Difficulty Level: Easy

21. If a source says you can’t record the interview, ______.

A. explain that you want to record the material to make sure you get things right

B. tell them you’re going to do it anyway

C. record it without telling them

D. don’t record it

Learning Objective: 5-2: Understand how to approach a source and conduct an interview in a professional manner.

Cognitive Domain: Comprehension

Answer Location: Recording Your Discussion, Repurposing the Material

Difficulty Level: Medium

22. Some pieces of an interview will do better as ______copy, because the information is tight, short, and easy to follow.

A. audio or video

B. text

C. script

D. ad

Learning Objective: 5-2: Understand how to approach a source and conduct an interview in a professional manner.

Cognitive Domain: Application

Answer Location: The Right Pieces for the Right Platform

Difficulty Level: Hard

23. Anecdotes, explanations, or emotional tales might be more valuable in ______.

A. script form

B. text form

C. an audio or video format

D. teleprompter form

Learning Objective: 5-2: Understand how to approach a source and conduct an interview in a professional manner.

Cognitive Domain: Application

Answer Location: The Right Pieces for the Right Platform

Difficulty Level: Hard

24. Consider what you plan to do with the material you gather ______ you start your interview.

A. 2 weeks after

B. during

C. after

D. before

Learning Objective: 5-2: Understand how to approach a source and conduct an interview in a professional manner.

Cognitive Domain: Application

Answer Location: The Right Pieces for the Right Platform

Difficulty Level: Hard

25. ______ questions are meant to gather specific information that can help you nail down facts or clarify specific things within an interview.

A. Closed-ended

B. Open-ended

C. Leading

D. Loaded

Learning Objective: 5-3: Create quality open-ended and closed-ended questions based on the research you conducted on your topic and your source.

Cognitive Domain: Application

Answer Location: The Questions

Difficulty Level: Hard

26. “Did you approve the plan?” is an example of a(n) ______ question.

A. open-ended

B. closed-ended

C. leading

D. loaded

Learning Objective: 5-3: Create quality open-ended and closed-ended questions based on the research you conducted on your topic and your source.

Cognitive Domain: Knowledge

Answer Location: The Questions

Difficulty Level: Easy

27. How can you tell if a broadcaster is a rookie?

A. They mutter things like “uh-huh.”

B. They make eye contact with their source.

C. They cock an eyebrow to redirect their source.

D. They parrot what their source says.

Learning Objective: 5-4: Identify ways to draw additional information from sources through nonverbal cues and concluding questions.

Cognitive Domain: Knowledge

Answer Location: The Nonverbal Approach: How to Ask a Question Without Asking

Difficulty Level: Easy

True/False

1. When it comes to a professional interview, preparation is not essential.

Learning Objective: 5-1: Explain how to prepare for an interview by researching your topic and gathering information about your source.

Cognitive Domain: Comprehension

Answer Location: Interview Preparation

Difficulty Level: Medium

2. Most print-style products have their archives digitized, making them easy to access online.

Learning Objective: 5-1: Explain how to prepare for an interview by researching your topic and gathering information about your source.

Cognitive Domain: Comprehension

Answer Location: Places to Dig

Difficulty Level: Medium

3. It is rare to find biographies of staff members on an organization’s website.

Learning Objective: 5-1: Explain how to prepare for an interview by researching your topic and gathering information about your source.

Cognitive Domain: Knowledge

Answer Location: Places to Dig

Difficulty Level: Easy

4. In some cases, a person is a big deal in a trade or field but hasn’t gotten a lot of attention in mainstream newspapers or magazines.

Learning Objective: 5-1: Explain how to prepare for an interview by researching your topic and gathering information about your source.

Cognitive Domain: Knowledge

Answer Location: Places to Dig

Difficulty Level: Easy

5. Your source will most likely not have a presence on social media sites such as Twitter and Facebook.

Learning Objective: 5-1: Explain how to prepare for an interview by researching your topic and gathering information about your source.

Cognitive Domain: Knowledge

Answer Location: Places to Dig

Difficulty Level: Easy

6. One of the best places to get information about an interview subject is from other people who know your source.

Learning Objective: 5-1: Explain how to prepare for an interview by researching your topic and gathering information about your source.

Cognitive Domain: Knowledge

Answer Location: Places to Dig

Difficulty Level: Easy

7. Most interviews start with a simple phone call and end just as easily 5 min later.

Learning Objective: 5-2: Understand how to approach a source and conduct an interview in a professional manner.

Cognitive Domain: Comprehension

Answer Location: Getting the Interview

Difficulty Level: Medium

8. The purpose of an interview is not related to what types of questions you will prepare.

Learning Objective: 5-2: Understand how to approach a source and conduct an interview in a professional manner.

Cognitive Domain: Comprehension

Answer Location: Understand Your Purpose

Difficulty Level: Medium

9. In approaching a source, either by phone, in person, or through some other means, make sure you are as informal as possible.

Learning Objective: 5-2: Understand how to approach a source and conduct an interview in a professional manner.

Cognitive Domain: Comprehension

Answer Location: Approaching the Source

Difficulty Level: Medium

10. “Did I miss anything important?” cedes control of the interview to the subject, so use it only after you feel like you have everything you need.

Learning Objective: 5-4: Identify ways to draw additional information from sources through nonverbal cues and concluding questions.

Cognitive Domain: Comprehension

Answer Location: Did I Miss Anything Important?

Difficulty Level: Medium

11. When you start your interview, it is best to be laidback in your approach.

Learning Objective: 5-2: Understand how to approach a source and conduct an interview in a professional manner.

Cognitive Domain: Comprehension

Answer Location: Interacting With Your Source

Difficulty Level: Medium

12. When you need quick information from a source that is notoriously hard to reach, a simple exchange of emails, texts, tweets, or other digital contacts can make your life a lot easier.

Learning Objective: 5-2: Understand how to approach a source and conduct an interview in a professional manner.

Cognitive Domain: Application

Answer Location: Interviewing via Email or Text

Difficulty Level: Medium

13. When a source has time to create a message, that message will most likely be just as genuine as an initial response given during a live interview.

Learning Objective: 5-2: Understand how to approach a source and conduct an interview in a professional manner.

Cognitive Domain: Application

Answer Location: Interviewing via Email or Text

Difficulty Level: Hard

Short Answer

1. What should you do if in the process of answering Question 1, the source answers Questions 2 and 3?

Learning Objective: 5-2: Understand how to approach a source and conduct an interview in a professional manner.

Cognitive Domain: Application

Answer Location: Interview Flow

Difficulty Level: Hard

2. What is the difference between open-ended and closed-ended questions?

Learning Objective: 5-3: Create quality open-ended and closed-ended questions based on the research you conducted on your topic and your source.

Cognitive Domain: Comprehension

Answer Location: The Questions

Difficulty Level: Medium

3. How can silence help during an interview?

Learning Objective: 5-4: Identify ways to draw additional information from sources through nonverbal cues and concluding questions.

Cognitive Domain: Comprehension

Answer Location: Silence as an Ally

Difficulty Level: Medium

4. How can you ask questions without using words?

Learning Objective: 5-4: Identify ways to draw additional information from sources through nonverbal cues and concluding questions.

Cognitive Domain: Comprehension

Answer Location: The Nonverbal Approach: How to Ask a Question Without Asking

Difficulty Level: Medium

5. How can you successfully end an interview?

Learning Objective: 5-4: Identify ways to draw additional information from sources through nonverbal cues and concluding questions.

Cognitive Domain: Comprehension

Answer Location: The End of the Interview (Almost)

Difficulty Level: Medium

Essay

1. How can you prepare for an interview?

Learning Objective: 5-1: Explain how to prepare for an interview by researching your topic and gathering information about your source.

Cognitive Domain: Application

Answer Location: Places to Dig

Difficulty Level: Hard

2. How can you work toward getting an interview and gaining the trust of your source?

Learning Objective: 5-2: Understand how to approach a source and conduct an interview in a professional manner.

Cognitive Domain: Application

Answer Location: Approaching the Source

Difficulty Level: Hard

3. What are some of the advantages and disadvantages of doing an interview via email or text?

Learning Objective: 5-2: Understand how to approach a source and conduct an interview in a professional manner.

Cognitive Domain: Application

Answer Location: Interviewing via Email or Text

Difficulty Level: Hard

4. How can you do effective interviewing for multimedia?

Learning Objective: 5-2: Understand how to approach a source and conduct an interview in a professional manner.

Cognitive Domain: Application

Answer Location: Interviewing for Multiple Media

Difficulty Level: Hard

5. What is the best way to prepare interview questions?

Learning Objective: 5-3: Create quality open-ended and closed-ended questions based on the research you conducted on your topic and your source.

Cognitive Domain: Application

Answer Location: Preparing Questions

Difficulty Level: Hard