UGC NET/JRF EXAM, Mass Communication and Journalism, June-2025

Total Questions: 100

91. Read the following passage and answer the question:

Reality television has always been a significant part and popular form of the entertainment landscape. With low production costs and a broad appeal, reality TV has shifted from the fringes to the center of television culture.

It has become a staple for contemporary programming, as it attracts diverse audiences while being easily marketed for foreign distribution. Despite its popularity, reality television faces criticism, often being labelled as "trash television".

When thinking of reality television, you might recall popular shows like "American Idol" or "Survivor". Critics have pointed out that many shows are often scripted and edited to create specific narratives.

Thus, "reality" in reality television can be seen as a social construction that transforms everyday experiences into consumable entertainment. Some scholars suggest that its influence is minimal, aligning with the limited effects model, where viewers select shows that affirm their existing beliefs.

Conversely, uses and gratifications model posits that different viewers watch reality TV for various needs, primarily for entertainment, but often reinforcing established perceptions rather than challenging them.

What has reality television recently become known as in the entertainment landscape?

Correct Answer: 2. The most popular form of entertainment
Solution:The passage explains that reality television has moved "from the fringes to the center of television culture," becoming a staple of contemporary programming.

This means it is no longer niche but widely dominant and heavily consumed, indicating that it has become one of the most popular and central forms of entertainment today.

92. What is the main reason for reality TV to gain popularity?

Correct Answer: 2. Its ability to attract diverse audiences
Solution:The passage states clearly that reality TV gained prominence because it appeals to a broad and diverse audience and also because it is inexpensive to produce.

This wide-ranging appeal helps networks draw viewers from different backgrounds, making it a major reason for its
growing popularity.

93. Which of the following shows is mentioned as an example of a reality TV program?

Correct Answer: 2. The American Idol
Solution:In the passage, "American Idol" and "Survivor" are specifically mentioned as examples to illustrate well-known reality TV programs. These shows are used to help readers immediately recognize the kind of content that fits under the category of reality television.

94. According to the text, what is a common criticism of reality television?

Correct Answer: 3. It is often labelled as "trash television"
Solution:The text notes that despite being widely watched, reality TV often faces criticism and is sometimes dismissed as "trash television." This phrase captures the perception that such shows lack substance or quality, making it the most direct criticism mentioned.

95. Which theories are mentioned in relation to how reality television affects social perceptions?

Correct Answer: 2. Limited effects model and uses and gratification theory
Solution:The passage specifically refers to the limited effects model, which suggests audiences choose programs that reinforce existing beliefs, and the uses and gratifications theory,

which explains that viewers actively select media to satisfy personal needs such as entertainment. Both theories are directly connected to how reality TV influences-or minimally influences-social perceptions.

96. Read the following passage and answer the question:

It is important to recognize and to celebrate the wide range of cultures that exist. Of late differences of opinion has cropped concerning multiculturalism.

The multiculturalists argue that we must recognize cultural differences that are legitimately linked to language and religion. In multiculturalism, minority groups see opportunities to play a part in moulding the national culture even as they are molded by it.

Campus multiculturalism, variations among students, have tried with some success to talk about how a racially and ethnically diverse student body can enrich everyone's education.

For these multiculturalists, differences are absolute, irreducible, and intractable. The hardliners are not interested to allow Americans to belong to more than a single culture, to be both particularisms and Universalists.

The time-honoured India mixture of assimilation and traditional allegiance is denounced as a danger to racial and gender authenticity. The multiculturalists insist on seeing all perspectives as tainted by the perceiver's particular point of view.

Impartial knowledge, they argue, is not possible, because ideas are simply the expression of individual identity that are linked to culture or a language.

The author is grounding for:

Correct Answer: 1. Multiculturalism
Solution:The passage consistently defends the idea that cultural diversity should be recognized and celebrated, while also describing how multiculturalism allows minority groups to shape national culture.

The author emphasizes the value of cultural differences linked to language and religion, directly aligning with the principles of multiculturalism rather than cultural relativism or ethnocentrism.

97. What makes multiculturalism legitimate?

Correct Answer: 1. Language and religion
Solution:The passage clearly states that multiculturalists believe cultural differences are "legitimately linked to language and religion."

These two factors are presented as the core foundations that make multicultural identities meaningful and worthy of recognition, making this the legitimate basis of multiculturalism in the context of the passage.

98. In multiculturalism, minorities see an opportunity to contribute to:

Correct Answer: 3. National culture
Solution:The passage states that in multiculturalism, minority groups "see opportunities to play a part in moulding the national culture even as they are molded by it."

This shows that multiculturalism is not just about group or regional contributions but directly relates to shaping the broader national culture.

99. How can a multicultural student body benefit students?

Correct Answer: 1. Enrich education
Solution:The passage notes that a racially and ethnically diverse student body can "enrich everyone's education." This indicates that multicultural environments offer broader perspectives, experiences, and interactions that enhance the educational experience for all students.

100. According to the passage, identify the incorrect option for imparting impartial knowledge?

Correct Answer: 3. Ideas are linked to ones's dress sense.
Solution:The passage explains that multiculturalists believe all perspectives are shaped or "tainted" by the perceiver's identity, including culture, language, and viewpoint.

However, dress sense is never mentioned as a determinant of ideas or impartial knowledge. Thus, linking ideas to dress sense is the incorrect option in this context.