Baseline Assessment Paper

Media Studies GCSE
Entry Test

As you are brand new to studying Media, it is important that your teacher gets an idea of what level you are starting at. The following test is set to determine your starting point on the course. Answer each question/complete each task in as much detail as possible:

Section One: Media Language
Explain what the following words/terms mean:
1. Target Audience
2. The Media
3. Stereotype
4. Global Media Company
5. Director
6. Camera shots and angles
7. Editing
8. Mise-en-scene
9. Tabloid press

Section Two: Audiences
Answer the following in as much detail as possible:
10. List five different ways in which you could group an audience
11. Why do you think Media products have specific target audiences
12. List five different uses a person might have for using the Media
13. How dependant do you think people are in our world on the Media?

Section Three: New Media Technologies
Answer the following in as much detail as possible:
14. List five examples of new media technologies (either hardware or software) which have been developed in the past 20 years (e.g. FaceBook/iPad)
15. What impact do you think the development of new media technologies has had on people’s lives?
16. How do you think the Media influences people’s opinions and beliefs? Give examples of Media texts which you think influence people?

Section Four: Institutions (the business side of the Media)
17. Name five global Film Companies
18. Who is the head of News Corporation? Why was News Corporation in the News this summer?
19. Name a company which owns more than one type of Media
20. Explain why you think people should have an understanding of the Media and how it works

Production Skills

A key component of Media Studies is the creative production side- this is all about your ability to be creative and come up with your own Media texts. This is not a test of how well you can draw; it is a test to see how creative you are.

Task: Design an advert for a new brand of snack food called POPPILICIOUS- they are fruit based and aimed at children (aged 6-12). Your advert should appeal to children (as they are the audience for the product) as well as parents (as they are going to be buying the product)