Comparison and Contrast: Showing Similarities and Differences

Comprehension Quiz for “Amusing Ourselves to Depth”

Read “Amusing Ourselves to Depth” and check your comprehension by answering the following questions. Then “submit” your work.

1. What was Tim Keck’s ambition in starting The Onion?

to impress his girlfriend

to write a witty parody of the local newspaper

to deliver advertising to his fellow students

to avoid studying for his economics midterm

Correct

Incorrect

2. According to “Amusing Ourselves to Depth,” how many readers does The Onion attract weekly?

It attracts more readers than the New York Times and the Los Angeles Times put together.

It attracts more readers that the Denver Post.

It attracts more than two million online readers weekly.

Both B and C are correct.

Correct

Incorrect

3. Why isn’t The Onion taken more seriously?

Journalists think the news should be serious.

The Onion can’t compete with the Colbert Report.

It’s too much fun to read to be taken seriously.

Both A and C are correct.

Correct

Incorrect

4. Which of these complaints about the news does The Onion prove false?

Newspapers are too heavy to carry around.

Newspapers are too negative.

Newspapers are too serious.

Newspapers are too political.

Correct

Incorrect

5. What danger does The Onion face?

provoking advertisers to pull ads for their products

offending readers

getting sued by people who have stories written about them

all of the above

Correct

Incorrect