IELTS Vocabulary – News and Media

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Exercise

The topic of media and the internet is a common subject on the IELTS examination. For example, you may be asked about the consumption of news and media, or you could be asked about the impact of the internet on society. Therefore, you must have a good grasp of relevant words and phrases so that your answers sound professional and accurate. The following page will provide you with some essential IELTS vocabulary related to media and the internet. There are also some exercises for you to practice using the words and phrases in context.

General Media Vocabulary
General Media Vocabulary Activity
Internet/Online Media Vocabulary
Internet/Online Media Vocabulary Activity
Media Phrasal verbs, idioms and Collocations
Media Phrasal verbs, idioms and Collocations Activity

1. General Media Vocabulary

Breaking news – Information about events currently occurring or developing
Broadsheet – A newspaper printed on larger paper and is viewed as more serious and trustworthy than tabloids
Biased – Unfairly favouring or opposing something or someone
Censorship – The suppression of any books/films/news etc that are deemed threatening, obscene, or politically unacceptable
Credibility – How reliable, trustworthy, or believable something is
Free press – Media outlets are allowed to report on stories with little or no interference from governments.
Editorial – An article written by the editor that gives a view on a topical issue
Fake news/Disinformation – Untrue information/news intended to mislead
Frontpage news – The most important story that appears on the front page
Headline – The title at the top of a news article
Journalism – The act of investigating news
Journalists – People that investigate or report on the news for media outlets
Mainstream media/Mass media – Media that can reach large numbers of people in a short time. Designed for mass consumption. For example, the BBC, CNN, the New York Times etc.
Obituaries – The section of the newspaper that reports on deaths/ A short written passage about someone who has died
Paparazzi – Freelance photographers who follow celebrities in order to take photos
Press conference – An interview involving a person of interest who answers questions or provides information to the press
Print media – Media that is printed on paper. For example, newspapers and magazines
Propaganda – Biased or misleading information used to promote a particular cause
Tabloid – A smaller sized newspaper that is typically filled with sensational popular stories. Often regarded as unserious and sensationalist.

2. Activity 1 – General Media Vocabulary Activity

Activity 1

Select the correct word to complete the IELTS speaking questions.

What kind of news articles interest you the most?

The articles I am most interested in are those in the ______1_______ newspapers that are about celebrities and sports. I do read ______2__________ newspapers,such as the Financial Times,when I want to read about more serious events like politics because I think they are more _________3_______ when it comes to serious matters.

Should the government control what is in our newspapers?

No I do not think that the government should be allowed to control what is in the newspapers. A _____4_______ is crucial for any functioning democracy and there are several examples of how damaging _______5_________ and _________6________ can be in terms of inciting violence and civil disorder.I think that_______7_____ should be allowed to operate freely and write what they please without worrying about government interference.

Answers

tabloid
broadsheet
credible
free press
propaganda
misinformation
journalists

3. Internet/Online Media Vocabulary

Internet/Online Media Vocabulary – The growth of the internet and technology has resulted in many new words and phrases that are specifically used to discuss the internet. Questions related to this topic are common on the IELTS examination and you are often asked your opinion about online issues and internet use. Here are some of the most common words and phrases you will need to discuss the internet and online media. There is an activity for you to practice using the words in context.

To block – To prevent someone from using or seeing a particular account or service online
Blog – A regularly updated page or website that is usually managed by one person or a small group
Alternative media – Media content that is generally independent and non-mainstream
To browse – To view different webpages on the internet
Clickbait – Internet content where the main intention is to draw attention and persuade users to click on a link to a particular webpage
Crowdfunding – Funding projects by using lots of small donations from internet users
Ecommerce – Businesses and transactions operating on the internet
To follow – To subscribe to the page of a person or organisation on a social media platform
Hacker – A person who gains unauthorised access to information/accounts online
Influencer – A person who influences consumers online by promoting or discussing products/services
Internet/Online safety –The process of staying safe from fraud, exploitation, or other malicious acts online
Livestream – To broadcast content live on the internet
Phishing – Sending fraudulent emails to entice people into providing personal information or money
Premium content – Internet content that must be subscribed to and paid for
Trending – Something that has become extremely popular online
Troll – A person who deliberately offends or upsets other people online
Sensationalism – Exaggerated news that is designed to get people’s attention by shocking them
Tweet(v) – To make a post on the social media site Twitter
Viral – A story or post that has become extremely popular online

4. Activity 2 – Internet/Online Media Activity

Activity 2

Choose the correct word to complete the IELTS speaking question.

How has the internet changed the news in your country?

The internet has significantly changed the way news is reported in my country. Before the internet everyone got their news from __________1___________ TV stations and newspapers. However, now members of the public ________2_______ about events going on around them, which means that the news is delivered much faster and without ______3_____ from the news organisations. There are also more ________4________ media sites and ____5_______ that do not follow the traditional mainstream narrative and offer a more independent opinion on events. Although I am glad there is more media available, you do have to be careful which sites you trust because some just use _____6____________ to create _____7______ headlines that are designed to outrage and incite hatred.

Answers

mainstream media
tweet
bias
alternative media
blogs
sensationalism
clickbait

5. Media, Phrasal Verbs, Idioms and Collocations

Media Phrasal verbs, idioms and Collocations – Below are some common phrasal verbs, idioms, and collocations you can use to talk about the media. There is a practice activity for you to see and use the words and phrases in context.

Behind closed doors – In private
Blow over – Something that will gradually disappear
Cover up – To hide illegal or illicit activity from the public
Hit the headlines – To become news or gather a lot of publicity for something
Hot of the press – Very recent news
Keep up with – To stay informed about certain events/news
Leaked to the press – The unauthorised release of information to the media
Pull the wool over someone’s eyes – To deceive someone,usually by giving false information
Take by storm – To become popular or successful extremely quickly
Tone down – To make something less intense, harsh, or extreme
Turn a blind eye – To willingly pretend not to notice something, usually an illicit activity or rule-breaking
Whistle-blower – A person who leaks information to the press

6. Media, Phrasal Verbs, Idioms and Collocations Activity

Activity 3

Choose the correct option to complete the sentences.

1. One of the most famous ___________1_____________ of modern times is Edward Snowden, who ____2____________ thousands of confidential files to the Guardian newspaper.

2. Films that are released in countries with strict censorship laws are often ________3________ so they do not cause offence.

3. The government has been accused of _________4_________ to reports of sexism within the party. Despite several complainants coming forward, no action has been taken.

4. Many people feel that the press is too invasive into the personal lives of politicians and that what goes on______5_______ is no business of the general public.

5. I like to _____6___________ the news by listening to it on the radio every morning in my car.

6. The government often remain silent when faced with controversy in the hope that the event will _____7____ in a few days and the press will focus on something else.

7. The MP was prosecuted and convicted of ______8________ a scandal involving donations made to his campaign.

Answers