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FBLA Journalism Practice Test

Boost your journalism skills for exam success

Editorial: Review CompletedCreated By: Alameen AkintolaUpdated Aug 25, 2025
Difficulty: Moderate
Grade: Grade 11
Study OutcomesCheat Sheet
Colorful paper art promoting FBLA Journalism Challenge quiz for high school students.

This FBLA journalism practice test helps you sharpen what you need for the event and spot weak areas before you compete. Work through 20 Grade 11 questions at your own pace, see which items you miss, and get learning points plus links for more reading so you can fill gaps fast.

Which structure arranges the most important facts first, followed by supporting details, in a straight news story?
Hourglass with delayed lead
Inverted pyramid
Circular feature structure
Narrative arc
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According to AP style, which is correctly written?
The event starts at seven PM.
The event starts at 7 p.m.
The event starts @ 7 pm
The event starts at 7:00 PM
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Which news value focuses on how close an event is to the audience geographically or culturally?
Conflict
Proximity
Novelty
Prominence
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A concise first paragraph that summarizes the who, what, when, where, why, and how is called a:
Kicker
Summary lead
Stinger
Nut graf
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In journalism ethics, what is the primary purpose of attribution?
To show bias toward sources
To make the story longer
To avoid using direct quotes
To credit sources and allow verification
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Which term refers to publishing false statements that harm a person's reputation in written form?
Slander
Libel
Invasion of privacy
Defamation by implication
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The nut graf in a feature story usually:
Repeats the headline details
Lists all sources alphabetically
Explains why the story matters after an engaging lead
Provides photo credits
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Which of the following best defines prior restraint in media law?
A social media platform ban
Government action that prevents publication before it occurs
A newsroom policy on anonymous sources
A court-ordered correction after publication
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In AP style, which is correct when using a formal governmental title immediately before a person's name on first reference?
Jane Smith, governor, spoke at the event.
Gov. Jane Smith spoke at the event.
Governor Jane spoke at the event.
GOV Jane Smith spoke at the event.
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What is the most ethical use of an anonymous source?
To avoid doing further reporting
To hide a journalist's opinion
To add drama when quotes are dull
To protect a source facing credible risk while verifying the information
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Which element is NOT a standard news value?
Impact
Timeliness
Symmetry
Prominence
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Which choice demonstrates correct AP style for dates?
October fifth, 2025
Oct 5th, 2025
Oct. 5, 2025
OCT 5th 2025
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FOIA at the federal level in the U.S. primarily provides the public the right to:
Attend all criminal trials
Record phone calls without consent
Access records from federal agencies with certain exemptions
Publish any classified document
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Which statement about corrections is most accurate?
Wait a week to confirm if anyone noticed
Publish corrections promptly and transparently where the error occurred
Quietly edit mistakes without notice
Delete the story permanently to avoid attention
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What is the best definition of a nut graf?
A paragraph that gives context and the story's significance after the lead
A short bio of the reporter
A pull quote used for design
A summary of unrelated background facts
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Which is the most accurate description of fair use in copyright law for journalists?
Anything posted online is free to use
Limited use of copyrighted material for commentary, criticism, news reporting, etc., considering purpose, nature, amount, and effect
Use is fair if you credit the creator
Any noncommercial use is always allowed
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In AP style, which street address is correctly written?
Fifteen E. Main St.
Fifteen East Main Street
15 East Main Street
15 E. Main St.
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Which is the most accurate AP style for states in datelines?
Always spell out all state names
Use two-letter postal codes
Use traditional abbreviations (e.g., Calif., Ariz.) except for eight states spelled out
Omit the state in all cases
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A public figure must usually prove negligence, not actual malice, to win a U.S. libel case.
True
False
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Embargoes are legally binding on all journalists whether or not they agreed to them.
True
False
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Study Outcomes

  1. Analyze core journalism principles and ethical standards.
  2. Evaluate news writing and reporting techniques to improve journalistic practices.
  3. Apply investigative methods to real-world reporting scenarios.
  4. Assess competitive strategies used in journalism contests.
  5. Demonstrate effective media communication and storytelling skills.

FBLA Journalism Practice Test Cheat Sheet

  1. Understand the First Amendment - It's the backbone of free speech and free press, protecting your right to ask tough questions and report truthfully. Grasping its power helps you navigate legal and ethical boundaries in your journalism.
  2. Master News Values - Learn what makes a story pop: timeliness, proximity, impact, and human interest. Recognizing these factors lets you pick and craft stories that really resonate with your audience.
  3. Develop Interviewing Skills - Great interviews come from open‑ended questions that invite storytelling, plus crafty follow‑ups that dig deeper. Practice active listening and empathy to build trust and uncover fresh angles.
  4. Learn Media Ethics - Journalism thrives on credibility, so honesty, impartiality, and transparency are non‑negotiable. Knowing ethical guidelines keeps you out of hot water and builds public trust.
  5. Recognize Libel and Slander - Defamation laws protect people's reputations, so understanding the difference between written (libel) and spoken (slander) claims is vital. Avoid legal landmines by verifying facts and offering right of reply.
  6. Explore Citizen Journalism - Everyday people with smartphones can break news in real time, adding community voices to the media mix. Embrace this trend by verifying and collaborating with citizen reporters.
  7. Understand Newsroom Roles - From beat reporters to copy editors, each editorial position plays a part in crafting polished, accurate stories. Knowing who does what helps you navigate collaborations smoothly.
  8. Study Journalism Vocabulary - Terms like "byline," "lede," and "nut graf" are your secret weapons for clear communication in the newsroom. Mastering this lingo makes you sound like a pro and speeds up your workflow.
  9. Practice Fact-Checking - Accuracy is your journalistic currency: cross‑check names, dates, and sources before hitting publish. Build a checklist that includes primary documents, expert quotes, and corroboration from multiple angles.
  10. Understand the Impact of Digital Media - Social platforms and blogs have revolutionized how news spreads and how audiences engage. Stay ahead by mastering SEO, analytics, and multimedia storytelling.
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