Scorify.uzNews and journalism
| Word or phrase | Meaning | Example |
|---|---|---|
| mass media | media that reach large audiences | The mass media shape how people see world events. |
| headline | the title of a news story | A shocking headline attracts more readers. |
| press freedom | the right of media to report freely | Press freedom allows reporters to expose corruption. |
| reliable source | a trustworthy origin of information | Check that a story comes from a reliable source. |
| biased reporting | one-sided news coverage | Biased reporting can mislead the public. |
| breaking news | very recent important news | Breaking news now reaches phones within minutes. |
| sensationalism | presenting stories in an exciting but exaggerated way | Sensationalism sells newspapers but harms trust. |
Social media and the internet
| Word or phrase | Meaning | Example |
|---|---|---|
| go viral | spread rapidly online | The video went viral within a few hours. |
| online presence | how visible someone is on the internet | Small firms need a strong online presence. |
| fake news | false information presented as news | Fake news spreads faster than corrections. |
| influencer | a person who affects others' buying choices online | Influencers earn money by recommending products. |
| echo chamber | an online space where people only hear similar views | Algorithms can trap users in an echo chamber. |
| user-generated content | material created by ordinary users | Websites rely heavily on user-generated content. |
| digital footprint | the trace of your online activity | Employers may check a candidate's digital footprint. |
Advertising techniques
| Word or phrase | Meaning | Example |
|---|---|---|
| target audience | the group a message is aimed at | The target audience for this product is young professionals. |
| brand awareness | how well people know a brand | Sponsoring a festival raises brand awareness. |
| celebrity endorsement | a famous person promoting a product | Celebrity endorsement can make a product more attractive. |
| eye-catching | attracting attention | An eye-catching poster can influence passers-by. |
| persuasive | able to convince people | Persuasive language makes shoppers buy impulsively. |
| slogan | a short memorable phrase for a brand | The slogan was easy to remember. |
| product placement | showing a brand within a film or show | Product placement in films is a subtle form of advertising. |
Effects on consumers
| Word or phrase | Meaning | Example |
|---|---|---|
| consumer behaviour | how people choose and buy | Discounts strongly affect consumer behaviour. |
| impulse buying | buying without planning | Shop layouts encourage impulse buying. |
| consumerism | the belief that buying goods is important | Consumerism leads to a throwaway culture. |
| misleading advertising | adverts that give a false impression | Misleading advertising should be punished by fines. |
| peer influence | the effect of friends on choices | Peer influence is strong among teenagers. |
| raise awareness | make people notice an issue | Campaigns raise awareness of road safety. |
| shape public opinion | influence what people think | Television can shape public opinion during elections. |
How to use these words well
- Use media as a plural noun in formal writing: the media have, although the media has is also common in speech.
- When writing about fake news, mention how readers can check sources; this adds a practical solution.
- Combine target audience with a specific group such as teenagers to make your example clear.
- Avoid saying all adverts lie; prefer some adverts can be misleading.
Study guides
Computer-Delivered IELTS: What Changes and What Stays the Same
Thinking about taking IELTS on a computer? Here is what stays the same, what feels different in Writing, Reading and Listening, and how to prepare for the screen.
IELTS Writing Task 1 Vocabulary for Graphs, Charts and Processes
Useful verbs, nouns, adverbs and sentence patterns for describing line graphs, bar charts, tables and processes in IELTS Task 1, with more than twelve example sentences.
Linking Words for IELTS and How to Use Them Correctly
A practical list of IELTS linking words grouped by function, with correct and incorrect examples, punctuation rules and a warning about overusing connectors.