Text for Scotland S1 Teacher Guide
Unit 2 News
2
News
Answers
1 Presenting the news
Student Book pages 32–33
Activity 1
1
National
newspaper
TV news
News
website
The Prime Minister…



Scotland win…



Film star reveals…

I would
not use it


Open-air swimming…
Women aged 56…



Scientists warn…



2a and 2b

The majority of these stories are likely to appear in all three media.

Some may not appear on a television news bulletin, as they might be considered too
trivial or less newsworthy where broadcast time is limited, e.g. ‘Film star reveals…’.

Students may feel that ‘Film star reveals…’ is celebrity gossip rather than news, which
might be appropriate to a newspaper or news website.

Students may recognise that ‘Open-air swimming…’ is more appropriate to local news.
3
Look for answers which recognise that news consists of information about people and
events that is of interest to readers or viewers. Use this to initiate discussion of who
decides what is of interest and how the media perpetuate this expectation.
Activity 2
1



News websites are permanently available, updated regularly and allow the reader to
navigate to areas of interest; they contain a vast amount of information which can be both
an advantage and disadvantage.
Television news is only available at specific times; the amount of news information is
limited by the time available; this means, however, that only key events are included.
Newspapers are portable, accessible at all times but only update the news once a day.
They are targeted more finely so may appeal more to specific readers.
2



3
Marie: Newspapers. She needs news when she is on the move.
Donald and Emily: Television news. Available in the evenings, providing a summary of
key events.
Craig: News website. Provides the broadest range of global information.
Look for answers which recognise that:
a the formal situation, e.g. desk, computer, and formally dressed presenter suggests
the importance and validity of the news.
b the newspaper has identified one key story (and two or three others) to attract
readers.
c the website shows a range of news stories and links to emphasise the range of
information available.
Answers
10
Text for Scotland S1 Teacher Guide
Unit 2 News
2
News
2 Features of a newspaper front page
Student Book pages 34–35
Activity 1
a Masthead; b Puff; c Headline; d Strapline; e Byline; f Text; g Image
Activity 2
1
It is short and to the point; it emphasises the amount of money; it uses the first person
which makes it seem like the person who has won is telling the story
2
You nearly
copt it
there
Blaze hotel
boss tells of
panic
Top cop job
race
Summarises the
story


Leaves out
unnecessary
words


Present tense

Dramatic or
emotive language

Play on words or
pun
Brown on the
ball

Alliteration



Activity 3
Note opportunities for alliteration ‘Rat-riddled school scares…’ and emotive language
‘…terrifies children’.
3 Structure of a newspaper article
Student Book pages 36–37
Activity 1
1a Who: The family
What: Their dog returned after six years
When: The dog was found last week
Where: Glasgow; the family’s front garden.
Why: The dog and the family were reunited.
1b The first two paragraphs.
1c The other paragraphs …
Paragraph 3: How the family felt about the dog being lost.
Paragraph 4: The news of the dog being found.
Paragraph 5: Where the dog was found and in what state.
Paragraph 6: How the dog was identified.
Paragraph 7: The family’s reaction.
Paragraph 8: The family’s reaction.
Paragraph 9: The family’s reaction.
1d The writer has included quotations from the family because it helps make the story more
personal and real.
Answers
11
Text for Scotland S1 Teacher Guide
Unit 2 News
2
News
1e One sentence in each paragraph, with the exception of paragraph 5 where there are two.
This gives the reader information in smaller chunks to make it more easily digestible.
2
The first one or two paragraphs of a newspaper article should tell the reader… the key
details of the story: who, what, when, where, why.
The middle paragraphs of a newspaper article should… add more detail.
The writer often includes quotations to… add human interest and make the story seem
more accurate and believable.
The final paragraph of a newspaper article usually… explains how the story ended.
The number of sentences in each paragraph can vary but often… there is only one.
4 Aiming at a target audience
Student Book pages 38–39
Activity 1
1
Local: A, E, G, H
National: B, C, D, F
2
Local news focuses on items that are relevant only to people in a specific area; national
news features stories that affect or are of interest to a significant number of people
nationally.
Activity 2
1
Children with too much salt in their diets have higher blood pressure and face health risks
later in life.
2
In the first paragraph.
3
The Daily Record’s is less formal. It uses the emotional term “risk” and the colloquial
“kids”. The Herald is more formal and neutral in tone.
4
The Herald is more formal. It uses “health campaigners” as opposed to “doctors”. It uses
“children” instead of “kids”. The Daily Record article is not completely informal and uses
phrases like “preventative medicine expert” to describe the researcher.
5
The main difference is the level of information. The Herald includes more exact details
about the research (numbers of children studied, who carried the research out) and more
medical details about the nature of the risks.
6
Both articles are appealing to readers who are parents. The Herald is aimed at those who
would like more factual details about the health risk.
Knowledge about language: Sentence types
Statements: You should only cross the road at a zebra crossing; Drivers never pay enough
attention to pedestrians.
Questions: Do you always do that?; Can you be sure that a driver has seen you?
Command: Be safe!
Exclamation: Idiots!
Answers
12
Text for Scotland S1 Teacher Guide
Unit 2 News
2
News
5 Close reading
Student Book pages 40–41
Activity 1
1
To save their lives (key words: crash diet).
2
1000g per day (key words: dog food).
3
Hardly ever (key words: last owner).
4
Three and a half stone (key words: normal weight).
5
14 years (key words: full life span).
Activity 2
1
Facts: a, b; Opinions: c, d.
Activity 3
1
The dogs ate 1000g of food per day; this is twice the recommended amount.
2
The dogs are greedy and very overweight.
3
a
Ballooning, whopping, huge bulk.
b
Informal.
4
The informality does detract from the seriousness of the issue, particularly at the start of
the article. However, the quotations from the RSPCA centre manager and the language
choice in the second half of the article create a more serious tone.
6 Recounting events
Student Book pages 42–43
Activity 1
1
Broadcast news reports direct from the scene while newspapers use quotations; moving
images rather than still images; broadcast news is ‘live’; the audience listens rather than
reads. All this gives a sense of immediacy, the very latest news.
2
Informal and colloquial. “commotion”; “she’s got herself stuck”; “at the moment, yeah”
3
Formal language suggests the gravity of the situation, the newsreader thinks it is worrying
the whale is stranded.
4
Both support the suggestion of gravity.
5
Any other expression and tone will have a humorous effect because they are
inappropriate.
Activity 2
1
Key points:

Who: There is a whale.

What:It is stuck.

When: It is currently stuck
Answers
13
Text for Scotland S1 Teacher Guide
Unit 2 News
2


News
Why: It followed a fishing boat into the harbour
Where: Fraseburgh Harbour
7 Point of view
Student Book pages 46–49
Activity 1
2
What the government is suggesting: children should be rewarded for good behaviour.
What other people think about this: the government is wrong.
3
a
The headline says that children will be rewarded if… they disrupt school.
The first sentence says that children will be rewarded if… they behave well.
b
The headline sounds more dramatic and shocking, so will attract readers to the
article.
4
No. Quotation from text to support answer: ‘The scheme has been branded '”absurd”.’
Activity 2
1
a
‘Thugs’ is an emotive word, implying that these students are violent and thoughtless.
It reinforces the writer’s negative opinion about the scheme.
b
‘Bright idea’ implies the opposite: it’s a silly idea. ‘Latest’ implies that the government
have produced several silly ideas previously.
2
‘Soaring’ implies that indiscipline is not only increasing but increasing at an incredible
rate.
3
a
Paragraph five contains only six words.
b
This gives emphasis to the paragraph and the point it is making.
c
‘Absurd’ is an emotive word. Compare, for example, ‘silly’ or ‘not very good’.
Activity 4
1
School students are to be offered rewards to encourage good behaviour.
These could include extended breaktimes, CDs, cinema tickets, etc.
Critics say this is a bad idea – good behaviour should be expected, not rewarded.
Teachers should use praise five times as often as punishing.
Whole-class detentions should be avoided.
Activity 5
1
a
Students who do not behave should be praised five times for every one time they are
punished or criticised.
b
‘They can be offered prizes and privileges ranging from non-uniform days and
extended breaktimes to CDs, cinema tickets, personal music players and state-of-theart bicycles.’
2
‘However’.
3
For students to learn, they must be in a calm and focused atmosphere. Good learning
cannot take place without good behaviour.
Answers
14
Text for Scotland S1 Teacher Guide
Unit 2 News
2
News
8 Bias
Student Book pages 50–51
Activity 1
1b The writer of the article thinks that TV shortens attention span. He provides the findings of
research showing this to be true and he offers no counter argument or evidence showing
that it has no effect. The article presents a one-sided point of view.
d (i) To suggest that the writer believes in the findings.
d (ii) To suggest that the findings are accurate and detailed.
d (iii) These are emotive and persuasive words which suggest that we should not treat the
matter lightly.
d (iv) It is an emotive word perhaps suggesting that the children themselves cannot be
responsible for their viewing and that adults should control this more.
2 A possible picture to accompany the story could be a child or children watching TV
obsessively. Perhaps they could be too close to the screen.
3
a Only quoting the researchers – question (i) from 1d
b Quoting a study of 1037 boys and girls over a ten year period - question (ii) from 1d
c Using words like ‘issues’ and ‘problems’ – question (iii) from 1d
d Referring to children as ‘kids’ – question (iv) from 1d.
9 Arguing a case
Student Book pages 52–53
Activity 1
2
Key points:

The British love animals.

Figures suggest the number of cases of animal cruelty has risen. *

A woman boiled her cat to death in a washing machine and a man amputated his
dog’s leg with a carving knife.

There are probably more cases that are not reported.

This could mean that we are becoming more cruel but the writer does not think so. *

More cases reported could mean that we are more aware of cruelty and want to
report it.

More rescue organisations does mean that too many pets are being mistreated.

It also means we are being more responsible.

It’s sad that cruelty to animals is on the increase.

We should remember the kindness that is also shown. *
*Three possible key points
Answers
15
Text for Scotland S1 Teacher Guide
Unit 2 News
2
News
3
‘The RSPCA helped nearly 100,000 animals last year.’ The writer includes this to prove
that cruelty to animals is an important issue and is increasing.
4
‘The British are known as a nation of animal lovers.’ The writer included this to contrast
with the above fact, but also to support his argument.
5
Statistics: ‘an increase of 77 per cent’.
Emotive language: ‘sickening incidents’.
Emotional appeal: ‘It must have struggled frantically to escape’.
6
Rhetorical questions: ‘But have we really become more deliberately cruel?’
Examples: ‘…of a woman who boiled her cat to death in the washing machine.’
Crushing a counter argument: ‘I suspect quite the opposite. The very fact that the
RSPCA is being besieged by so many reports from concerned members of the public is
cause for hope.’
A list: ‘dogs, cats, rabbits, guinea pigs and other animals.’
First person: ‘I suspect quite the opposite.’
Knowledge about language: Apostrophes of possession
Boy’s = singular; boys’ = plural. I thought one boy’s arms were broken (one boy – two broken
arms). It turned out that both boys’ arms were broken (two boys – four broken arms).
Assessment task: Reading: Reading for meaning Take a last
look
Student Book pages 54–56
1
They remind us of our childhood. We relate to the way mothers interact with their cubs.
2
To emphasise his point and make it more dramatic.
3
They have a thick layer of fat to keep out the cold. They have fur on their feet so they can
move silently without slipping.
4
a
It includes and involves the reader in the argument.
b
It suggests that what we do will make the difference between polar bears surviving
and not.
5
‘When the ice forms’, ‘haul them out of their blow holes’, ‘on to the floes to eat’, ‘the ice is
later in forming’.
6
‘fascination’, ‘magic’, and ‘amazing’ suggest the writer believes that polar bears have
special qualities beyond other animals.
Comparing them to toy bears and how we relate to their parenting suggests they
especially appeal to our emotions.
The writer uses statistics to emphasise their size: ‘they can weigh 600kg to 800kg and are
up to two-and-a-half metres tall’ which is particularly surprising when he describes them
walking on ice.
7
The use of the word ‘we’ links our relationship with the bears (paragraph 1: ‘we love
them’) and our responsibility to them (paragraph 6: ‘we must…manage our planet’).

The headline emphasises the danger that polar bears are in by using the word ‘last’; it
is a command, directly addressed to the reader.

The choice of image shows the bears playing and happy in their natural environment.
This appeals to our emotions and, perhaps, sense of humour.

The article begins by exploring our love of these creatures, then explains how our
actions are harming it. It ends with an appeal to change our actions and save the
bears.
Answers
16
Text for Scotland S1 Teacher Guide
Unit 2 News
2
News
Further reading/ ideas: Unit 2 News
The Newspapers referred to in the Unit all have their own websites which are frequently
updated. Articles can be viewed and the skills taught in the Unit can be revised and reinforced
using these excellent resources. These websites can also be used to research topics of local
interest or of specific interest to the class.
www.theherald.co.uk
www.scotsman.com
www.dailyrecord.co.uk
News websites contain not only articles but video clips of news stories. These could be
viewed on a PC or an interactive whiteboard if available to reinforce the skills taught in the
unit.
www.bbc.co.uk
www.stv.tv
Answers
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