The birth of baby Prince George of Cambridge has been one of the most highly anticipated news events In recent years. The world's press waited outside the hospital and hoards of well-wishers crowded outside Buckingham Palace. One journalist was even quoted as saying I was more prepared for this birth than I was for my own. However, was this event the birth of a baby really worthy of the mass hysteria surrounding it?

what sells Life-changing events are happening every day, af around the world, but a royal baby is w newspapers. Whose fault is that?

D

With all the problems the world faces, why are our timelines and news feeds constantly full of 'news' of celebrity haircuts and break-ups? It seems crazy that many worldwide news organizations take the time to Inform us about the lives of famous people instead of more serious stories. How did entertainment news become worldwide valued hard-news stories? And why do we appear to be more interested in celebrities than what's actually going on in the world?

CE

Firstly, the invention of TV and radio, and the rise of the internet have all contributed to the role celebrities play in our mainstream news. The private lives of 'celebs are simply more accessible now. Also, because of the increased presence of the paparazzi and their photos in media texts, there has been a decline in the credibility of the press and there is now an unclear line between what is simply entertainment and what is news.

It is fair to say that much of the regular news can be depressing, sometimes boring and often hard to follow. A lot of us don't take the time to keep up with it because It gets us down. Celebrity news, however, is entertaining and it is somehow reassuring to know that celebrities go through tough times too.

Another factor is familiarity. When strangers meet, they look for a common bond. We may not know anything about each other's personal lives, so there's no connection there. Celebrity news provides that common ground. Most of us can talk about the latest Justin Bieber scandal or what the Beckhams are up to, and we can share our opinions and interest with each other. However, there is a darker side to focusing on the misfortunes of the rich and famous. Watching celebrities fall from grace or go wild makes the rest of us feel more confident about ourselves. There's a strange satisfaction we experience when we see somebody who has everything money, fame, power, good looks-seem just as miserable as the guy next door. In comparison, we can feel that we are better than tham because we haven't made the same mistakes.

Ban roya

On a positive note, celebrity has also become one of the principal ways in which information is spread. Even health advice is provided through stories of celebrities encounters with illness. For example, on the back of the announcement of Kylie Minogue's breast cancer treatment, the media was full of breast cancer reports and personal stories. If celebrities can raise awareness of such issues as health, politics and the environment, perhaps our fascination with them could be a good thing

However, while entertainment news is fun and an escape from our everyday lives, when put into perspective, all entertainment news has done is dumb c down our generation by making the behaviour of the Kardashians and Kate Middleton more important and newsworthy than civil war and famine. Yes, the 'real' news does hold negative and depressing stories, but that's because, sadly, our world is filled with them. We appear to be at a point where we consider the conduct of actors and pop stars to be of greater importance than truly significant events. It's sad to say, but there's little doubt that information regarding celebrity behaviour will outlast the coverage of culturally monumental events. We need to re-evaluate our perception of significance and importance if this is ever going to change. Think of the message that we, the younger generation, are absorbing. We are systematically being shown that nothing matters as long as you're famous and pretty. In the long run, beauty and notoriety fade, but cultural significance and positive change are much more lasting and respected. Instead of aspiring to be pretty and famous, we need to strive to be groundbreakers, policy makers and dream chasers. We need to realize that simple popularity or material wealth are not equivalent to the mark we could make on our world. It is very sad that this isn't an obvious truth.

The author believes that....

A the distinction between serious news and entertainment is ambiguous.

B newspapers publish too many paparazzi-style photographs these days.

C newspapers are in competition with TV and internet news,

news is that... 2 One of the main reasons people prefer celebrity

A they enjoy seeing attractive photographs in articles about celebrities.

B reading serious news is too time-consuming

C mainstream news can be dull and difficult to understand in comparison.

3 Celebrities are a useful topic

Question

The birth of baby Prince George of Cambridge has been one of the most highly anticipated news events In recent years. The world&#x27;s press waited outside the hospital and hoards of well-wishers crowded outside Buckingham Palace. One journalist was even quoted as saying I was more prepared for this birth than I was for my own. However, was this event the birth of a baby really worthy of the mass hysteria surrounding it?

what sells Life-changing events are happening every day, af around the world, but a royal baby is w newspapers. Whose fault is that?

D

With all the problems the world faces, why are our timelines and news feeds constantly full of &#x27;news&#x27; of celebrity haircuts and break-ups? It seems crazy that many worldwide news organizations take the time to Inform us about the lives of famous people instead of more serious stories. How did entertainment news become worldwide valued hard-news stories? And why do we appear to be more interested in celebrities than what&#x27;s actually going on in the world?

CE

Firstly, the invention of TV and radio, and the rise of the internet have all contributed to the role celebrities play in our mainstream news. The private lives of &#x27;celebs are simply more accessible now. Also, because of the increased presence of the paparazzi and their photos in media texts, there has been a decline in the credibility of the press and there is now an unclear line between what is simply entertainment and what is news.

It is fair to say that much of the regular news can be depressing, sometimes boring and often hard to follow. A lot of us don&#x27;t take the time to keep up with it because It gets us down. Celebrity news, however, is entertaining and it is somehow reassuring to know that celebrities go through tough times too.

Another factor is familiarity. When strangers meet, they look for a common bond. We may not know anything about each other&#x27;s personal lives, so there&#x27;s no connection there. Celebrity news provides that common ground. Most of us can talk about the latest Justin Bieber scandal or what the Beckhams are up to, and we can share our opinions and interest with each other. However, there is a darker side to focusing on the misfortunes of the rich and famous. Watching celebrities fall from grace or go wild makes the rest of us feel more confident about ourselves. There&#x27;s a strange satisfaction we experience when we see somebody who has everything money, fame, power, good looks-seem just as miserable as the guy next door. In comparison, we can feel that we are better than tham because we haven&#x27;t made the same mistakes.

Ban roya

On a positive note, celebrity has also become one of the principal ways in which information is spread. Even health advice is provided through stories of celebrities encounters with illness. For example, on the back of the announcement of Kylie Minogue&#x27;s breast cancer treatment, the media was full of breast cancer reports and personal stories. If celebrities can raise awareness of such issues as health, politics and the environment, perhaps our fascination with them could be a good thing

However, while entertainment news is fun and an escape from our everyday lives, when put into perspective, all entertainment news has done is dumb c down our generation by making the behaviour of the Kardashians and Kate Middleton more important and newsworthy than civil war and famine. Yes, the &#x27;real&#x27; news does hold negative and depressing stories, but that&#x27;s because, sadly, our world is filled with them. We appear to be at a point where we consider the conduct of actors and pop stars to be of greater importance than truly significant events. It&#x27;s sad to say, but there&#x27;s little doubt that information regarding celebrity behaviour will outlast the coverage of culturally monumental events. We need to re-evaluate our perception of significance and importance if this is ever going to change. Think of the message that we, the younger generation, are absorbing. We are systematically being shown that nothing matters as long as you&#x27;re famous and pretty. In the long run, beauty and notoriety fade, but cultural significance and positive change are much more lasting and respected. Instead of aspiring to be pretty and famous, we need to strive to be groundbreakers, policy makers and dream chasers. We need to realize that simple popularity or material wealth are not equivalent to the mark we could make on our world. It is very sad that this isn&#x27;t an obvious truth.

The author believes that....

A the distinction between serious news and entertainment is ambiguous.

B newspapers publish too many paparazzi-style photographs these days.

C newspapers are in competition with TV and internet news,

news is that... 2 One of the main reasons people prefer celebrity

A they enjoy seeing attractive photographs in articles about celebrities.

B reading serious news is too time-consuming

C mainstream news can be dull and difficult to understand in comparison.

3 Celebrities are a useful topic

Accepted Answer

1. The author believes that...
   **A. the distinction between serious news and entertainment is ambiguous.**

2. One of the main reasons people prefer celebrity news is that...
   **C. mainstream news can be dull and difficult to understand in comparison.**

3. Celebrities are a useful topic...
   **because they provide common ground for conversation and can raise awareness of important issues.**

The birth of baby Prince George of Cambridge has been one of the most highly anticipated news events In recent years. The world's press waited outside the hospital and hoards of well-wishers crowded ou...