Question

This excerpt is from a nonfiction book by Canadian author and humorist Stephen Leacock, published in 1922.

from My Discovery of England
There are different ways of serving up the news and we each get used to our own. Some people like the news fed to them gently.
others like it thrown at them in a bombshell: some prefer it to be made as little of as possible; they want it minimised: others want the
maximum.
This is where the greatest difference lies between the British newspapers and those of the United States and Canada. With us in
America the great thing is to get the news and shout it at the reader: in England they get the news and then break it to him as gently as
possible. Hence the big headings, the bold type, and the double columns of the American paper, and the small headings and the general air of
quiet and respectability of the English Press.
It is quite beside the question to ask which is the better. Neither is. They are different things: that's all. The English newspaper is
designed to be read quietly. propped up against the sugar bowl of a man eating a slow breakfast in a quiet corner of a club, or by a retired
banker seated in a leather chair nearly asleep, or by a country vicar sitting in a wicker chair under a pergola. The American paper is for
reading by a man hanging on the straps of a clattering subway express, by a man eating at a lunch counter, by a man standing on one leg, by a
man getting a two-minute shave, or by a man about to have his teeth drawn by a dentist.
In other words, there is a difference of atmosphere.
(from My Discovery of England by Stephen Leacock)
Which statement best describes how the author develops the idea that newspapers may report the same story much differently?
1. By detailing various examples of media, the author reveals how each newspaper shapes the population it targets.
2. By comparing the British and American press, the author determines that American newspapers are more nuanced.
3. By illustrating that different readers desire different news formats, the author concludes many newspapers are required.
4. By contrasting two types of press, the author demonstrates how they serve the needs of two very different reading publics.

Answer 1

The author develops the idea that newspapers report the same story differently by contrasting the British and American press and highlighting how they serve different reading publics. The correct answer is option: 4. By contrasting two types of press, the author demonstrates how they serve the needs of two very different reading publics.

Step-by-step explanation:

The statement that best describes how the author develops the idea that newspapers may report the same story much differently is 4) By contrasting two types of press, the author demonstrates how they serve the needs of two very different reading publics.

In the excerpt, the author compares the British and American newspapers to highlight the differences in their news presentation styles. The American newspaper is described as having big headings, bold type, and double columns, which is suitable for readers on the go, such as those on a subway or eating at a lunch counter.

On the other hand, the English newspaper is designed for a quieter reading experience, suited for individuals like a person eating a slow breakfast in a club or a country vicar relaxing under a pergola. By comparing these two types of press, the author showcases how they cater to the needs and preferences of their respective audiences, resulting in different news reporting styles.