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This test consists of 5 multiple choice questions, 5 short answer questions, and 10 short essay questions.

Multiple Choice Questions

1. When did the daytime talk shows become popular?
(a) 1960s.
(b) 1990s.
(c) 1970s.
(d) 1980s.

2. What does the phrase "Commodification of desire" refer to?
(a) Connecting the product with a desire to fit in.
(b) Connecting the product with a desire to be rich.
(c) Connecting the product with fulfilling the American dream.
(d) Connecting the product with an unrelated desire

3. Why is the Oprah Winfrey show popular, according to Steven D. Stark?
(a) It provides some kind of group therapy.
(b) It focuses on sensationalism.
(c) It focuses on a variety of topics and includes celebrities.
(d) It provides American women an outlet for sharing their issues.

4. What is the essay by Robert Hilburn "The Not-so-big Hit Single" about?
(a) How the big hits influence pop culture.
(b) How the Grammy awards influence the perception of a big hit song.
(c) How the music ratings changed with time.
(d) How The Beatles dominated the music industry.

5. According to Sandra Tsing Loh, the author of "The Return of Doris Day," how is a good girl movie character portrayed in a movie?
(a) A good girl movie character is conscious of her image and undergoes plastic surgery.
(b) A good girl movie character adores her boyfriend and takes care of him.
(c) A good girl movie character loves traditional things and pets.
(d) A good girl movie character is courageous and deals with a society that has problems.

Short Answer Questions

1. What do designer labels symbolize, according to Anne Norton?

2. According to the authors, why do people buy a product?

3. What are some motivators typically used in ads?

4. What is Semiotics really about?

5. What do media signs often conceal?

Short Essay Questions

1. What is the image projected by an American mall? What is the real image?

2. How is semiotic analysis of TV program different from a review or opinion?

3. What method do the authors introduce to study popular culture?

4. When did the Energizer bunny ad appear? How is it a cultural icon in terms of success?

5. What is the Democracy of Goods according to Marchand?

6. What archetype does the movie Pretty Woman represent? What are the archetypes for the hero (Richard Gere) and the heroine (Julia Roberts)?

7. According to the authors, what are the advantages of writing about popular culture?

8. Describe some of the key elements or processes involved in the semiotic analysis of TV programs.

9. What is an archetype? Give two examples.

10. What are some examples of popular culture?

(see the answer keys)

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