Media and Society – Summary, Explanation and Exercise Solutions
Media and Society Summary | NEB Class 11 English
The chapter "Media and Society" explores the profound impact of social media on modern human life. It defines social media as computer-based technology that facilitates the sharing of ideas and information through virtual networks. While platforms like Facebook, YouTube, and blogs offer immense benefits—such as global connectivity, instant news, and educational resources—the text also warns of the legal and social risks involved.
The chapter highlights the real-life case of Prita Mulyasari, an Indonesian woman who was detained and fined for a private email complaining about hospital services. Her message was shared on a public forum, leading to a legal battle for defamation. However, the story also shows the positive power of social media: a massive online campaign titled "Bantu Bebaskan Prita" (Help Free Prita) collected enough money to pay her fine. Ultimately, the lesson is that while social media is a powerful tool, humans must remain stronger and wiser by thinking critically before they post or share information.
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Ways with Words
A. Find the words from the text that have the following meanings:
a. a personal or corporate website: blog
b. a job requiring expertise in a particular field: profession
c. a feeling of sadness: disappointment
d. put under custody: detained
e. found guilty: convicted
f. breaking or disregarding rules or system: violating
g. advantages and disadvantages: pros and cons
h. a non-statutory monetary penalty: amercement
B. Use the following prepositional verbs in sentences:
- apologize to: She apologized to the teacher for submitting her assignment late.
- adapt to: Students must adapt to new teaching methods in modern classrooms.
- devote to: He devotes most of his free time to helping poor children study.
- refer to: The speaker referred to several historical events during his lecture.
- reply to: She quickly replied to the email sent by her professor.
- admire for: Many people admire him for his honesty and dedication.
- apply for: She plans to apply for a scholarship to continue her studies.
- pray for: The villagers gathered at the temple to pray for rain.
- scold for: The mother scolded her son for breaking the window.
- vote for: Most citizens voted for the candidate who promised reform.
- aim at: The program aims at improving students’ communication skills.
- arrive at: The train will arrive at the station in a few minutes.
- glance at: He glanced at his watch before entering the meeting room.
- look at: The doctor asked the patient to look at the chart carefully.
- bring up: Her grandparents brought up her after her parents moved abroad.
- agree on: The committee agreed on a new plan for the project.
- comment on: The minister refused to comment on the controversial issue.
- concentrate on: She concentrated on solving the difficult mathematics problem.
- rely on: Farmers in this village rely on rainfall for their crops.
- count on: You can always count on your friends for support.
- grow up: He grew up in a small village surrounded by mountains.
- escape from: The prisoner escaped from the jail during the night.
- recover from: The athlete worked hard to recover from his injury.
- resign from: She decided to resign from her position due to personal reasons.
- suffer from: Many elderly people suffer from joint pain.
- separate from: The child was separated from his parents in the crowd.
- worry about: Parents often worry about their children’s future.
- argue about: The students argued about the results of the football match.
- boast about: He often boasts about his achievements in school.
- dream about: She dreams about becoming a successful doctor someday.
- acquaint with: Reading books will acquaint you with different cultures.
- agree with: I completely agree with your opinion on this matter.
- charge with: The police charged the man with fraud.
- trust with: The manager trusted her with important financial responsibilities.
- confuse with: Many tourists confuse this temple with another nearby monument.
- believe in: She believes in honesty and hard work.
- involve in: The workshop will involve students in group discussions.
- succeed in: With determination, anyone can succeed in life.
- specialize in: The company specializes in producing organic food.
absorb in: Students were deeply absorbed in reading the interesting story.Comprehension
A. Fill in the gaps with appropriate words/phrases from the text:
a. People are using social media for individual as well as marketing purposes.
b. Social media is not only a platform for sharing views, but also a platform for marketing strategy.
c. The hospital wanted Prita to pay Rp. 100 million for immaterial losses.
d. Some singers organized charity concerts to help Prita.
e. The campaign to help Prita was able to collect Rp. 825 million.
B. Answer these questions:
a. How do you define social media? Social media is defined as a computer-based technology that enables the sharing of ideas, thoughts, and digital information through the creation of virtual networks and online communities.
b. Social media has been an integral part of modern life. How? Social media has become essential because it allows humans to interact across vast distances instantly. It provides unprecedented access to global communication, allowing people to stay connected regardless of their physical location.
c. Why do people use Facebook and YouTube? Generally, people use Facebook to exchange personal news, stay updated with friends through text and images, and use YouTube primarily to consume and share video content.
d. What is a blog? How can it be beneficial to us? A blog is a regularly updated website or page, usually run by an individual or small group, written in an informal style. It is beneficial as it helps improve writing skills, connects us with like-minded people, and serves as a platform for sharing knowledge.
e. Was Prita’s intention bad when she sent a message to her friends? No, her intention was not malicious. She sent the message to her private circle of friends simply to warn them to be cautious when accepting medical services, based on her personal experience.
f. How did Prita's message become a big problem? The situation escalated into a major problem after one of her friends shared the private message on a public website called "The People’s Forum," making the private complaint a public defamation issue.
g. Why was she convicted by the court? The court convicted her for violating specific laws regarding Information and Communication Technology (ICT) and for causing immaterial losses to the hospital through her online comments.
h. What was the purpose of the campaign, “Bantu Bebaskan Prita”? The primary goal of the "Bantu Bebaskan Prita" campaign was to mobilize the community to collect funds so that Prita could pay the heavy amercement (fine) imposed by the court.
i. How are people stronger than social media? People are stronger because they possess the power of choice and critical thinking. We have the ability to think before we speak or act, allowing us to control the technology rather than letting it control us.
Critical Thinking
a. Does social media have a positive impact on society? Discuss. Social media has revolutionized how society functions, offering numerous benefits. Its user-friendly nature allows people to bridge geographical gaps, fostering connections with friends and family worldwide.
From an educational standpoint, social media is an invaluable resource; students can access a vast library of information with a single click. Furthermore, it has replaced traditional newspapers for many, ensuring that people are socially aware of global issues in real-time. It also provides a free stage for artists to showcase their talents and serves as a vital tool for job seekers to find employment opportunities. In essence, when used responsibly, social media enhances our well-being and social awareness.
b. How do you compare virtual communication and face-to-face communication? While both serve the purpose of exchanging information, they differ significantly in experience. Face-to-face communication is the traditional method where physical presence is key. It allows for the interpretation of non-verbal cues like body language and facial expressions, which provides greater clarity and emotional depth. It is often preferred for building deep, personal trust.
On the other hand, virtual communication utilizes technology like email, video calls, and social media to connect people across borders. Its greatest advantage is convenience; we can communicate with anyone at any time without physical boundaries. However, it lacks the tangible presence of the other party. While virtual communication offers efficiency and a "new domain of possibilities" for business and global networking, face-to-face communication remains the gold standard for personal and high-stakes social interaction.
Writing
What is cyberbullying? What are its effects? How can it be stopped? Cyberbullying is the use of digital devices and electronic communication—like SMS, social media, or email—to intimidate, threaten, or humiliate someone. It often involves spreading rumors, posting hateful comments, or sharing private information without consent.
The effects of cyberbullying are devastating. Because the internet is accessible 24/7, victims feel unsafe even in their own homes. It causes profound mental and emotional harm, leading to low self-esteem, depression, and in extreme cases, suicidal thoughts. Unlike physical bullying, the digital footprints of cyberbullying can last forever, causing long-term damage to a person's reputation.
Stopping cyberbullying requires a collective effort. Awareness is the first step; children should be taught digital etiquette from an early age. Parental monitoring is also crucial to ensure safe online behavior. Most importantly, any instance of bullying must be reported immediately to the platform or authorities. By speaking up and refusing to be silent, we can prevent these incidents from destroying lives.
Grammar
B. Complete the following sentences using the correct prepositions of direction: to, toward, onto, or into.
a. Prem drove Milan to the airport.
b. The plane landed onto the runway.
c. The kids climbed onto the monkey bars.
d. Manish and Richa moved the table into the dining room.
e. Ganesh almost fell into the river.
f. Lalit and Sarita took the bus that was heading toward the university.
C. Complete the sentences with the correct preposition from the brackets:
a. While we were hiking through the forest, we saw a mountain lion.
b. The leopards walked in a circle round the baby giraffe before they attacked.
c. Go out of the building and turn left.
d. She ran away from home when she was eighteen.
e. Raindrops ran down the windscreen making it difficult to see the road.
f. Hemanta put the plate onto the table and began to eat his dinner.
g. The frightened deer disappeared into the forest.
h. We were driving towards the City Centre when we had an accident.
i. The smoke from the fire went up into the sky.
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