Hundreds of years ago, news was carried from place to place by people on foot or by horse. It took days, weeks and sometimes months for people to receive news. Now it is possible to send words and pictures around the world in seconds. Billions of people learn about news stories of their own country and all over the world every day, either by watching TV or reading newspapers.

Newspapers have been an important part of everyday life since the 18th century. Many countries have hundreds of different newspapers. How do newspaper editors decide which news stories to print? Why do they print some stories and not others? What makes a good newspaper story?

Firstly, it is important to report news stories. TV stations can report news much faster than newspapers. Yet, newspapers give more about the same story. They may also look at the story in another way, or they may print completely different stories to those on TV.

Secondly, a news story has to be interesting and unusual. People don’t want to read stories about everyday life. As a result, many stories are about some kind of danger and seem to be "bad" news. For example, newspapers never print stories about planes landing safely; instead they print stories about plane accidents.

Another factor is also very important in many news stories. Many people are interested in news in foreign countries, but more prefer to read stories about people, places and events in their own country. So the stories on the front page in Chinese newspapers are usually very different from the ones in British, French and American newspapers.

1. According to the passage, how do people learn about news stories in the world now?

A. They carry news stories and tell others from place to place on foot or by horse.

B. They tell each other what they have seen with their eyes.

C. They listen to the radio every day.

D. They watch TV or read newspapers.

2. The difference between newspaper stories and TV news reports is that _______.

A. people can read the news story more quickly in a newspaper

B. people can learn more about the same news story from a newspaper

C. people can read news stories in other countries

D. people can read news stories about their own country

3. To make a good newspaper story, how many factors does the passage talk about?

A. Two.                B. Five.               C. Three.                      D. Six.

4. According to the passage, which aspect of the following can you most possibly watch on TV?

A. You often play football with your friends after school.

B. Your teacher has got a cold.

C. The bike in front of your house is lost.

D. A tiger in the city zoo has run out and hasn’t been caught.

5. Which of the following is Not true in this passage?

A. People like to read interesting and unusual news.

B. News stories on the front page of every country are always the same.

C. Not only TV but also newspapers can help people to learn what is happening around the world.

D. Newspapers have been an important part of everyday life for more than three hundred years.