Read the following passage about the impact of tweeting on everybody and mark the letter A, B, C or D on your answer sheet to indicate the option that best fits each of the numbered blanks from 18 to 22
EVERYBODY’S TWEETING
Twitter (18) ________________ for a podcasting website, but then people realized that it offered them the power to connect with millions of people instantly. Suddenly, everyone had a voice, as long as it wasn’t longer than 140 characters. But what are we using it for, and just how is Twitter changing the way we do things?
Perhaps the greatest impact Twitter has had is on breaking news. Before Twitter, (19) _____________ before finally broadcasting it on the radio or TV. These days, anyone who happens to be in the right place at the right time with a Twitter account can post news the second it happens. For example, Janis Krums posted a photo and a tweet when he witnessed a US flight making an emergency landing in the Hudson River. He must never have imagined that he would break the story to the world.
Following Pop Idols
Young people have always loved to follow their pop idols, and Twitter has made it a whole lot easier. Before the Internet, teenagers used to join the fan clubs of their favorite bands and write letters to their heroes,
(20) _________________ to get a reply written by the club secretary. Today’s teenagers don’t need to wait. By following their idols on Twitter, they get all the news the minute it happens: their meals, activities, or even thoughts. And all the news comes directly from the bands themselves.
Creating Movements
Twitter allows people who think the same way to get together and (21) ______________. These problems may be cyberbullying, sexism, or racism. They can share information, organize campaigns, and put pressure on related departments. Twitter has given the man and woman on the street the power to make a difference.
Identifying the source of a piece of news
It’s good to get an idea of the background of a person who says or writes something. Are they an impartial expert or someone who wants to change your opinion to suit their own agenda? For example, this statement about a flu epidemic, “Patients can already spread the virus a day before they’ve even fallen sick themselves”, is more likely to come from a doctor than a politician. On the other hand, “We have to stop people who are carrying the virus from getting into the country” is more likely to come from a politician. (22) _____________, you’re better able to decide how much importance to give it and whether you can really trust what they say.