C1 ADVANCED · VOCABULARY · TOPIC VOCABULARY
The media
Words like clickbait, biased, censorship and hit the headlines.
Finn says
At C1, media topics include trust in news, social media influence and freedom of the press. Learn the words in groups, with the words they go with, and try to use two or three of them next time you practise Speaking or Writing.
News and journalism
hit the headlines
become major news
The scandal hit the headlines last week.
biased / unbiased
unfairly supporting one side / fair
The report was clearly biased.
press freedom
the right to report without control
Press freedom is vital in a democracy.
censorship
controlling what can be published
The government was accused of censorship.
investigative journalism
reporting that uncovers hidden facts
Investigative journalism exposed the fraud.
coverage
how much the media report something
The election received wide coverage.
Online media
clickbait
headlines designed to get clicks
I ignore clickbait articles.
an influencer
someone with many followers who affects opinions
Influencers often promote products.
an echo chamber
where you only hear views like your own
Social media can become an echo chamber.
go viral
spread very quickly online
The clip went viral overnight.
sensationalism
exaggerating news to shock
Tabloids are known for sensationalism.
a reliable source
information you can trust
Always check reliable sources.
Make it better
The same idea, first in basic English, then in the kind of language that gets a higher mark.
- Basic: The story was on all the front pages.Better: The story hit the headlines.Idiomatic and precise.
- Basic: The newspaper only shows one side.Better: The newspaper is biased.One exact adjective.
- Basic: People only see opinions like their own online.Better: Social media creates echo chambers.An advanced concept.
- Basic: The media reported it a lot.Better: It received extensive coverage.Formal, good for reports.
Finn's exam tip
Media can be plural ('the media are') or singular ('the media is') – both are accepted, but be consistent. In formal writing, 'the media have a responsibility…' sounds very natural.
Quick check
Choose the best answer.
🇪🇸 Guía en español: Phrasal verbs para el C1 Advanced: lista con ejemplos →
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