Use of English

Shaping Public Opinion

People often imagine that public opinion is something that appears naturally, but in reality it is gradually (0) FORMED by many different influences. News reports, conversations with friends, social media and personal experience all play a (1) .......... in shaping what people think. In addition, the way information is presented can have a strong (2) .......... on how it is understood. A dramatic headline, for example, may lead readers to (3) .......... conclusions before they have read the full story. At the same time, people do not simply accept every message they come (4) .......... . They are more likely to trust ideas that fit their existing beliefs and values. This is why repeated messages can be so powerful: over time, familiar opinions may begin to (5) .......... more reasonable than new or challenging ones. Public figures also have an important part to play, especially when they are widely (6) .......... as reliable or persuasive. For this reason, it is essential to think critically and check facts carefully. Otherwise, false ideas can (7) .......... quickly and influence large numbers of people. In the end, public opinion is rarely based on one single event, but rather on a process that (8) .......... place over time.