
A cub reporter is another name for a ______. A. copyboy B. campus reporter C. newspaper editor D. beginning reporter
A cub reporter refers to a beginning reporter who is new to the profession and still in the early stages of their career. Multiple authoritative sources consistently define "cub reporter" as an inexperienced journalist. For example, Cambridge English Dictionary describes it as "a young person being trained to write articles for a newspaper" . Chinese reference materials uniformly translate it as "初出茅庐的新闻记者" (a fledgling journalist) or "新手记者" (new reporter) . The term combines "cub" (meaning a young, inexperienced animal or person) with "reporter," directly indicating someone who is just starting out in journalism .
Looking at the options provided:
A. Copyboy: Incorrect. A copyboy typically handles administrative tasks in a newsroom, not reporting.
B. Campus reporter: Incorrect. This specifically refers to reporters working at educational institutions, not a general term for beginners.
C. Newspaper editor: Incorrect. Editors are responsible for overseeing content, not the entry-level reporting role denoted by "cub."
D. Beginning reporter: Correct. This matches the core meaning of "cub reporter" as defined by all referenced sources.
The term "cub reporter" carries a connotation of youth and inexperience, often implying someone learning the ropes through hands-on training. It's a classic term in journalism that evokes the image of eager newcomers cutting their teeth on basic assignments before advancing to more complex stories. When you encounter this phrase in books or movies, it's almost always referring to someone at the very start of their reporting career.