Liar, Liar (Computer-based Lesson)

 

 

 

 

Liar, Liar 

 

Hi there.

Today you will use your computer to carry out a number of activities. 

Follow the instructions carefully and ask your teacher for help, should you get stuck.

First of all, pair up with another student (or two if necessary).  You will work together during some of today's activities.

Okay.  Here we go.  Good luck and have fun!

Lead-in Activity

Look at the phrases below and discuss what you think they mean.  Do you know anyone who they could be used to describe? Tell your partner who and why.

"I'm as honest as the day is long."

"You can't trust him as far as you can throw him."

"She wouldn't know the truth if it came up and hit her in the face."

Now read the famous quotes below and discuss whether you agree with them, giving reasons why.

“If you tell the truth, you don't have to 

remember anything.” 

― Mark Twain

“Anything is better than lies and deceit!” 

― Leo Tolstoy, Anna Karenina

“Hard truths can be dealt with, triumphed

over, but lies will destroy your soul.” 

― Patricia Briggs, Moon Called

LISTENING ACTIVITY

Activity One

1. Right click on the link below and open it in a new tab.  Watch the video clip and then return to this page and read instruction 2.

http://youtu.be/hJ3lxzuI_sc


2.  Now read the questions below and then watch the video clip again.  Once you have done that, answer the questions and compare them with your partner.

a). What lies does the Pinocchio tell?

b). What happens each time he lies?

c). How many lies does he tell in total?

d). Why do you think he lies to the fairy?

e). What do you think the moral of this tale is?

Great!  Now you've done that, it's time to move on to activity two.

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Activity Two

In this section, there are some phrases relating to being dishonest.  Follow the instructions and complete the activities.  Don't forget to ask your teacher for help, should you need it!

1.  Look at the phrases below and match them to the definitions.  Once you have done that, compare your answers with your partner(s).  Give reasons for your choices.

Idiomatic Phrases:

a). to pull the wool over somebody's eyes

b). to tell somebody a white lie

c). to tell somebody a tall tale

d). to lie through your teeth

e). to stretch the truth

f). to make it up as you go along

g). to tell somebody a whopper (of a lie)

h). to cover (up) your tracks
 

Literal Meanings:

 

1). to tell somebody a huge lie

2). to tell a complete lie

3). to tell somebody an elaborate lie

4). to invent the details of a story as you are speaking

5). to tell somebody a small lie

6). to conceal your wrongdoing

7). to completely trick somebody with a lie

8). to say something which is not completely honest, in order to make something seem better or worse than it really is

 

 

2.  Choose three of the idiomatic phrases and write down questions containing them. 

Example:  When was the last time you lied through your

teeth?  Tell me about it.

 

3.  Once you and your partner(s) are ready, take turns to

ask and answer each other’s questions.  Give good

information.

 

 

4.  Now discuss the question below with your partner(s):

 

In what situations do people lie?   Why do you think

they resort to lying, rather than telling the truth? 

 

HOW TO SPOT A LIAR

 

 

Activity Three


1.  Read the paragraph below and then discuss whether or not you agree with it with your partner.

Many experts believe that you can tell if somebody is lying by studying their body language, tone of voice, gestures, eye movement, etc.  They say that what somebody tells you is less important than how they act.

2.  Now you are going to watch a  video clip about how to spot if somebody is lying to you. Just right click on the video and open it in a new page/tab to watch it.  Once you have done that, move on to number 3.

 

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=b1bol0C7_FA

 

 

 3. Read the questions below and then watch the video clip again.  Answer the questions.

1.  What are the signs somebody is lying to you?

2.  What does the brain do automatically?

3.  What happens when we react to situations?

4.  What non-verbal clues can help to spot a liar?

5.  What note of caution does the man offer?

6.  What does the man say about people looking away while they are talking to somebody else?

7.  What happens to people's gestures when they are lying?

8.  What percentage of people are not overly trusting?

9.  What should we do if somebody is trying to put pressure on us to sign something quickly?

10.  What is invading somebody's space compared to?

11.  What should you do the next time a sales person tries to put pressure on you?

 

 

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Activity Four

Now it's your turn to see if you can spot a tall tale, a white lie or if somebody is trying to pull the wool over your eyes.

1. Write down three facts about you, but make one of them a lie. 

2.  Now get back together with your partner(s) and find two/three other students to team up with.

3.  You will each take a turn to tell the group your facts.  The others will ask you questions, in an attempt to work out if your fact is a lie.  Once you have given all three facts, your partners will decide which fact they believe is a lie, and give reasons why.  Once they have voted on which fact is untrue, you can reveal the lie.

Each person will have a maximum of 4 minutes to give their facts and be questioned by the rest of the group.  Go for it!

I hope that you've enjoyed today's lesson.

That's all folks!