Can You Trust What You Read Online? – Teacher Answers
Answer key and listening script for the teacher. This page is kept separate from the student lesson.
Teacher answer key
- Lesson goals / warm-up: answers will vary.
- Reading: discussion answer will vary. Popularity alone does not prove accuracy.
- Vocabulary: 1 D, 2 B, 3 E, 4 F, 5 A, 6 C.
- Reading comprehension: 1) Appearance does not guarantee accuracy; it may still contain mistakes. 2) Any two: Who created it? When was it published/updated? Where did the information come from? Can key facts be confirmed elsewhere? 3) A fact can be checked with evidence; an opinion expresses a view or feeling. 4) Surprising claims may be inaccurate and should be supported by evidence. 5) AI can produce confident-sounding answers that contain errors.
- Language focus: Accept sensible cautious rewrites, e.g. “This story may be false.” “The photo seems to support the claim.” “According to this website, the information is correct.” “The writer might know what happened.”
- Listening script: “A post says that a new drink improves memory in only three days. It shows a colourful picture and says thousands of people recommend it. However, the post does not name a study, expert or reliable source. Before sharing it, a careful reader should search for the original evidence and compare the claim with another trustworthy source.” Answers: 1) A new drink improves memory in three days. 2) A named study, expert or reliable source/evidence. 3) Find the original evidence and compare with another trustworthy source.
- Speaking: answers will vary; encourage reasons and examples.
- Use Your English: The imaginary post gives no named source or study and uses “scientists proved” and “50% more” to sound authoritative. Students should want the original research and independent confirmation. Writing answers will vary.
- Game: 1 F, 2 O, 3 C, 4 F, 5 O. For 3, students might request a named study, data, comparison group, method or independent evidence.
Success criteria: student self-check; no single answer is required.
For open-ended tasks, accept different answers when students can explain or support them clearly.