3、Be careful! Someone may use the truth to deceive.When he tells you something that is true, but leaves out important
information that should be included, he can create a false impression.
For example, someone might say, “I just won a hundred dollars on the
lottery.It was great.I took
that dollar ticket back to the store and turned it in for one hundred dollars!”
This guy’s a winner, right? Maybe, maybe not.We then discover that he bought two hundred tickets, and only one
was a winner. He’s really a big
loser!
He didn’t say anything that was false, but
he purposely left out important information.That’s called a half-truth.Half-truths are not
technically lies, but they are just as dishonest.
Untrustworthy candidates in
political campaigns often use this tactic.Let’s say that during Governor Smith’s last term, her state lost one million jobs and gained three
million jobs.Then she seeks another term.One of her opponents runs an ad saying, “During
Governor Smith’s term, the state lost one million jobs!” That’s true.However
an honest statement would have been, “During Governor
Smith’s term, the state had a net gain of two million
jobs.”
Advertisers will sometimes use
half-truths.It’s against the law to make false claims so they try to mislead you
with the truth.An ad might boast, “Nine out of ten doctors recommend Yucky Pills to cure nose pimples.” It fails to mention that they only asked ten doctors and nine of
them work for the Yucky Corporation.
This kind of deception happens too
often.It’s a sad fact of life: Lies are lies, and sometimes the truth can lie
as well.
1.Which statement is true according to the article?
A.Whenever people tell the truth, they are really lying.
B.You can’t trust gamblers.
C.All governors help their states.
D.The truth can be used in dishonest ways.
2.The underlined word “deceive” in the first sentence means ________.
A.removing one’s teeth in
public
B.ignore warnings
C.fool
D.repair
3.The author clearly wants people to ________.
A.think carefully about what they read and hear
B.wear mismatched socks during political campaigns
C.never trust anyone
D.vote for female candidates
4.An appropriate title for this passage would be
________.
A.Half-truth
B.Everyone Lies
C.Lying With the Truth
D.Nose Pimples