Fact or Fake?

In today’s world, we are surrounded by information. Every day, we read news, watch videos, and listen to stories.
But how do we know what is true and what is fake? The line between fact and fake is often unclear, and many
people struggle to tell the difference. Some people even cheat or create illusions to make others believe
something that is not true. In the age of the internet and social media, it has become easier than ever to create
and spread false information, sometimes without even realizing it.

Why Do People Spread Fake Information?

There are many reasons why people spread fake news or lies. Sometimes, they do it to get attention or to go viral.
Other times, they want to justify their actions or beliefs. For example, a student who did not study for an exam
might make up an excuse like, "The teacher never explained this topic," instead of being honest about their lack
of preparation. This kind of excuse protects their image, at least in the short term.

In some cases, people spread fake information because they believe it is true. They may have seen it online and
trusted the person who shared it, without doing any further checking. This is how rumors and false claims can
travel so fast.

Another reason is that fake news can spread quickly because it often seems shocking, emotional, or exciting.
These stories grab people’s attention more than regular, boring facts. People share them quickly without checking
if the information is accurate. This creates an illusion that the story is reliable, even though it is not.

Unfortunately, some people spread fake news on purpose to harm others or to make money. For instance,
websites that post false stories can earn advertising income if enough people click on their links. Political groups
may use fake news to influence public opinion or to damage their opponents.

How Can We Tell Fact from Fake?

It is not always easy, but there are ways to recognize fake information and avoid being tricked:

Check the Source – Where does the information come from? Reliable sources, like well-known news websites,
educational institutions, or official government pages, are more trustworthy than unknown blogs or random
social media posts. If a source has a history of publishing lies, it’s probably not reliable.

Look for Proof – Does the story provide facts, data, numbers, or quotes from real experts? Can you find the same
information from other trustworthy sources? If a story sounds extreme but has no evidence to support it, be
skeptical.

Think Critically – Ask yourself: Does this make sense? Is the story balanced, or is it trying too hard to make one
side look good or bad? Why would someone share this? Could it be an exaggeration or a lie?

Compare with Other Sources – If only one website or person is talking about something, it might not be true. Real
news is usually confirmed by multiple trustworthy sources. If others are not reporting it, be cautious.

Check the Date – Sometimes, old news is shared as if it’s happening now. Always check the date to make sure the
information is current and still relevant.

The Danger of Believing Fake Information

Believing fake news can have serious consequences. For example, during the COVID-19 pandemic, many false
claims about cures and vaccines spread online. Some people followed dangerous advice instead of listening to
doctors, which put their health—and the health of others—at risk.

Fake information can also damage relationships. If someone lies or spreads rumors, trust is broken. Imagine a
friend who always makes excuses instead of telling the truth—soon, others will stop believing them, even when
they are honest. The same is true for public figures, companies, or governments. Once people lose trust, it’s very
hard to get it back.

Fake news can also affect our emotions. Reading something upsetting, even if it's not true, can cause unnecessary
stress, fear, or anger. That emotional reaction can lead to arguments, especially online, and can even change the
way people vote or make decisions.

How to Avoid Spreading Fake Information

Before sharing something, take a moment to think:

 Is this information confirmed by experts or trusted sources?

 Am I sharing this just because it supports my opinion or emotions, or because I believe it is true?
 Could sharing this harm someone or cause confusion?
 Did I read the full article or just the headline?

If you are not sure, it is better not to share it. Being responsible with information helps everyone. You don’t have
to be an expert to be careful. Just take a few seconds to double-check before hitting "share."

Conclusion

The difference between fact and fake is important in our daily lives. In a world full of messages and media, we
must learn to recognize lies, excuses, and illusions so we can make better decisions and avoid being misled. By
being honest and careful with information, we can protect ourselves and others—and create a more trustworthy
world.

Would you rather believe a comfortable lie or an uncomfortable truth? The choice is yours. But remember, truth
has the power to build, while lies can only break.

(863 words)

I. TRUE / FALSE / NOT GIVEN Questions

Instructions: Decide if the following statements are True (T), False (F), or Not Given (NG) based on the text.

1. People sometimes spread fake news without realizing it's false.

2. All fake news is created with the intention to harm others.
3. A student might lie about an exam to protect their self-image.
4. Emotional or shocking news spreads more slowly than boring facts.
5. Fake news has the power to influence public opinion and elections.
6. Reading fake news can affect our mental health.
7. The article suggests avoiding the internet as a way to stop fake news.
8. Checking multiple sources can help verify if a story is true.
9. The article blames only social media users for the spread of fake news.
 10. Sharing false information can damage relationships and trust.

✅ Answer Key – TRUE / FALSE / NOT GIVEN

# Answer

1 True

2 False

3 True

4 False

5 True

6 True

7 False

8 True

9 False

10 True

📝 II. Summary Completion Questions

Instructions: Complete the summary using no more than THREE words from the text.

Fake information is everywhere nowadays, and it can be hard to tell what is real. Some people spread fake news
for attention or because they want to (1) _______ their actions, while others do it unknowingly. These stories are
often more (2) _______ than true ones, which helps them go viral. Sometimes, websites spread lies to make
money from (3) _______. To spot fake news, people should check the (4) _______ of the story and look for solid
evidence. Believing false information can lead to bad health decisions, damaged relationships, and increased (5)
_______. Before sharing anything, it’s important to double-check if it’s accurate and to be a (6) _______
information user.

✅ Answer Key – Summary Completion

1. justify
2. emotional or exciting
3. advertising income
4. source
5. stress
6. responsible
 vocabulary
1. Fake information – False or untrue details that are made up or incorrect.
2. Fact – Something that is true and can be proven with evidence.
3. Illusions – Things that appear real or true but are actually false or misleading.
4. Spread – To share or pass something from one person to another, especially news or information.
5. Go viral – To become very popular and quickly shared by many people, especially online.
6. Justify – To give a reason or excuse for something, often to make it seem acceptable.
7. Excuse – A reason someone gives to avoid blame or responsibility.
8. Rumors – Stories or statements that are passed from person to person, often without proof.
9. Claims – Statements that someone says are true, but which may not be proven.
10. Shocking – Very surprising or upsetting in a way that gets attention.
11. Emotional – Causing strong feelings like anger, sadness, or excitement.
12. Reliable sources – People or websites that give accurate, trustworthy information.
13. Skeptical – Doubtful or unsure about something; not easily believing it.
14. Critically – Carefully and thoughtfully, especially when judging if something is true or not.
15. Exaggeration – Making something seem bigger, better, or worse than it really is.
16. Relevant – Connected to the topic or current situation.
17. Consequences – The results or effects of an action, often something negative.
18. Trust – Belief that someone or something is honest and reliable.
19. Emotional reaction – A strong feeling in response to something, like fear or anger.
20. Double-check – To check again carefully to make sure something is correct or true.