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Lesson 35

Should We Always Tell the Truth? (Moral Dilemmas)

Intermediate 7

Should We Always Tell the Truth? (Moral Dilemmas)

Exercise 1

Vocabulary

Direction: Listen and repeat after your tutor.

Candid

/ˈkæn.dɪd/

Meaning:

Honest and straightforward; always telling the truth.

    It's important to be candid with your friends.

Guilt

/ɡɪlt/

Meaning:

A bad feeling when you know you’ve done something wrong.

    She felt guilt after lying to her parents.

Own up (to)

/əʊn ʌp/

Meaning:

To admit that you did something wrong.

    He finally owned up to breaking the vase.

Cover up

/ˈkʌv.ər ʌp/

Meaning:

To hide the truth about something.

    They tried to cover up their mistake at work.

Exercise 2

Role Play

Direction:

1. Your tutor would play the dailogue. Listen carefully.
2. After listening, Read the conversation aloud.
3. Role-play the conversation with your tutor.

00:00 / 00:40

Situation: Lena and David are discussing whether it’s always right to tell the truth.

Lena

Do you think we should always tell the truth?

Student 1

David

Not always. Sometimes a lie can protect someone’s feelings.

Student 2

Lena

I get that, but lying makes me feel guilt.

Student 1

David

Me too. But what if telling the truth hurts someone more?

Lena

Then maybe it’s better to be honest in a kind way.

Student 2
Student 1

David

True. It’s hard when you have to own up to something you did.

Student 2

Lena

Or when people try to cover up their mistakes.

Student 1

David

In the end, honesty builds trust, don’t you think?

Student 2


QUESTION

1. Why does Lena feel bad about lying?

2. What does David say about protecting someone’s feelings?

3. What phrasal verb means to admit doing something wrong?

Exercise 3

Let's Practice

Direction:  Complete the exercise.

Correct_edited.png
00:00 / 00:01

Play sound when student answers correctly.

Incorrect_edited.png
00:00 / 00:06

Play sound when the answer is incorrect.


Vocabulary 

Fill in the Blank (Use the words: candid, guilt, own up, cover up)


1. After the accident, he decided to __________ to his mistake.


2. She felt deep __________ after she told a lie to her best friend.


3. I appreciate it when people are __________ about their opinions.


4. The company tried to __________ the error in their report.


5. It’s not easy to __________ when you’ve done something wrong.



Modal Verbs 

Fill in the Blank (Use: should, must, might, could, shouldn't)


1. We __________ always try to be honest, even when it’s hard.


2. You __________ lie just to make someone happy.


3. He __________ have told the truth, but he was scared.


4. They __________ lose their job if they keep covering up mistakes.


5. I __________ speak to her privately about this.


Exercise 4

Your Turn To Ask

Ask your tutor these questions


QUESTION


1. Have you ever told a lie to protect someone’s feelings?


2. Is honesty always the best policy in your culture?


3. How do you usually react when someone lies to you?


Exercise 5

Your Turn to Answer

Talk about yourself using the expressions you have learned in this lesson.


1. Can telling the truth ever do more harm than good? Give an example.


2. Is it okay to tell a “white lie”? Why or why not?


3. How would you handle a friend who lies often?


4. Have you ever faced a moral dilemma about telling the truth?


5. Should parents always be honest with their children?


6. Is honesty more important in business or in personal relationships?


7. How do lies affect trust between people?


8. Can you think of a time when lying was the right choice?


9. What are some consequences of hiding the truth at work?


10. How can we teach children to be honest?


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