Angry accusations and body language tells don’t work. If you think someone is lying to you, try this law enforcement-approved approach instead.
Read the article:
and choose the best answer (A, B, C, or D).
1. According to Joshua Mason, what is usually the worst first reaction to a suspected liar?
a) Asking detailed questions
b) Remaining silent
c) Accusing them directly
d) Taking notes
2.Why are body language cues often unreliable?
a) Most people can control them.
b) Detectives rarely use them.
c) They only work with criminals.
d) Anxiety can have many causes.
3. What is the purpose of “labeling what you see”?
a) To trap the person
b) To embarrass the person
c) To offer the person an opportunity to explain
d) To prove they are lying
4. Why does Mason recommend asking “what” questions rather than “why” questions?
a) They sound more aggressive.
b) They encourage new information.
c) They are shorter.
d) They reveal body language.
5.What is the main idea of the article?
a) Patience and detailed questioning are effective ways to uncover dishonesty.
b) Detectives rely on body language.
c) Most people are poor liars.
d) Liars always confess eventually.
Key: 1c); 2d); 3c); 4b); 5a)
Now match the expressions with their meanings.
|
1. call out |
a) discover the truth |
|
2. leave something out |
b) become confused by your own explanations |
|
3. get to the bottom of |
c) challenge someone’s behaviour |
|
4. tie yourself in knots |
d) hide or ignore a problem |
|
5. paper over |
e) omit information |
Key: 1c); 2e); 3a); 4b); 5d)
Glossary
- something is off – something isn’t right
- to nudge sb – to gently encourage or push someone toward a particular action
- fidgety – unable to sit still; showing nervous movements
- taxing – requiring a lot of mental or physical effort; exhausting
- to veer – to suddenly change direction, opinion, or course
- to probe – to investigate carefully by asking questions
- nitty-gritty – the most important practical details of something
- candid – honest and direct, especially when discussing difficult topics
- to lure – to attract or persuade someone to do something, often gradually
- tangled up – confused, trapped, or caught in a complicated situation
Practice makes perfect
Watch the video:
Which statement sounds more deceptive according to the video? Explain why.
1.
a) I forgot to send the report.
b) The report unfortunately wasn’t sent due to unforeseen circumstances.
2.
a) Damage occurred to the vehicle.
b) I damaged the car.
3.
a) I lied about the figures.
b) Certain inaccuracies may have appeared in the figures.
4.
a) I took the money from the cash register.
b) Funds appear to have been removed from the register at some point.
5.
a) Due to a variety of circumstances and competing priorities, project completion was unfortunately not achieved.
b) I didn’t finish the project because I got distracted.
Key: 1c); 2e); 3a); 4b); 5d)
Discuss
- Have you ever had a gut instinct that someone wasn’t being completely honest? Were you right?
- Do you trust your intuition when it comes to judging people? Why or why not?
- Were you surprised to learn that body language cues are often unreliable?
- Have you ever noticed someone “tying themselves in knots” while explaining something?
- Can you think of examples of politicians, celebrities, or companies using vague language to avoid responsibility?
- Is honesty always the best policy? Are “white lies” acceptable?
- What kinds of lies are most common in job interviews?
- Is it possible to rebuild trust after someone has lied?
Watch and Revise!
Detect Lies Like a Pro
Tips from a Vete ran Detective
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