Reading Comprehension

Beware of those who use the truth to deceive. When someone 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 deliberately omitted 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 sate 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. What does “deceive” mean?

a. removing one’s teeth in public
b. ignore warnings
c. fool
d. repair

3. What does “omitted” mean?

a. spent money
b. left out
c. told about
d. exposed

4. 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

5. Another appropriate title for this selection would be:

a. Natural Cat Food
b. Everyone Lies
c. Lying With the Truth
d. Nose Pimples

Reading Comprehension, Vol. 8, No. 1, November 15, 2002http://rhlschool.comCopyright 2002 RHL

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