My First Lie and How I Got Out Of It

 

MY FIRST LIE, AND HOW I GOT OUT OF IT 

By Mark Twain – Adapted

Mark Twain was a famous American humor writer who often used exaggeration to teach lessons about human behavior. In the story 'My First Lie and How I Got Out of It,' Twain describes a situation where a small lie begins to grow bigger and more complicated. Each attempt to fix the lie creates new problems and confusion. The story humorously shows how difficult it can be to keep track of lies once they start. 

1) Why do you think the narrator told the first lie? 

2) What happens when the narrator tries to maintain the lie?

3) What lesson do you think Mark Twain is trying to teach?

Were we lied to about George Washington and the cherry tree?!

Today, misinformation can spread quickly through social media, news outlets, and public figures. Read the scenarios below and answer the questions.

Scenario A: Social media feeds are awash with Iran war misinformation

Scenario B: Without Providing Evidence, Trump Pins School Bombing on Iran

Scenario C: Donald Trump said prices are “all coming down now.” They’re mostly going up.

4) What clues suggest these posts might not be trustworthy?

5) What steps could someone take to verify the information?

6) What might happen if thousands of people share misinformation?