B1 Dialog #36 Talking about lies

Today we are going to talk about lies. As always you can read the text in PDF, which you can find in the description. Follow our podcasts on iTunes and Yandex Music. For more new dialogs subscribe to our channel.

How to work with the dialog?

1. Listen to the dialogue and read the PDF transcript. Turn on subtitles if necessary.
2. Listen to the dialogue again, repeating the questions and answers aloud (!!!).
3. Come up with your own answers to the questions. Use PDF vocabulary if needed.
4. Listen to the questions and answer them aloud (!!!), with a correct intonation, pronunciation and rhythm.
5. Go back to the video from time to time and repeat the exercise.

Talking about lies in English

(1) Why do people lie?

People lie when they want to hide something. It’s obvious. Sometimes it’s very difficult to tell the truth.

(2) Is it OK to tell lies?

It depends on situations of course, but it’s better to tell the truth. Honesty is the best policy.

(3) How often do you lie?

Not often. I prefer telling the truth.

(4) What’s the biggest lie you’ve ever told?

I promised to myself that I would never eat chocolate anymore. It was the biggest lie.

(5) Children who are good liars often grow up to be very intelligent. Were you a good liar when you were a child?

I have never heard about it. I remember my grandma told me that a good child never lied. I was always trying to follow this. 

(6) Have you ever lied in a job interview?

I am not sure. Maybe 🙂

(7) Have you told any lies today?

Not yet.

(8) Who lies more, men or women?

People are different. It depends on the person I think.

(9) Has a lie someone told you ever hurt you?

No it hasn’t. Hope lie will never hurt me. 

(10) What do you think of liars?

I don’t like them. Everything secret becomes clear one day. 

Anya —–> Rinat

(1) People often say: “It’s easy to tell when politicians lie – they move their lips.” Do you agree with this?

Absolutely. Politics is a dirty thing.

(2) Do you think white lies are OK?

I think it is OK. White lies can save someone’s life. So there is nothing bad in it.

(3) Did you ever lie in a court of law?

No I didn’t. Hope I will never have to lie in a court of law.

(4) Do you think you could lie and beat a lie detection test?

No I don’t. It’s very difficult to beat a lie detection test. 

(5) Someone once said there are ‘lies, damned lies and statistics.’ What do you think of this?

I think it’s true. Statistics can be so deceptive sometimes.

(6) What would you do if someone spread lies about you?

I would try to prevent it of course. It’s a bad thing when someone spreads lies about you.

(7) Have you ever cheated on or lied to a partner?

Of course not. I haven’t.

(8) Do you feel guilty when you tell a lie?

It depends. I’m always trying to say the truth of course. If I lie, this is mostly a white lie. So I’m not feeling guilty for that.

(9) Have you ever been found out when telling a lie?

Yeah it used to happen of course, but it was some funny situations. Nothing serious.