1. Discuss whether the title of the article is appropriate and provide reasons. (8 marks
The title of the article, "A Pandemic of Misinformation," is appropriate for several reasons:
1. Relevance: The title directly relates to the content of the article, which explores the spread of
misinformation about COVID-19 online.
2. Accurateness: The article indeed discusses how false information about the pandemic spreads
quickly online, making the title an accurate representation of the topic.
3. Emphasis: The title highlights the severity of the issue, using the word "pandemic" to emphasize
the widespread nature of misinformation.
4. Context: The article was published in 2020, during the height of the COVID-19 pandemic, making
the title timely and relevant to the current events at the time.
Overall, the title effectively captures the essence of the article and prepares the reader for a
discussion on the dangers of misinformation during a critical time.
2. What is the purpose of the passage? (4 marks)
The purpose of the passage is to:
1. Inform: Educate readers about the spread of misinformation online, specifically regarding COVID-
19.
2. Explain: Provide insights into why people share false information and how it can be addressed.
3. Persuade: Encourage readers to be more discerning when sharing online content and support
efforts to combat misinformation.
4. Raise awareness: Highlight the importance of critical thinking and fact-checking in the digital age.
The passage aims to engage readers in a critical discussion about the impact of misinformation and
inspire more responsible online behaviour.
3. Provide the main idea in each of the following paragraphs:
Here are the main ideas for each paragraph:
3.1 Paragraph 2:
Main idea: People are more likely to share false information online when they are emotional, and
this has contributed to the rapid spread of misinformation about COVID-19.
3.2 Paragraph 6:
Main idea: The study found that people who are more discerning and have a higher level of scientific
knowledge are less likely to share false information, and that prompting people to think critically can
reduce the sharing of false headlines.
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