A harrowing competition is underway in England, with billions of dollars and hundreds of lives at risk. OK, that’s not true. But competitors from around the world gathered on Thursday for the annual competition to crown the world’s biggest liar.
Each participant is given up to five minutes to make up the best fib in the contest, which was founded in honor of 19th-century Bridge Inn landlord Will Ritson, who was reportedly legendary for his lies.
Competitors gather at the Bridge Inn every year for the competition, a small pub in northwestern England.
Anyone can take part in the competition. Well, almost anyway; the reporters note that lawyers and politicians are banned, citing “an unfair advantage” in the proceedings.
A study published this past July in the journal Evolution & Human Behavior found that nearly all lies are detectable through visible facial muscle reactions in the person telling a lie. “Thus, while interpersonal deception often is highly successful, signs of hidden emotional states are communicated clearly to the informed observer, ” the study concluded.
A bishop of Carlisle reportedly holds what may be the greatest lie of all time in the competition, simply stating, “I have never told a lie in my life. ”
In 2003, Abrie Krueger of South Africa became the first non-Brit to win the competition. Ironically, Krueger was accused by some of cheating.
In 2006, comedian Sue Perkins became the first female to win the competition, telling a tale about people riding camels to work as a result of climate change.
Last year’s winning entry came from Glen Boyland, who told a lie about competing in a snail-racing competition with Prince Charles. (274W)
1. Why does the author tell a lie at the beginning of the passage?
A. Because the author likes telling lies.
B. Because nearly everyone has told lies.
C. It is written in this way in order to introduce the annual competition to crown the world’s biggest liar.
D. Because lies can usually be detected through visible facial muscle reactions.
2. What does the underlined word “fib” in Paragraph 2 probably mean?
A. lie B. story C. experience D. plot
3. According to the passage, which groups can’t take part in the competition?
A. doctors and teachers B. reporters and editors
C. students and managers D. lawyers and politicians
4. Which of the following statements is TRUE according to the passage?
A. Each participant is given at least five minutes in the competition.
B. The competition is held at the Bridge Inn every year in honor of Will Ritson.
C. All the lies can be discovered through visible facial muscle reactions.
D. Glen Boyland competed in a snail-racing competition with Prince Charles.
5. What’s the purpose of this text?
A. To introduce a strange competition.
B. To explain how to detect the liars.
C. To discuss how to avoid telling lies.
D. To invite people to take part in the competition.