• Quick retrieval from earlier learning (Spotting misleading statistics and graphs; Word choice that reveals a writer's attitude). Students answer on mini whiteboards.
• Show answers together and note who needs support in the main task.

1. Is the proposed answer correct? "9 out of 10 users loved our app!" The survey asked 10 people. What's the main problem? → the sample is far too small to generalise (yes, it is correct / no, it is not correct) → yes, it is correctPrompt: Ask: how many people or cases is this based on, and who was asked?
2. Is the proposed answer correct? The writer is critical of the crowd: "A ___ gathered outside the stadium." → mob (yes, it is correct / no, it is not correct) → yes, it is correctPrompt: Decide whether the writer's attitude is positive or negative.
3. Read the question and choose. "The average salary at our company is £60,000!" But the boss earns £1 million and most staff earn £25,000. What's misleading? (the boss's salary is illegal / one huge value pulls the mean up, so it doesn't show a typical salary / £60,000 is too low / averages are always accurate) → one huge value pulls the mean up, so it doesn't show a typical salaryPrompt: Ask: how many people or cases is this based on, and who was asked?

• Read the first lines of a short text aloud and ask what students predict will happen and why.
• Share the objective: Bias and loaded language in reporting. Read the success criteria together.

• Work through the example out loud, saying why you do each step, not just what you do.
• Example: Read the question and choose. "The so-called expert claimed the river was safe." What does 'so-called' do?
• Step 1: Bias can hide in loaded words, one-sided selection of sources, omission and framing; neutral reporting describes without judging.
• Step 2: 'So-called' mocks or undermines.
• Step 3: So the answer is: it suggests the writer doubts the person's expertise
• Answer: it suggests the writer doubts the person's expertise
• Pause after each step and ask a student to say what comes next.

• Do these together. Students try each step on whiteboards before you reveal it.
• Use the hints as prompts rather than giving the answer.

1. Is the proposed answer correct? Which headline is the most NEUTRAL? → Council approves new housing plan by 6 votes to 4 (yes, it is correct / no, it is not correct) → yes, it is correctPrompt: Look for words that judge rather than describe.
2. Read the question and choose. "Officials ADMITTED that the project was over budget." How does 'admitted' differ from 'said'? (it suggests a joke / it suggests pride / it suggests reluctance or wrongdoing / it is exactly the same) → it suggests reluctance or wrongdoingPrompt: Look for words that judge rather than describe.

• Students work on the student sheet. Circulate and check the first two answers of every student early.
• Students who finish: write a question of their own for a partner, with the answer.

The 6 questions are on the student sheet below, with answers in the key.

• Two questions on their own. Sort answers into got it / nearly / not yet to plan the next lesson.

1. Read the question and choose. "Officials ADMITTED that the project was over budget." How does 'admitted' differ from 'said'? (it suggests pride / it suggests reluctance or wrongdoing / it suggests a joke / it is exactly the same) → it suggests reluctance or wrongdoingPrompt: Look for words that judge rather than describe.
2. Is the proposed answer correct? Which rewrite of "The greedy landlord hiked the rent" is most neutral? → The landlord, as usual, cashed in. (yes, it is correct / no, it is not correct) → no, it is not correctPrompt: Look for words that judge rather than describe.

Free online practice with hints and printable worksheets for this skill: eurekami.com/english/grade-10.