Year 9 Science · Unit 4 · Lesson 7
Apply Worksheet
Learning Goals
True or False? Fix the false ones
Circle T or F for each statement. If the statement is false, rewrite it correctly on the line below.
A testimonial is one person's story and is not evidence from a fair trial.
Correct it:
"Clinically proven" guarantees a real study exists, even when none is named.
Correct it:
A study funded by the company selling the product is fully independent.
Correct it:
Cross-checking a claim against the CSIRO or Choice is a useful fact-checking step.
Correct it:
Scenario
A social media influencer posts: "I started taking these all-natural slimming gummies and lost 6 kg in two weeks, ancient herbal secret, clinically proven, the diet industry doesn't want you to know! Use my code for 20% off." Many followers comment that they want to buy them.
(a) Identify three separate red flags in this post and name each one.
(b) The influencer is paid (a discount code) when people buy. Explain why this matters when judging whether to trust the post.
(c) Describe two steps you would take to fact-check whether the gummies actually work.
1. Explain the difference between persuasion and evidence. Use one example of each from an advert you might see.
2. A "detox foot patch" advert says it "draws toxins out through your feet while you sleep". Explain why the word "toxins" here is a red flag, and what real evidence would look like.
Wrap Up
In one sentence, what was the main idea of this lesson?