Two Truths, One Lie

This page is part of a publication called Number One ESL Discussion Book & Reference Guide.


Instructions: This set works best in small groups where each student gets at least three or four items. They then have a few minutes to prepare THREE statements regarding each topic. TWO statement should be TRUE; one statement should be FALSE – hence the name “Two Truths, One Lie”. Other students should then ask questions to identify the false statement.

The goal is for the student who is making the statements to make it as difficult as possible for the other students to guess the false statement. For example, for the statement, “Three cities you have never visited,” a student could mention two cities in other countries – one of which they have never visited, the other one of which they have visited (which would be the false statement), and then surprise other students by mentioning a third city in their own country that others would assume they have visited but which they have actually never visited.

Example for a student in Korea: “I have never visited London, New York, or Busan.” Since Busan is a major city in Korea, most Korean students would assume their classmate is making true statements about never having been to London or New York, but making a false statement about never having visited Busan. In fact, the student has never visited the city, and the one they are “lying” about is London, which they had indeed visited the previous year.

For added difficulty and possibly more fun, put a limit on the time students have to come up with three statements.

Remember: The point of this exercise is for students to practice vocabulary as well as the asking and answering of questions.

1. Describe three of your hobbies

2. Three kinds of music you like

3. Three places where you would like to have a romantic dinner

4. Three things you do at work

5. Your three favorite dishes

6. Your top three goals

7. Three dreams you have for the future

8. Three types of restaurants you like to go to

9. Three things you can make in the kitchen

10. Three bad money habits you have

11. Three things you do when you go shopping

12. Three sports you like to play

13. Three shows you often watch on TV

14. Three reasons _____ is your favorite season

15. Your three favorite animals

16. Three of your good health habits

17. Your three favorite ways to travel in the city

18. Your three favorite holiday memories

19. Your three favorite colors

20. Three reasons you wanted to learn English

21. Three things you would create if you were an artist

22. Your three favorite outdoors adventures

23. Three good eating habits

24. Say three things about your family

25. Describe three of your childhood friends

26. Your three favorite cities

27. Your three favorite types of fast food

28. Three things you like to do in your free time

29. Describe your three best friends

30. Three things you believe will happen in the future

31. Your three favorite pieces of clothing

32. Three things you hate

33. Three previous jobs you have had

34. Three languages you would like to learn

35. The three easiest things about learning English

36. Three good habits you have

37. Three things you love

38. Three luxury items you currently own

39. Three reasons you wanted/want to get married

40. Your three favorite memories from last year

41. Three pieces of dating advice you would give a friend

42. Three things you could do as a child you can’t do now

43. Say three things about your personality

44. Name three traditional remedies you believe in

45. Describe three of your neighbors

46. Name three things you have failed at

47. Your three favorite pieces of technology

48. Your three favorite travel experiences

49. Three wishes you would make for your best friend

50. Three things you want for your birthday

51. Your gaming habits

52. Your social media habits

53. Three things about where you grew up

54. Three places where you have lived – or stayed for at least a week

55. Your current house or apartment

56. Your three favorite singers

57. Three famous people you would like to meet

58. Three things you like about your job

59. Three dishes you like to cook

60. Three things you can easily fix

61. Three goals you have already achieved

62. Your three dream jobs

63. Your three favorite beverages

64. Three things you never do when you go shopping

65. Three good money habits you have

66. Three electronic devices you own

67. Three animals you would like as pets

68. Your three favorite holiday destinations

69. Your three favorite places in the city

70. Three sports you like to watch

71. Three things you would buy if you had a million dollars

72. Three reasons your love your city

73. Three cities you have never visited

74. You are buying three shirts. Which colors do you choose?

75. Three of your bad health habits

76. Say three things about your neighborhood

77. Three things you hate to do in your free time

78. Three things that happened to you in the last year

79. The three most difficult things about learning English

80. Three bad eating habits

81. Three bad habits you have

82. Three things you hate about going to the movies

83. Three gifts you have received for your birthday

84. Three luxury items you will buy if you have enough money

85. Three things you love about going to the movies

86. Three things you can do on a weekend you can’t do during the week

87. Say three things about your spouse or partner’s personality

88. Three of your cell phone habits

89. Your dream house or apartment

90. Describe three of your family members


Number One ESL Discussion Book & Reference Guide: CONTENTS

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