Conspiracy theories

1. Discussion
What conspiracy theories have you heard about the pandemic? Discuss with a partner. Use the
ideas below to help you.

the origin cures 5G networks

bioweapons masks vaccines

2. Reading
Read the blog post on the next page quickly and silently. Underline the main message in the
blog. Read the blog post again, this time in detail. Complete the chart in your own words.

Theory General consequence Details of a victim

What happened as a result? Who was it and what happened?

The virus started in China so People have …

Asian people are responsible.

People have attacked 5G

engineers.

The US government created the

virus in a lab and took it to
China.

Discuss the following questions:

1. Who do you feel most sorry for in the blog? Why?
2. How can you be more responsible when you post online? Suggest four actions you can take.
3. What do you think social media companies can do about the false rumours and incorrect theories?

3. Vocabulary
Describe or invent stories to match these headlines. Use the new vocabulary.
Eating habits criticised after a false video goes viral about bat soup causing the pandemic.
Actor's father dies of Covid-19 after refusing to wear a mask. Actor blames theorists for mask rumours.

4. Poem
Write an acrostic poem about conspiracy theories. Start each line with a letter from: CONSPIRACY.

www.teachingenglish.org.uk
© British Council 2020 The United Kingdom’s international organisation for educational opportunities and cultural relations. We are registered in England as a charity.
 Blog post

The dangers of spreading conspiracy theories

There’s one question we’d all like to know! Where did this virus come from?

In early 2020, most people believed that the virus spread from bats to food to humans (in a
Wuhan market). It made sense because animals have passed other diseases to humans, like
Ebola and HIV/AIDS, which came from gorillas and chimpanzees.

Soon other theories were promoted on the internet, however. For example, the virus was created in
order to cause harm. According to one popular theory, the Chinese government created it in a lab in
Wuhan; others claim that the US government took it there secretly.

A popular theory concerns 5G networks. Because Wuhan installed 5G towers just before the pandemic,
these networks are considered to be the cause. Some anti-vaxxers claim that Covid-19 vaccines will
contain a 5G microchip to control your brain. And according to a video that went viral, some masks have
a 5G antenna.

Some theories might seem crazy, but they’re dangerous. Spreading theories for which we have
little evidence can cause serious harm to others.

In 2020, a young Singaporean-Chinese man studying at a London university was badly attacked when he
walked past a group of people one day. They began shouting abuse and hitting him, breaking bones in his
face. He’s just one of many Asian people blamed for the virus (including many who aren’t even Chinese).

Similarly, the 5G theory has had consequences. Some people who have fallen for this theory have set
fire to mobile phone towers and attacked 5G engineers. Michael, a British (non-5G) telecoms engineer,
was recently spat on by an angry crowd and had to spend a week in self-quarantine.

A woman from the US is the victim of another conspiracy. Ms Benassi, a US Army Reservist and cyclist
is accused of being ‘patient zero’, the first person to have the virus. It’s said she took it to China when
she visited Wuhan for a cycling competition in 2019. Thanks to this conspiracy theory (started by US
conspiracy theorist George Webb, who says he ‘heard’ it from someone), she receives death threats
every day. ‘It’s like waking up from a bad dream going into a nightmare day after day,’ she said on TV
about her life today.

Perhaps, like many humans, you also fear the virus? It’s normal to feel that way because it threatens
you and your loved ones. But be responsible, because your posts could harm other people by accident.

www.teachingenglish.org.uk
© British Council 2020 The United Kingdom’s international organisation for educational opportunities and cultural relations. We are registered in England as a charity.