Britain's most popular lie has been disclosed, with one in four people admitting using “sorry I had no signal" when returning a missed mobile phone call, a survey found.
Researchers found the average Briton tells on average four lies every day or almost 1500 every year. Almost one in six men admitted they were most likely to lie to their wife or girlfriend, on average at least twice a day. The most popular lie was saying you had no mobile phone signal, with one in four people admitting regularly using the little white lie. It usually came after they hit the “ignore" button when their mobile rang.
Three quarters of people think women are better liars. The research found 46 per cent of girls have been caught lying, compared to 58 of men.
The second most common fib（无关紧要的谎言） is “I haven't got any cash on me” when asked for money by tramps (流浪者), beggars and Big Issue sellers. “Nothing's wrong – I'm fine” came third followed by “You look lovely” and “Nice to see you”.
Modern technology turned out to have contributed to many lies with “I didn't get your text” in 18th, “Our server was down” in 20th and “My battery died” in 26th place.
Other lies to make the top ten included “I'll give you a ring”, “We're just good friends” and “We'll have to meet up soon”. “I'm on my way” and “No, your bum doesn't look big in that” completed the top ten.
Men tell the most fibs, coming out with five every day compared to women who lie just three times.
In many cases perhaps it is better to flatter with a fib than destroy someone with the truth, according to a spokesman for OnePoll, which carried out the research of 4,300 adults.
66. Whether the person being called has pushed the “ignore” button or ______, the calle
r at the other end hears the same tone.
A. really has no signal B. can’t get the text
C. has a battery failure D. answers the call
67. Most people think women are better liars because ______.
A. there’re more women liars B. fewer women liars are found out
C. women tell less harmful lies D. women are harder to convince
68. “Our server was down” is perhaps a lie told as an excuse for not ______.
A. inviting a friend to dinner B. responding to an e-mail
C. coming to a party on time D. cleaning one’s room
69. “You look lovely” and “I’m on my way” rank _____ on the popular-lie list.
A. 3rd and 8th B. 5th and 10th C. 4th and 9th D. 5th and 12th
70. The OnePoll spokesman seems to think it’s ______ for the British to lie so much.
A. puzzling B. disgusting C. impossible D. reasonable
