Should We Leave Anonymous Reviews Online?
Exercise 1
Vocabulary
Repeat each word, definition, and example sentence after your tutor.
admit
Verb
ədˈmɪt
to say that something is true or the case
My brother admitted that he ate my cake.
review
Noun
rɪˈvjuː
a report in which someone shares their opinion of something
He left a negative review on the website.
controversy
Noun
ˈkɑːntrəˌvərsiː
public discussion or disagreement about someone or something
The band's first album created a lot of controversy when it was released.
criticize
Verb
ˈkrɪtɪˌsaɪz
to say that one dislikes, disagrees with, or disapproves of something
My mother-in-law always criticizes how I parent my kids and tells me what she thinks I'm doing wrong.
anonymous
Adjective
əˈnɑːnəməs
not known or identified by name
For three years after she published "Frankenstein," Mary Shelley chose to remain anonymous.
complain
Verb
kəmˈpleɪn
to say that one is unhappy with or annoyed by someone or something
My friend is constantly complaining about her boyfriend.
Exercise 2
Article
Read the article aloud on your own or repeat each paragraph after your tutor.
Should We Leave Anonymous Reviews Online?
Famous people often use fake names when they're booking hotels or restaurants, so not everyone knows they're coming.
But Stranger Things star Millie Bobby Brown has admitted she also uses a fake name to write reviews online when she wants to complain about a shop, a restaurant or a hotel.
And this news has created a lot of controversy.
In a podcast hosted by British singer Jessie Ware and her mother Lennie, Brown said she thinks it's important to be honest if something isn't as good as it should be.
She added: "My whole life is people criticizing me," so she doesn't have a problem in sharing some criticism of her own.
But some people on social media said it isn't right for a rich Hollywood star to be criticizing low-paid workers who could even lose their jobs because of the reviews.
One said: "Maybe if you had to work a real job you would understand," while some were angry with the 20-year-old.
Others didn't see any problem with it, saying: "She just left negative reviews for poor experiences she had." That's the whole point of review websites, added the user.
Some people don't think that any of us should be leaving anonymous reviews.
In fact, business owners often say they prefer to hear criticism at the time, so that they can make things better for a customer.
However, not all of us feel comfortable complaining to staff. Surveys have found that many people don't complain when there's a problem with their food, for example.
If you want to complain online, Becky Foley from review site Tripadvisor says to criticize the place but don't make personal attacks.
Questions
Answer the following questions about the article.
1.
Who hosted the podcast Millie Bobby Brown was a guest on?
Answer
"In a podcast hosted by British singer Jessie Ware and her mother Lennie, Brown said she thinks it's important to be honest if something isn't as good as it should be."
2.
How old is Brown?
Answer
"One said: "Maybe if you had to work a real job you would understand," while some were angry with the 20-year-old."
3.
What does Becky Foley advise when leaving negative reviews online?
Answer
"If you want to complain online, Becky Foley from review site Tripadvisor says to criticize the place but don't make personal attacks."
4.
What are your thoughts on leaving anonymous reviews online?
5.
Do you ever leave online reviews?
6.
Are you comfortable complaining to restaurant staff?
7.
Do you check reviews before choosing a restaurant?
8.
Are you less likely to trust a review if it's written anonymously?