IC3 - Digital Literacy Certification Digital Literacy Information and Media Literacy 1

Question 1

What distinguishes misinformation from disinformation?

Accepted Answer

Misinformation is false information spread without intent to deceive, while disinformation is false information spread deliberately

Answer

The key distinction is intent: misinformation is inaccurate content shared by someone who believes it to be true, while disinformation is deliberately crafted and spread to deceive or manipulate audiences.

Question 2

What is 'lateral reading' as a fact-checking strategy?

Accepted Answer

Opening new browser tabs to check what other sources say about a website or claim before reading it deeply

Answer

Lateral reading means leaving a site and opening multiple tabs to see what independent, credible sources say about it or its claims — a technique used by professional fact-checkers to quickly assess credibility without getting drawn into potentially biased content.

Question 3

Which of the following is the most reliable indicator that a website is a credible source of information?

Accepted Answer

The content cites verifiable sources and clearly identifies its authors and their credentials

Answer

Credible sources identify their authors with verifiable credentials and support claims with cited, checkable references. Domain type and design can be mimicked by anyone, and search ranking reflects SEO, not accuracy.

Question 4

What is 'astroturfing' in the context of online media?

Accepted Answer

Creating the false impression of widespread grassroots public support for a position, often orchestrated by a hidden organization

Answer

Astroturfing creates the illusion of organic, grassroots support when the activity is actually coordinated and funded by a concealed group — mimicking real public opinion to manipulate perception.

Question 5

Why is it important to check the publication date when evaluating an online article?

Accepted Answer

Information can become outdated, and an old article may no longer reflect the current state of knowledge or events

Answer

Facts, statistics, laws, and scientific understanding change over time. An article that was accurate when written may now be misleading because newer data, events, or research have superseded it.

IC3 - Digital Literacy Certification Practice Test

IC3 - Digital Literacy Certification Practice Test

IC3 - Digital Literacy Certification Digital Literacy Information and Media Literacy 1