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Quizzes > General Knowledge & Mixed

Fact or Fiction Questions: Separate Truth from Myth

Quick myth or fact quiz to test your knowledge across topics. Instant results.

Editorial: Review CompletedCreated By: Michelle HattonUpdated Aug 27, 2025
Difficulty: Moderate
2-5mins
Learning OutcomesCheat Sheet
Paper art question mark and book float on dark blue background with fact or fiction quiz theme

This fact or fiction questions quiz helps you tell truth from myth across history, science, and pop culture in a few minutes. Sharpen your judgment with quick rounds, then explore a true or false quiz, try a fact or fiction game, or tackle a real or fake quiz.

The Great Wall of China is visible to the naked eye from space.
Fiction
Fact
Not Enough Evidence
Partially True
Despite popular belief, the Great Wall is generally not visible to the naked eye from space; it blends with the surrounding terrain. It can sometimes be seen from low Earth orbit under specific lighting conditions with aid. Astronauts have confirmed this distinction. .
Humans use only 10% of their brain capacity.
Fiction
Fact
Not Enough Evidence
Partially True
Neuroscientific research shows that virtually all parts of the brain have known functions and are active over a 24-hour period. The 10% myth is an oversimplification that persists in popular culture. Brain imaging demonstrates widespread neural activity even during rest. .
Goldfish have a memory span of only three seconds.
Fact
Not Enough Evidence
Partially True
Fiction
Studies have shown goldfish can remember things for months, not seconds; they can be trained to navigate mazes and respond to signals. The three-second memory myth misrepresents fish cognition. Experiments demonstrate associative learning lasting weeks. .
Lightning never strikes the same place twice.
Not Enough Evidence
Fact
Partially True
Fiction
Lightning can and does strike the same place multiple times, especially tall structures and isolated objects. The Empire State Building, for example, is hit dozens of times per year. The idea that lightning avoids places it has struck is unfounded. .
An adult human has 206 bones in their body.
Not Enough Evidence
Fiction
Partially True
Fact
The standard adult human skeleton consists of 206 bones, although some individuals may have extra bones called sesamoids. Infants have more bones that fuse during growth to reach the adult count. This number is widely accepted in anatomy. .
The tongue has distinct zones for tasting sweet, sour, salty, and bitter.
Not Enough Evidence
Fiction
Partially True
Fact
Modern research shows that all taste qualities can be detected across the tongue, though sensitivity varies slightly by region. The classic 'taste map' is a misinterpretation of older data. Taste buds for each flavor type are distributed widely. .
Ostriches bury their heads in the sand when they are frightened.
Fiction
Fact
Not Enough Evidence
Partially True
Ostriches do not bury their heads in the sand; they may lower them to the ground to avoid detection when threatened. The myth likely arose from misinterpretation of this behavior. They rely on flight first, and only lie flat if escape fails. .
Sound travels faster in water than in air.
Fact
Partially True
Not Enough Evidence
Fiction
Sound waves move approximately 1,480 meters per second in water, compared to about 343 meters per second in air at sea level. The higher density and elasticity of water speed up wave propagation. This principle is used in sonar technology. .
The boiling point of water decreases at higher altitudes.
Fact
Fiction
Not Enough Evidence
Partially True
At higher altitudes, atmospheric pressure is lower, so water molecules require less energy to vaporize, lowering the boiling point. For example, at 2,000 meters elevation, water boils around 93°C. This is important for cooking adjustments in mountains. .
Diamond is the hardest natural substance known.
Not Enough Evidence
Fact
Partially True
Fiction
On the Mohs hardness scale, diamond ranks at the top with a hardness of 10. This makes it exceptionally resistant to scratching by other materials. While certain synthetic materials can exceed diamond in specific hardness tests, natural diamond remains the hardest known mineral. .
The Coriolis effect determines the direction water drains in a bathtub or sink.
Fiction
Partially True
Fact
Not Enough Evidence
The Coriolis effect influences large-scale phenomena like hurricanes, not small containers like sinks. Drain direction in a sink is governed by the basin shape, water motion, and drain placement. The myth overstates the force's scale. .
The venom of the black mamba is more potent than that of the cobra.
Not Enough Evidence
Partially True
Fiction
Fact
Black mamba venom is highly neurotoxic and among the most potent of all snakes, often considered deadlier than many cobra species. LD50 values indicate black mamba venom is stronger by volume. However, venom yield and delivery methods also affect danger. .
Albert Einstein failed math in school.
Fact
Partially True
Not Enough Evidence
Fiction
Einstein excelled in mathematics from a young age and mastered algebra and Euclidean geometry by age 12. The myth stems from a misunderstanding of German grading scales. His academic records show consistently high marks in math. .
Electrons are smaller than atoms.
Fact
Fiction
Not Enough Evidence
Partially True
Atoms consist of a nucleus surrounded by electrons; the nucleus contains protons and neutrons. Electrons are subatomic particles much smaller in mass and effectively point-like in size compared to the atom's overall structure. Electron radius is negligible compared to atomic radii. .
The Sun will eventually become a neutron star after its red giant phase.
Fact
Fiction
Partially True
Not Enough Evidence
The Sun lacks sufficient mass to end its life as a neutron star; instead, it will shed its outer layers and become a white dwarf. Only stars with masses above about 8 times that of the Sun can become neutron stars. Our Sun's final stage is a cooling, dense white dwarf. .
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Study Outcomes

  1. Analyze fact or fiction statements -

    Apply logical reasoning to determine if common assertions are factual truths or popular myths.

  2. Distinguish fact from myth -

    Identify and separate widely held myths from evidence-based facts using quiz insights.

  3. Evaluate credibility of claims -

    Assess the reliability of sources and evidence supporting truth or fiction questions in the quiz.

  4. Apply critical thinking techniques -

    Utilize strategies like source evaluation and skepticism to challenge assumptions.

  5. Recall surprising truths -

    Remember unexpected facts uncovered during the myth quiz to sharpen your knowledge.

Cheat Sheet

  1. Confirmation Bias Awareness -

    Understanding confirmation bias helps you see why people tend to accept facts that match their beliefs and dismiss conflicting evidence. Actively seek out opposing viewpoints - e.g., if you believe a health myth, look for peer-reviewed studies that debunk it. This practice builds critical thinking and sharpens your truth-or-fiction radar.

  2. CRAAP Test for Source Evaluation -

    Use the CRAAP mnemonic - Currency, Relevance, Authority, Accuracy, Purpose - to assess any source's reliability (Meriam Library, CSU). For example, a 2023 WHO report (Currency) by certified epidemiologists (Authority) scores high. Applying CRAAP guarantees you distinguish fact vs myth with confidence.

  3. Leveraging Fact-Checking Websites -

    Websites like Snopes.com and FactCheck.org are backed by journalism and academic partnerships, offering vetted verdicts on viral claims. Before accepting "fact or fiction questions," cross-reference at least two reputable platforms. This habit turns myth quizzes into learning opportunities.

  4. Correlation vs. Causation Distinction -

    Remember "Correlation ≠ Causation" - just because two variables move together (e.g., ice cream sales and drowning incidents) doesn't mean one causes the other. Look for controlled studies or randomized trials to confirm causal links (American Statistical Association guidelines). Spotting this pitfall protects you from misleading fact-or-myth traps.

  5. Basic Statistical Literacy -

    Grasp key metrics like mean, median, and margin of error to interpret survey-based claims accurately (Pew Research Center). For instance, a +/-3% margin of error in a poll of 1,000 people reveals the potential data spread. Solid stats skills empower you to separate truth from myth in quiz statements.

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