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Quizzes > General Knowledge & Mixed > Mixed Topic

Take the Fake or Real Quiz - Spot Fact vs Fiction

Ready to tackle this real or fake game? Dive in and test your skills!

Difficulty: Moderate
2-5mins
Learning OutcomesCheat Sheet
Paper cut illustration of question marks check marks and crosses over book icons for fact vs fiction quiz on teal background

This fake or real quiz helps you spot fact from fiction in fast, bite-size statements. Play to sharpen your gut and have fun while learning a few odd facts. You'll also meet some surprising fun facts that may stump you.

The Great Wall of China is visible from the Moon with the naked eye.
True
False
Despite a popular myth, the Great Wall of China is not visible from the Moon without aid. It is too narrow and matches the color of the surrounding terrain, making it indistinguishable to the naked eye. Astronauts have confirmed it's barely visible from low Earth orbit under perfect conditions.
Bats are blind and rely solely on echolocation to navigate.
False
True
The phrase blind as a bat is misleadingbats have functional eyes and can see. They use echolocation in addition to vision, especially in complete darkness. Their eyesight complements their sonar for hunting insects.
Humans use only 10% of their brains.
True
False
The 10% brain myth is unfoundedneuroimaging shows activity across the entire brain over a day. Almost every region has a known function, from motor control to emotion. Theres no scientific evidence that 90% of the brain is inactive.
Which location is the largest desert in the world?
Sahara Desert
Antarctic Desert
Arctic Desert
Gobi Desert
A desert is defined by low precipitation, not sand. Antarctica qualifies as the largest desert, covering about 5.5 million square miles. The cold dry climate prevents significant snowfall.
The idea that people swallow an average of eight spiders a year in their sleep is true.
True
Only if homes are infested
Only in damp climates
False
This spiderswallowing claim is an urban legend with no evidence. Spiders typically avoid humans, and theres no documented case of a spider crawling into a sleeping persons mouth. The myth likely persists because its unsettling.
Drinking coffee stunts your growth.
Yes, it stunts growth
Only when consumed before age 12
It enhances bone density
No effect on growth
Theres no scientific evidence linking coffee consumption to stunted growth. Studies show caffeine has negligible impact on bone development at normal intake levels. Growth is largely influenced by genetics and nutrition.
Goldfish have a memory span of just three seconds.
About 24 hours
Three seconds
Several months
Indefinite
Goldfish can learn and remember tasks for months, not just seconds. Experiments show they can be trained to respond to signals and retain that learning over time. Their cognitive abilities are far greater than the myth suggests.
Bulls become enraged by the color red in bullfighting.
Theyre attracted by the smell of the cape
Yes, red angers them
No, theyre colorblind to red
They react to motion, not color
Bulls are redgreen colorblind and react to the movement of the matadors cape rather than its color. The capes motion provokes their charge, not its hue. This myth persists from traditional bullfighting imagery.
Which of the following signs can indicate a deepfake video?
Embedded watermark
Perfect lip-speech synchronization
Unnatural, inconsistent blinking
High video file size
Deepfake algorithms often miss subtle facial cues like natural blinking patterns. Inconsistent or unnatural blinking is a common giveaway. Perfect lip sync or large file sizes dont reliably distinguish real footage.
The 'Blue Whale Challenge' online game encouraging self-harm was proven to exist as described.
It only occurred in Russia
It was a moral panic with no evidence
It targeted only teenagers
It was entirely real
Investigations found no evidence that the so-called Blue Whale Challenge existed as a coordinated self-harm game. It emerged as a media-fueled moral panic rather than a verifiable online phenomenon.
Which vaccine was incorrectly linked to autism, fuelling a major public health scare?
Polio vaccine
COVID-19 vaccine
Influenza vaccine
MMR vaccine for measles, mumps, and rubella
A now-retracted study falsely associated the MMR vaccine with autism, triggering widespread fear. Extensive research since has found no causal link between MMR and autism. Public health experts emphasize vaccines safety.
The Japanese word sushi refers specifically to raw fish.
It means fresh
Only outside Japan
False
True
Sushi actually refers to seasoned rice, not the raw fish often served with it. The raw fish component is called sashimi. This linguistic distinction is often lost outside Japan.
Which ancient civilization is credited with inventing the concept of zero as a number?
Ancient Greece
Babylonia
India
Mayan civilization
Mathematicians in India formalized zero as a number by the 5th century AD. Their concept spread through the Arab world to Europe. Earlier placeholders existed, but Indias zero was the first true numeral.
What is the longest word for a phobia, describing the fear of long words?
Hippopotomonstrosesquipedaliophobia
Sesquipedalophobia
Macrochirotophobia
Orthorexophobia
Hippopotomonstrosesquipedaliophobia is humorously coined to mean fear of long words, ironically being one of the longest words itself. Its largely a novelty term rather than a clinically recognized phobia.
Humans are traditionally said to have five senses; which one of these is NOT one of them?
Touch
Smell
Equilibrium (balance)
Taste
Beyond sight, hearing, taste, smell, and touch, we have other senses like proprioception and equilibrium. Balance is controlled by the vestibular system in the inner ear, not part of the classic five. Modern science recognizes more than five senses.
The recommendation to drink eight glasses of water daily has a solid scientific basis.
False
True
Only for athletes
Only in hot climates
The 88 rule is more guideline than sciencefluid needs vary by body, diet, and activity. Theres no universal requirement for exactly eight glasses. Drinking according to thirst is generally sufficient.
Bananas are significantly radioactive and pose a health risk if consumed frequently.
Only banana peels are radioactive
They power small batteries
True
False
Bananas contain potassium-40, a naturally occurring radioactive isotope, but the level is extremely low. Youd need to eat millions of bananas at once to get a harmful radiation dose. They pose no health risk.
Albert Einstein failed mathematics as a student.
False
True
Einstein excelled in mathematics from a young age; by 12 he had mastered algebra and Euclidean geometry. The myth of his math failure likely arose from misinterpretations of grading scales. He did, however, fail an entrance exam that included non-math sections.
Napoleon Bonaparte was exceptionally short for his time.
His height is unknown
Over 6'0" (183 cm)
Around 5'0" (152 cm)
Around 5'6" (168 cm)
Napoleons height was about 5'6" by French measurements of his era, which was average, not unusually short. The myth of his short stature may stem from British propaganda and differences in measurement units.
Vikings traditionally wore horned helmets into battle.
True
False
Archaeological evidence shows Vikings did not wear horned helmets in battle; this image originates from 19th-century Romantic art. Real Viking helmets were conical and practical for combat.
The famous 'Surgeon's Photograph' of the Loch Ness Monster is an authentic photograph of a real creature.
True
False
The 1934 'Surgeons Photograph' was revealed as a hoax in the 1990s, showing a simple toy submarine and mannequin. It has no credibility as evidence of a creature in Loch Ness.
Which hypothetical concept describes a self-aware brain that randomly forms in a sea of particles?
Schrdinger's Cat
Laplace's Demon
Maxwell's Demon
Boltzmann Brain
The Boltzmann Brain is a thought experiment proposing that random fluctuations could create a self-aware entity in a thermodynamic system. It challenges interpretations of cosmology and entropy.
Goldfish will grow to the size of their tank.
Only if overfed
True
False
Only in heated tanks
Goldfish size is determined by genetics, not tank size. Poor water quality in small tanks can stunt growth but also shorten lifespan. Given proper care and genetics, they reach their species typical size.
Dark chocolate contains about the same amount of caffeine as a cup of coffee.
True
Only if its 100% cacao
False
Only in white chocolate
Dark chocolate has some caffeine but far less than a typical cup of coffee. A 1-ounce serving of dark chocolate contains about 12 mg of caffeine versus 95 mg in an 8-ounce coffee. They are not comparable.
The U.S. Navy conducted the 'Philadelphia Experiment' in 1943, making the USS Eldridge invisible to radar and the naked eye.
True
False
The Philadelphia Experiment story is a well-known naval urban legend with no credible evidence. The Navy has denied any such experiment, and investigations have found it to be fiction. It remains a modern myth.
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Study Outcomes

  1. Distinguish Fact from Fiction -

    Accurately identify real versus fake images and statements in this fake or real quiz, mastering the art of separating truth from trickery.

  2. Analyze Visual and Textual Clues -

    Examine visual and textual cues in the real or fake game to uncover subtle indicators of authenticity and deception.

  3. Apply Critical Thinking Strategies -

    Use logic and reasoning techniques learned in the quiz to systematically judge the validity of each statement or image.

  4. Evaluate Source Credibility -

    Assess the reliability of information sources featured in the game real or fake, reinforcing trust in factual evidence.

  5. Improve Observational Skills -

    Sharpen your attention to detail by spotting minute discrepancies and verifying authenticity under time pressure.

  6. Enhance Decision-Making Speed -

    Develop the ability to make quick, informed judgments in fast-paced fact or fake game scenarios.

Cheat Sheet

  1. Evaluate Sources with the SIFT Method -

    Use Mike Caulfield's SIFT framework - Stop, Investigate the source, Find better coverage, and Trace claims to their origin - to quickly separate fake or real information. Endorsed by the University of Washington Information School, SIFT equips you with a clear, repeatable process. Memorize "SIFT" as a handy mnemonic for your next real or fake game challenge.

  2. Cross-Check Facts Across Multiple Outlets -

    Always verify statements by comparing coverage from at least two reputable institutions like FactCheck.org or the Associated Press. This cross-referencing approach, recommended by the Poynter Institute, reduces the chance of falling for a fact or fake game trick. Aim to spot discrepancies in data points or quotes to bolster your confidence.

  3. Use Reverse Image Search for Photo Verification -

    Run suspicious images through Google Reverse Image Search or TinEye to uncover their original context and detect manipulation. Research from Cornell University shows that many viral images are repurposed or doctored, so this step is crucial in a fake or real quiz setting. A quick reverse lookup often reveals the true source, date, and location of an image.

  4. Identify Common Logical Fallacies -

    Learn to spot fallacies like appeal to authority, bandwagon, and false cause - tools that often sneak into deceptive statements. The Stanford Encyclopedia of Philosophy highlights that recognizing these traps helps you outsmart trick questions in any real or fake game. Practice by labeling fallacies in sample arguments to sharpen your critical eye.

  5. Be Aware of Cognitive Biases -

    Understand biases like confirmation bias and the Dunning-Kruger effect, which can cloud judgment when deciding if a claim is fake or real. The American Psychological Association notes that simply knowing these biases exists makes you less prone to their influence. Use a quick self-check: "Am I ignoring facts that don't match my beliefs?" to stay objective.

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