Media Literacy Quiz

This is an image of lights from space of India during the Diwali Festival (festival of light)

• TRUE

• FALSE

Answer explanation

Image actually shows visible change in light in cities between 1992 & 2003.

https://earthsky.org/earth/fake-image-of-india-during-diwali-versus-the-real-thing/

Is it true that from next year one UK University is offering courses to become Masters of magic?

• False

• True

Answer explanation

It’s true!

Starting in September 2024, Exeter University will begin offering an MA in ‘Magic and Occult Science’, offering students the chance to study the history and impact witchcraft and magic has had on society and science around the world.

https://www.theguardian.com/education/2023/oct/04/exeter-university-masters-degree-magic-occult

Were reports that a bale of hay was dangled from this famous bridge in London real or fake?

• True

• False

Answer explanation

It’s true!

A straw bale has been dangled from London's Millennium Bridge as part of an "ancient tradition" to warn passing boats of work on the capital's Thames crossings.

The ancient Port of London Thames bylaw is triggered when abseilers work under the arches of bridges, reducing space to pass.

At night, the straw bale will be replaced on the Millennium Bridge with a light.

The crossing, which opened in 2000, was closed on Saturday for three weeks for cleaning and so that urgent repairs can be carried out.

https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/cmlrx89jdv2o

Is this video of a giant octopus attacking a car in New York City after the floods, real or fake?

• True

• False

Answer explanation

It's fake!

While flooding in New York might’ve been real, this video is not.

It’s a CGI video depicting an octopus attacking a car made by @ghost3dee on Instagram and not real footage from New York City.

https://en.youturn.in/factcheck/octopus-crawling-on-the-car-and-breaking-the-windshield-glass-is-a-cgi-work.html

Is it true that up until 2022, a female had never refereed a men's international match at Wembley?

• False

• True

Answer explanation

It’s true!

Stephanie Frappart reffed the Germany vs Costa Rica game at the men’s World Cup one year prior and she's has now made history again.

Stephanie Frappart became the first ever female referee to officiate a men's international football match at Wembley, taking charge of England vs Australia on Friday 13th October.

https://www.bbc.com/sport/football/67052821

Is this tweet about Drake losing an $850,000 bet real or fake news?

• False

• True

Answer explanation

It’s fake!

Drake bet $850,000 on a Logan Paul knockout victory. Logan Paul did not win by knocking out his opponent Danis.

But Danis was disqualified and the site Drake placed his bet on states “a win by disqualification is counted as a Knockout/Technical Knockout”, meaning Drake won his bet anyway.

https://www.sportskeeda.com/mma/news-dillon-danis-sends-delusional-message-drake-1-35m-payout-logan-paul-fight

Is it true that police arrested a man posing as a mannequin in Poland?

• False

• True

Answer explanation

This is real!

Police in Warsaw arrested a 22-year-old man who was accused of posing as a shop window mannequin trying to steal jewellery after the shops had closed.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=p1slVWAtwO8#:~:text=Poland%20man%20arrested%20for%20posing,businesses%20after%20the%20mall%20closed.

Is it true that X added a special Spider-Man themed like button to celebrate the release of PlayStation's Spider-Man 2?

• True

• False

Answer explanation

False!

This is an example of engagement baiting, which is when someone makes a post with the sole intention of getting engagement (likes, comments etc.). In this case, tricking people into liking the post with misinformation.

https://campaignbrief.com/playstation-australia-celebrates-launch-of-marvels-spider-man-2-with-the-spectacular-save-stunt-on-sydney-harbour-via-akcelo/

Social media user photographed the image when travelling to Austria:

Salzburg Airport in Austria

has a help desk specifically for passengers

(up to 100 per year)

who intended to fly to Australia instead!

• True

• False

Answer explanation

This is false!

The misconception stems from a technology company advertisement that ran on a baggage carousel at the airport, which joked about offering such a service. The claim has delighted social media users recently. One post on X, formerly known as Twitter, has racked up more than 18,000 likes.

https://www.washingtonpost.com/travel/2023/10/26/austria-australia-airport-counter/

Dubai's 'crazy' Halloween drone show sees skeleton attempt to climb the Burj Khalifa

• True

• False

Answer explanation

False!

Firstly, the video appears to show people on the ground looking at the projection, yet the @geoscan.show video is the only one to have appeared on social media.

Given that most of us walk around with a recording device in our pocket, a huge drone event like this would surely have seen many more videos shared on social media from onlookers.