Fake News Quiz September 2024

Chinese company Temu is known for its wide variety of products at discounted prices. But is it true that a croissant-shaped lamp bought on the site turned out to be a real croissant?

• Real

• Fake

Answer explanation

This croissaint-shaped lamp turned out to be made out of puff pastry covered in a resin. The TikTok of the half-baked lamp has been seen more than 15 million times since it was posted earlier this month. The TikToker who posted the video made the pastry discovery when she spotted ants eating the novelty lamp, so she cracked it open to discover the baked treat within.

While you can often grab a bargain online, not everything you receive might be quite what you expect!

Summer is over and the weather is expected to become wet and windy as we move into autumn. But is it true that The Met Office warned Brits to close their curtains at 4:30?

• Real

• Fake

Answer explanation

It's fake!

This story was reported by a national newspaper, The Daily Mirror, on a now-deleted TikTok that had more than 3 million views. But The Met Office, which is the national weather and climate service for the UK, quickly posted a stitch in response which called the original video 'utter rubbish'.

The original video is an example of clickbait, a piece of content with an attractive headline that draws you in, but is misleading.

The latest live-action Star Wars TV series, Skeleton Crew, is due to premiere on Disney+ in December. But is it true that a seven-year-old boy was denied a passport due to his Star Wars inspired name?

• Real

• Fake

Answer explanation

This is real!

The boy, who's Star Wars inspired middle name is Skywalker, was initially denied a passport by the Home Office as his name relates to a trademark or copyright. The boy was born on May 4, which is also known as Star Wars day. He has since been issued with a passport.

An apple a day keeps the doctor away, or so the saying goes. But are these purple apples from Canada, which have had more than 100,000 reactions on Facebook, real or fake?

• Real

• Fake

Answer explanation

It's fake!

This now-deleted Facebook post was created using AI. It's important to know how you can spot AI images on your socials, as there are some obvious signs to look out for. While many people called out the images of the apples as fake, some were clearly fooled as, according to Canadian News Network CTV, some people visited a store in Saskatchewan, hoping to purchase some purple fruit.

Footballers might suffer an injury after a heavy tackle, but is it true that footballer Victor Adeboyejo was left with a back injury after a hefty sneeze?

• Real

• Fake

Answer explanation

Bolton striker Victor Adeboyejo suffered a back injury which forced him to miss the recent EFL Trophy victory against Barrow. Manager Ian Evatt described the injury-inducing sneeze as "pretty hefty"

There are around 1200 different varieties of sausage in Germany. But is this headline about sausage vending machines true or false?

• Real

• Fake

Answer explanation

If you're craving a bratwurst in the middle of the night, then these sausage vending machines might just be for you! Vending machines selling sausages, milk, eggs and vegetables have been popping up across Germany, especially in rural areas where access to supermarkets and convenience stores is limited

Indie Rock band The Reytons have announced their 2025 UK tour. But is it true that football pundit Gary Neville will be joining them? 

• Real

• Fake

Answer explanation

Former Manchester United defender, turned TV pundit, Gary Neville, will not be joining the indie rock band on tour. Neville, who is a fan of the chart-topping Rotherham four-piece, 'joined' the band in a spoof YouTube video to promote their upcoming tour after auditioning to replace their injured bassist, despite the fact that he can't play the bass guitar!

According to this nutty headline, a train was cancelled as squirrels boarded and ‘refused to leave’. But is this true?

• Real

• Fake

Answer explanation

This is real!

Two bushy tail rodents boarded the 08:54 service from Reading to Gatwick on 16 September. Staff tried to lure the squirrels off the train using snacks and a broom, but operators were eventually forced to cancel the service joking that the squirrels boarded without tickets, which was a breach of railway byelaws... or as the operator says "byeclaws".