Famous Tricks That Fooled the World
Throughout history, people have often believed unbelievable things, especially when the news came from a trusted source. While a small prank might only fool a friend or two, a mass hoax can trick thousands or even millions of people at the same time. These famous tricks show how easily people can be fooled when they trust what they hear.
One of the most famous tricks in history happened in 1835. A newspaper called the New York Sun published a series of articles about the moon. The stories claimed that a famous astronomer had built a giant telescope that could see tiny details on the lunar surface. The articles described lush forests, sparkling crystals, two-legged walking beavers, and bat-winged people living in peaceful valleys. The report sounded so scientific that other newspapers copied the stories and university professors debated the discoveries. Sales of the newspaper soared before the writer, Richard Adams Locke, admitted that the entire story was made up as a joke.
- hoax:
- A clever trick or deception meant to make people believe something false is true.
- astronomer:
- A scientist who studies stars, planets, and outer space.
- forged:
- Faked or copied illegally in order to deceive someone.
- broadcast:
- To send out a program or message by radio or television.
- bandwagon effect:
- The tendency for people to believe or do something just because many others are doing it.
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Preview questions from this passageShowHide
- 1What is the main difference between an ordinary prank and a mass hoax?
- 2What unusual creatures and sights did the New York Sun claim were on the moon?
About this informational passage for 5th Grade
“Famous Tricks That Fooled the World” is a informational reading passage about Mass Hoaxes, written for 5th Grade. It takes about 3 minutes to read (418 words) and comes with an interactive quiz and a printable worksheet with comprehension questions and an answer key.