Famous Hoaxes
1 / 15Notable hoaxes, frauds, and deceptions in history
15 quick questionsNo sign-upFree to playTap an answer below to begin ↓
The 'Piltdown Man,' a skull fragment claimed to be a missing evolutionary link, was revealed as a hoax in 1953. Where was it 'found'?
About Famous Hoaxes
Notable hoaxes, frauds, and deceptions in history Famous Hoaxes packs 15 multiple-choice questions aimed at mixed difficulty into a relaxed session of roughly 7 minutes — no sign-up, no timer pressure. An explanation appears after every answer, and finishing once a day keeps your streak alive.
A few sample questions
1. The 'Piltdown Man,' a skull fragment claimed to be a missing evolutionary link, was revealed as a hoax in 1953. Where was it 'found'?
Answer: England
2. Orson Welles' 1938 radio broadcast of which science fiction story caused widespread panic among listeners?
Answer: War of the Worlds
3. The Cardiff Giant, a 10-foot 'petrified man' discovered in 1869, was actually carved from what material?
Answer: Gypsum
4. In 1983, the 'Hitler Diaries' were revealed to be forgeries. Which German magazine had purchased them?
Answer: Stern
5. The Loch Ness Monster's most famous photograph, the 'Surgeon's Photograph' of 1934, was later revealed to be what?
Answer: A toy submarine with a sculpted head
Frequently asked questions
Can I print Famous Hoaxes?
Yes — use the Print button at the top of the page for a clean question sheet, or "Print with Answers" to make an answer key. Printed sheets work well for group play at home, in a classroom, or at a senior center.
Will I lose my progress if I close the page?
Your overall progress — XP, streaks, and badges — is saved in your browser automatically. A quiz that's underway restarts if you leave mid-game, but at about 7 minutes, Famous Hoaxes fits comfortably in one sitting.
How many questions are in Famous Hoaxes?
Famous Hoaxes has 15 multiple-choice questions. Each one has four answer options and an explanation that appears after you answer, so you learn something even when you miss.
Is Famous Hoaxes free to play?
Yes. The entire SeniorBrainGames catalog — including Famous Hoaxes — is free, with no sign-up required, no time limits, and no ads on top of the game. It also works offline once the page has loaded once.
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