Daily News
Special Report World News
Can You Spot the Fake News Story?
What is fake news?
• Fake news is false information or opinion
that is mistaken for fact.
• It can be created by accident or on purpose.
Fake news is created on purpose for different
reasons such as, to make money through
advertising, promote the creator’s opinions,
promote the opinions of the organisation the
creator works for or to entertain people.
How good are you at spotting fake news?
We’ve got three news stories here but not
all of them are real! They’re all about going
places but can you work out which is real and
which is fake?
Man Paddles Pumpkin into the Record Books
A man from Nebraska, US, has broken
the world record for longest journey by
pumpkin boat.
60-year-old Duane Hansen sailed his
enormous pumpkin 38 miles down the
Missouri river.
The pumpkin, named Berta, weighed an
impressive 384kg. Duane carved it out, put a
cool box inside to sit on and set off on his epic
journey the day after turning 60.
Using an oar to paddle, he sailed down the
river for 11 hours and into the record books.
The previous-longest journey by pumpkin boat
was 25.5 miles.
It’s easy to say that Duane really squashed
that record!
Car Company Develops Vehicle Powered
by Walking
People across the world are looking for ways
to be more environmentally friendly and one
French car company thinks they’ve come up with
a new idea that can help.
Think of the classic children’s outdoor toy car.
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7th September 2022
As interesting or amazing as something might
sound, if you’re not sure about it... dont’ share it.
You get inside the small colourful car and move
it using your feet as they poke out the bottom.
Now, blow it up to adult size and that’s the
new Pied Uno. Rather than using an engine,
people use their feet to make this car go.
The makers say that 25% of car journeys
are less than a mile. People could walk or cycle
but sometimes don’t feel safe on a bike, don’t
want to carry lots of bags or just want to be out
of the rain.
They say their affordable leg-powered car is
the answer. There are even plans to release a
pedal-powered option in the future.
Putting your foot to the floor may need to
take on a new meaning!
Pilot Turns Plane around and Goes Back to
Get Schoolgirl
A schoolgirl from Nottinghamshire, England,
and her father thought they were in trouble
when, due to a lost passport, they were told they
couldn’t catch their flight home. The rest of their
family boarded but the two of them had to stay
in the airport.
Luckily, the passport turned up but the plane
had left the gate. The relieved pair thought
they’d have to wait for the next flight.
However, instead of taking off, the pilot of the
plane turned back and picked them up!
Now that’s taking customer service to
new heights.
 Questions
1. According to the text, how long was Duane Hansen sailing his pumpkin down the
Missouri river?


2. According to the text, why were the schoolgirl and her father not allowed to board the
plane at first?


3. According to the text, how is the new Pied Uno powered?



4. Give one example of the use of humour in one of the stories.





5. Which story, or stories, do you think are made up? (tick all that apply)

Man Paddles Pumpkin into the Record Books

Car Company Develops Vehicle Powered by Walking
Pilot Turns Plane around and Goes Back to Get Schoolgirl

Why do you think that?








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 Answers
1. According to the text, how long was Duane Hansen sailing his pumpkin down the
Missouri river?
11 hours

2. According to the text, why were the schoolgirl and her father not allowed to board the
plane at first?
Accept any reasonable answer referring to a lost passport.

3. According to the text, how is the new Pied Uno powered?

Accept any reasonable answer referring to it being powered by walking, running, feet,
legs or people.

4. Give one example of the use of humour in one of the stories.

Accept any reasonable answer, e.g. It says that the man really squashed the record
which is a pun on pumpkins being a type of squash.

5. Which story, or stories, do you think are made up? (tick all that apply)

Man Paddles Pumpkin into the Record Books

 Car Company Develops Vehicle Powered by Walking
Pilot Turns Plane around and Goes Back to Get Schoolgirl

Why do you think that?

Accept any reasonable answer, e.g. An adult-sized car that people power with their legs
would probably be too heavy. It would also be dangerous to drive on the road with other
cars going much faster.

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