Conspiracy theory quiz: Test your knowledge of unfounded beliefs, from flat Earth to lizard people

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How much do you know about conspiracy theories? Take our science quiz to find out.

illustration of the earth as flat
Illustration showing the Earth as flat, a popular conspiracy theory that gained momentum in the 1950s with the establishment of the Flat Earth Society. (Image credit: Getty Images)

From speculation that JFK's assassination was an "inside job" to claims that vaccines contain microchips, the world is awash with conspiracy theories. The term was coined in the 1860s, appearing in a letter in The New York Times that discussed British support during the Civil War.

Fast-forward 150 years, and conspiracy theories are more prevalent than ever, which can be put down to the rise of social media, the spread of disinformation and a number of psychological factors — including a need to make sense of the world.

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Lydia Smith
Lydia Smith
Science Writer

Lydia Smith is a health and science journalist who works for U.K. and U.S. publications. She is studying for an MSc in psychology at the University of Glasgow and has an MA in English literature from King's College London.