Fiction and non-fiction

Hello, and welcome to Myriora English! Reading tests often use two kinds of passage. A story that someone made up is called fiction. A passage that gives real facts is called non-fiction. If you know which one you're reading, you know what to look for.

Here's some fiction. Kit pulled up his hood and stared at the dark cave. His hands were shaking. In a story, follow the people. Who is here? Where are they? How do they feel? Kit is outside a dark cave, and he feels frightened.

Now here's some non-fiction. Bats sleep during the day and hunt at night. Many bats eat insects, and they use sound to find them in the dark. In non-fiction, follow the facts. What is it about? What does each part tell us? This one is about bats: when they hunt, and how they find their food.

Let's try one together. Is this passage fiction or non-fiction? Here's a tip: ask whether it tells a story or gives facts. Say it out loud!

The answer is non-fiction! It gives us facts about penguins, and no story happens.

Here's a common mistake. This passage has a number in it, so you might say non-fiction. But numbers don't decide it. Ana is a character, and something is happening to her. So this passage is fiction.

Your turn! Read the passage. Is it fiction or non-fiction? Pick the right card. You've got fifteen seconds, or pause the video. Go!

Time's up! The answer is fiction! Mina and her brother are characters, and something is happening to them.

Quick review. Fiction tells a made-up story, so follow the people. Non-fiction gives real facts, so follow the facts. Numbers don't decide it. Ask whether it tells a story or gives facts. See you next time!