Which of the Following Statements Is True? A Closer Look at Common

In the age of social media and instant information, myths, half-truths, and oversimplified facts often pass for truth. Some statements become so widely circulated that we accept them as factual without question. In this article, we’ll examine a group of popular statements, determine which is actually true, and explore why the others are false or misleading. The goal is not only to find the correct answer but to better understand how truth can often be buried beneath popular belief.

Let’s examine the following statements:

1. Humans only use 10% of their brains.

2. The Great Wall of China is visible from space with the naked eye.

3. Water conducts electricity.

4. Lightning never strikes the same place twice.

5. Bulls get angry when they see the color red.

6. Bananas grow on trees.

7. The Earth is closer to the Sun in the summer.

So, which of the following statements is true? The answer is:

3. Water conducts electricity.

But the story doesn’t stop there. Let’s explore each statement one by one, diving into the facts and dispelling the myths.

1. Humans Only Use 10% of Their Brains

False.

This myth is one of the most persistent in pop culture, often used to suggest untapped potential or psychic abilities. However, neurologists have thoroughly debunked this idea.

Modern brain imaging techniques, such as functional MRI and PET scans, show that virtually all areas of the brain are active at various times—even during sleep. While not every neuron fires all at once (and that would be dangerous), we use different parts of the brain for different activities, from processing sensory input to managing motor function and memory.

Why it persists: It’s a seductive idea. It makes people feel like geniuses in waiting, just one brain hack away from unlocking superpowers.

2. The Great Wall of China Is Visible from Space with the Naked Eye

False.

This claim has appeared in textbooks and trivia for years, but it’s a misconception. The Great Wall is long, yes, but it’s not particularly wide. From low Earth orbit (about 200–300 miles up), astronauts report that the Wall is very difficult to see with the naked eye, especially because it blends into the natural terrain.

Moreover, many man-made objects such as highways, airports, and even cities are more visible than the Great Wall due to their contrasting colors and broader scale.

NASA has confirmed that this statement is false.

3. Water Conducts Electricity

True—but with nuance.

This is the correct statement, although it needs clarification.

Pure water (distilled H₂O) does not conduct electricity well. It’s actually a poor conductor because it lacks free ions. However, in the real world, water is never pure. It usually contains dissolved minerals and impurities like salts, which allow it to conduct electricity.

So while people say “water conducts electricity” as a safety warning, it’s technically the impurities in water that make it conductive. That’s why standing in water near electrical outlets or wires is extremely dangerous.

Bottom line: While pure water isn’t a strong conductor, everyday water is. That makes this statement fundamentally true.

4. Lightning Never Strikes the Same Place Twice

False.

This is another oft-repeated myth, especially used metaphorically to suggest unlikely repetition. But scientifically, it doesn’t hold up.

Lightning can, and often does, strike the same location multiple times—especially tall structures like radio towers, skyscrapers, and trees. The Empire State Building in New York, for instance, is hit by lightning dozens of times per year.

Why the myth persists: It sounds poetic and reinforces the idea of rare or unique events, but in nature, lightning is guided by physics, not symbolism.

5. Bulls Get Angry When They See the Color Red

False.

This myth likely comes from bullfighting, where matadors wave a red cape. However, bulls are colorblind to red. What actually triggers their aggression is movement, not color.

In bullfights, the motion of the cape attracts the bull’s attention. The red color is used by matadors not for the bull, but to mask blood and for dramatic effect.

Scientific studies on bovine vision confirm that bulls can’t distinguish red from green.

6. Bananas Grow on Trees

False.

Despite appearances, bananas don’t grow on trees. The banana “tree” is actually a giant herbaceous plant—technically, the world’s largest herb. What looks like a trunk is a “pseudostem” made of tightly packed leaf bases.

Banana plants lack woody tissue, so they aren’t trees in the botanical sense. This botanical nuance is important to scientists but often overlooked in everyday conversation.

7. The Earth Is Closer to the Sun in the Summer

False (in the Northern Hemisphere).

This is a common misunderstanding of seasons. People often think summer is caused by the Earth being closer to the Sun. But the truth lies in the tilt of the Earth’s axis.

Seasons are created by the angle of sunlight hitting Earth due to its axial tilt. When the Northern Hemisphere is tilted toward the Sun, it gets more direct sunlight and longer days—hence, summer.

Ironically, the Earth is actually closest to the Sun in early January, during the Northern Hemisphere’s winter.

Conclusion: Truth Is in the Details

Among the seven widely believed statements, only one—“Water conducts electricity”—is fundamentally true, though it requires some nuance. The rest are either complete myths or misinterpretations of more complex truths.