This myths and more vocabulary lesson will help you use the words tale, myth, legend, superstition, fairy tale, urban myth, hoax, parable, fable and anecdote, correctly.
(a) tale noun a story that might be invented or difficult to believe
- He told us a tale about buying a white castle.
(a) myth noun a traditional story about gods, heroes, and magic
- Medusa isn’t a myth. I met her last week – what a woman!
(a) legend noun an old story, often not true, about famous people and events in the past
- The legend of King Arthur and his broken sword has been made into many films.
(a) superstition noun the belief that magic or luck can affect your life
- I wonder if black cats have superstitions about humans?
(a) fairy tale noun a traditional children’s story in which magic things happen
- Reading your favourite fairy tale can bring back happy memories.
(an) urban myth noun a modern story that is not true but is often repeated, and believed by many to be true
- The urban myth about a crocodile coming out of the sewers has been retold in many countries.
(a) hoax noun a story to deceive someone, such as when someone deliberately tells people that something bad is going to happen or that something is true when it is not
- Stories about aliens visiting earth are obviously hoaxes, … aren’t they?
(a) parable noun a short, simple story that teaches or explains a moral or religious idea
- Many parables from India seem to about tigers being wise.
(a) fable noun a traditional story about animals that teaches a moral lesson
- This fable teaches us that if you have everything you should be happy with it.
(an) anecdote noun a short funny or interesting story about a real event or person
- His anecdote will not be forgotten quickly.
Now watch the video lesson and then do the myths and more vocabulary exercise