An advertisement for magnetic shoe insoles reads: 'Wearers feel less foot pain. If pain continues, the magnets are still realigning your circulation.' Which feature of the advertisement marks the claim as pseudoscientific?

A seller of crystal pendants states that the pendant's healing energy 'cannot be picked up by any instrument and can only be felt by the wearer.' Which feature marks this as pseudoscientific?

A detox tea box says: 'This blend has been used for three thousand years, and that long history is proof that it cleans toxins from the blood.' Which feature marks the claim as pseudoscientific?

A social media post argues that passing comets cause earthquakes, because two large earthquakes happened in years when a comet was visible. It mentions no other comets or years. Which feature marks this as pseudoscientific?

A brain-training app's home page says only: 'Scientists agree this app raises your IQ.' It names no scientist, no study and no university. Which feature marks the claim as pseudoscientific?

A website admits that careful studies of its remedy found no effect, and explains that laboratories hide the true results to protect drug company profits. Which feature marks this as pseudoscientific?

A wellness company says its bracelet 'tunes your body's quantum vibrational frequency to a higher resonance.' Asked what is measured, the company gives no quantity and no unit. Which feature marks this as pseudoscientific?

For a report on a food dye, Ana finds a peer-reviewed journal article by university toxicologists and a page written by the candy maker's marketing team. Which source is stronger, and why?

A page claiming a herbal capsule cures allergies carries no author's name and no date, lists no studies, and every paragraph links to a shop selling the capsule. What is the strongest reason to doubt it?

For a project on sea level, Marcus finds a 1997 personal web page and a 2024 report from a national ocean agency giving its measurement stations and yearly data. Which is the better source?

A video is posted by a man who uses the title 'Dr.' His doctorate is in music history, and he sells the vitamin drops he recommends for treating flu. What is the strongest reason to doubt his advice?

Two web pages disagree about a new sunscreen ingredient. Which detail would give a reader the most confidence in one of the pages?

A sports drink is advertised as 'proven to speed up reaction time.' A physical education class wants to check the claim before believing it. Which result would put the claim to a real test?

A soil additive is sold with the promise that it 'makes tomato plants grow taller.' A school garden club decides to test it. Which result would put the claim to a real test?

A wristband is advertised as improving a person's balance. Which result would put that claim to a real test?

A science club tests an app that claims to repel mosquitoes with a high-pitched tone. A volunteer gets 3 bites on an evening with the app on and 5 the next evening with it off. Why is this weak evidence that the app works?

An online course posts screenshots from nine students who passed their exam after taking it. Messages from students who failed were deleted because 'they clearly did not follow the method.' What is wrong with the support offered?

A cold remedy label reports that four people who took it recovered within a week. No one else was followed, and untreated colds usually clear in about a week. What is wrong with this support?

A company reports that 92 percent of users are satisfied with its water filter. The survey was sent only to members of the company's paid loyalty club. What is wrong with the support offered?

The only support an energy bar company offers for its 'faster recovery' claim is a statement from one paid runner who says she recovers more quickly since switching. What is wrong with this support?