Which term refers to a story from the past believed to be true but cannot be proven?

Which term refers to a story from the past believed to be true but cannot be proven?

• A. Plot
• B. Legend
• C. Myth
• D. Theme

Answer: (B)

Legends are traditional stories about the past that people often accept as true, even though there isn’t verifiable evidence to prove all the details. They sit between history and folklore: they may be rooted in real people or events, but over time the specifics become embellished and can’t be proven. This makes legends different from myths, which typically involve gods or supernatural beings and aim to explain beliefs or natural phenomena rather than recount a reported past. A plot is simply the sequence of events in a story, not a label for the story type. A theme is the underlying idea or message the author conveys, not a description of the story’s authenticity. So the term that fits the description is legend.

Legends are traditional stories about the past that people often accept as true, even though there isn’t verifiable evidence to prove all the details. They sit between history and folklore: they may be rooted in real people or events, but over time the specifics become embellished and can’t be proven. This makes legends different from myths, which typically involve gods or supernatural beings and aim to explain beliefs or natural phenomena rather than recount a reported past. A plot is simply the sequence of events in a story, not a label for the story type. A theme is the underlying idea or message the author conveys, not a description of the story’s authenticity. So the term that fits the description is legend.