It varies from child to child. Some kids might start to figure it out around 5 or 6, while others might not until they're 8 or 9.
It's hard to put an exact age on it. Some children might show an understanding of the difference earlier than others. Usually, by the age of 6 or 7, they start to get the idea, but it becomes more clear as they grow older and gain more life experiences.
Mildred's ability to differentiate between reality and fiction is not straightforward. It could be influenced by various factors such as her level of awareness, the clarity of the distinctions presented, and her own mental state at the time.
One way is to look at the evidence. In reality, there are facts, data, and real - world experiences to back things up. For example, scientific research is based on real experiments. In fiction, it's often based on imagination and doesn't have to follow real - world rules. For instance, in a fantasy novel, magic can exist without any scientific basis.
We can distinguish them based on context. If it's in a fictional book, movie, or game, it's likely fiction. But if it's in a news report or a scientific study, it's probably reality. Also, the level of plausibility matters. In reality, things happen within the boundaries of what we know is possible. Fiction can go beyond those boundaries. For instance, a talking animal is common in fiction but not in reality. And the purpose also differs. Fiction is mainly for entertainment or to convey a message in an imaginative way, while reality is just the state of things as they are.
Mildred has difficulty distinguishing between reality and fiction. She's so immersed in the media-fed world that her perception is blurred.
Most of the time, our brains can make the distinction. It's a combination of factors like logic, common sense, and past experiences that allow us to tell what's real and what's fictional. However, sometimes, especially in highly immersive or deceptive situations, it can get confusing.
Pay attention to the consistency. Reality generally follows certain rules and laws. In fiction, the author can break these rules. For instance, in a fantasy novel, magic might be used to defy the laws of physics. But in the real world, we know that such things don't happen without scientific explanation. Also, the language used in non - fictional works is often more matter - of - fact, while in fiction, the language can be more creative and flowery.
In reality, events are usually based on evidence and facts. In fantasy fiction, a lot of the plot and settings are created from the author's imagination without the need for real - world evidence. So, if a story seems to be based on things that can't be proven or are highly unlikely in our world, it's probably fantasy.
Don Quixote often has trouble telling the difference. His wild imagination makes him believe fictional tales as reality.
Well, usually fiction is made up and not based on real events or facts. Reality is what actually happens in the real world. Look for things that seem too perfect or impossible to be real - that could be a sign it's fiction.
One way is to look at the setting. In reality - based stories, the setting is often a real - world place that can be recognized, like a specific city or country. In fantasy stories, it might be a made - up world with its own rules, like Middle - earth in 'The Lord of the Rings'. Another is the characters. Real - life stories usually have characters with normal human abilities, while in fantasy, there can be wizards, elves and other magical beings.