During a final seminar with BA year 4 science specialist trainee teachers, the authors posed a question about the difficulties associated with understanding magnetism. The ensuing discussion focused on a number of concerns commonly identified by students, which may also be of interest to classroom teachers teaching magnetism. Issues raised included: (1) What is magnetism; (2) Why do magnets have poles; (3) How can the Earth be a magnet; (4) How come some materials are magnetic and others are not; (5) Is there a relationship between electricity and magnetism; and (6) Why are some materials attracted to magnets while others are not? The authors hope that this brief article will help to deepen teachers' science subject knowledge and understanding rather than confuse and confound them.