Facts and opinions

A fact is something that can be verified and backed up with evidence, e.g. In 2005, Brazil and FC Barcelona star Ronaldinho was named FIFA World Footballer of The Year. We can verify these details by looking at FIFA records.

An opinion is based on a belief or view. It is not based on evidence that can be verified, e.g. Wayne Rooney is the best football player in the English Premier League. Are there players in the English Premier League who are better than Wayne Rooney?

Facts are often used in conjunction with research and study. The census (a survey of the population usually conducted by a government department) is a good example of when facts are used. These facts can be supported by information collected in the census, e.g. According to UK Government national statistics in 2004, approximately one in five people in the UK were aged under 16.

Opinions can be found in many types of writing such as a "Letter to the Editor" in a newspaper. A reader may write in with an opinion e.g. "24 hour pub licensing will ruin our community." Another reader may write in and disagree, e.g. "24 hour licensing will stop aggressive behavior by staggering closing hours."

Mixing fact and opinion

Writers often mix fact and opinion. So it is not always easy to tell whether something is based on verifiable information or someone's particular viewpoint. For this reason, it is important to read with a questioning mind. Just because someone says something is true - it doesn't mean it is true?

 

Facts and opinions

Practicing exercise

I. Write a complete sentence.

1.  Write a fact using the word countries.

2.  Write an opinion using the word pastime.

II. Write fact if the sentence is a fact. Write opinion if the sentence is an opinion.

3.      Multiplication and division are related operations.

4.      Matthew looks too scrawny to carry that heavy box up the stairs.

5.      The gardener chased the rabbits out of his cabbage field.

III. Write a complete sentence.

6.  Write a fact using the word ware.

7.  Write an opinion using the word vertical.

 

Facts and opinions

Practicing exercise-Answer key

1.      Answers will vary.

2.      Answers will vary.

3.      Fact

4.      Opinion

5.      Fact

6.      Answers will vary.

7.      Answers will vary.

 

 

Facts and opinion

Quiz

 

1. The house was built in 1926
2. I was born on May 27th, 1967
3. Scotland is the most beautiful country in the world
4. East or West, home is best
5. Manchester had the highest rainfall yesterday with 16.5 inches falling
6. She`s a man eater!
7. 78% of the parents voted to keep the school open
8. She is the tallest in her class
9. This is the highest building in China
10. The rising crime rate is a sign of the times
11. Sam Brown, 35, is the new England Football captain
12. She is likely to have an interesting love life
13. London is a violent city
14. Coronation Street was watched by 6 675892 people on Monday
15. East Whitwell has a larger population than West Whitwell
     

Facts and opinion

Quiz-Answer key

1.      Fact

2.      Fact

3.      Opinion

4.      Opinion

5.      Fact

6.      Opinion

7.      Opinion

8.      Opinion

9.      Opinion

10.   Fact

11.   Fact

12.   Fact

13.   Fact

14.   Fact

15.   Fact

 

 

Facts and opinions

Test

I. Read the statements and determine if they are facts or opinions.

1.  It feels good to sit outside in the sunlight. _______ 

2.  Exercising outdoors is more fun than exercising indoors. _______  

3.  Using computers is the best way to learn how to write stories. _______ 

4.  Candy tastes better than spinach. _______ 

5.  There are many different kinds of species of insects in the world. _______ 

6.  It is harder to divide than multiply numbers. _______ 

7.  It is important to read newspapers to keep up with what is going on in the world. _______ 

8.  Many people work Mondays through Fridays at their jobs. _______ 

9.  My dog is cuter than anyone else's. _______ 

10.  Daisies are the prettiest of all flowers. _______ 

11.  Jumping rope is a form of exercise. _______ 

12.  The sun warms up the earth. _______ 

13.  Flowers bloom in the spring and summer months. _______ 

14.  When eggs are dropped on the floor, they break. _______ 

15.  Saturdays are the best day of the week. _______ 

16.  Flies are annoying when they are inside your house. _______ 

17.  The sun rises and sets every day. _______ 

18.  Basketball is more interesting to watch than golf. _______ 

19.  Calculators help people solve math problems. _______ 

20.  Before electricity, many people burned candles to give them light. _______ 

21.  Doctors help people who are sick. _______ 

22.  Pizza tastes better than fish. _______ 

23.  Exercise is good for your health. _______ 

24.  Teachers should allow students to use calculators during tests. _______ 

25.  Farmers grow many different kinds of crops. _______ 

26.  Computers are found in many classrooms around the world. _______ 

27.  Many people order pepperoni on their pizzas. _______ 

28.  Fridays come before Saturdays on the calendar. _______ 

29.  Cameras are used to take pictures. _______ 

30.  Many newspapers come out every day. _______ 

 

 

Facts and opinions

Test-Answer key

1.      o

2.      o

3.      o

4.      o

5.      f

6.      o

7.      o

8.      f

9.      o

10.   o

11.   f

12.   f

13.   f

14.   f

15.   o

16.   o

17.   f

18.   o

19.   f

20.   f

21.   f

22.   o

23.   f

24.   o

25.   f

26.   f

27.   f

28.   f

29.   f

30.   f