Fact

1
Fact
and
Opinion
2
A fact is
anything that can be verified. That is they can
be checked to be shown as true.

• Great Britain is part of Europe.
• Peter is taller than Paula.
• Paris is the capital of France.
• VAT is set at 17.5
• Office Supplies Ltd produces 5 million paper
  clips a year.

• Now write down five facts about yourself.

3
An opinion is
the view that someone holds. It may be true but
it cannot be proved. In other words we are
looking for something that is usually said to be
a matter of opinion.

• Great Britain is the best place to live.
• Penny is prettier than Paula.
• Paris is the most inspiring city in the world.
• All taxes should be abolished.
• Paper clips are more trouble than they are
  worth.

• Now write down five opinions of your own.

4
Look at the following and decide whether they
show fact or opinion. 1. One thing this play
will not do is make you want to read the
book. 2. Over 2 million people have bought this
product in the last year. 3. The layout of the
web site is most irritating. 4. The car is
clumsy in styling but has a touch of real magic
for a driver. 5. Mark always travels in seat
21. 6. This is an exhilarating account of
British history. 7. If you like computer games,
you will love Max Payne.
OPINION
FACT
OPINION
OPINION
FACT
OPINION
OPINION
5
Look at the following statement. Is this fact or
opinion?
This clever and exciting thriller is set in the
year 2005.

• Its a combination of both.
• The ones you looked at on the last page were easy
  but
• Sometimes one sentence may contain both fact
  and opinion.
• Sometimes opinions can be stated as though they
  are facts.
• Not everyone would always agree on what is fact
  and what is opinion.
• Sometimes what is stated as a fact is clearly
  wrong. In this case it is called a false fact.

6
Match the statements below with ONE of the
following possible answers 1. Fact 2. False
fact 3. Opinion 4. Opinion stated as fact
5. Fact and opinion
2
1. It is clear that the earth is flat. 2.
Landing on the moon was mans greatest
achievement in the twentieth century. 3. It is
undeniable that David Beckham has contributed
more to English football than any other
player. 4. The Isle of Man is an island on the
west coast of England. 5. Next, the most
fashionable clothes shop can be found in many
town centres. 6. The First World war was fought
between 1914 and 1918. 7. 50 of cars are
powered by coal. 8. It must be the case that
television has done more than any other medium to
educate young people. 9. East Enders is the best
soap opera of all time. 10. Florence Nightingale,
a nurse in the Crimean war, is the most
fascinating woman of the nineteenth century. 11.
The Houses of Parliament are situated on the
north bank of the Thames. 12. Parliamentary
democracy is the best form of government. 13.
The Playstation 2 is manufactured by Sony and is
the most exciting games console.
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