Fact or Opinion

What are we learning today?

You will learn to tell a fact from an opinion in a short text.

Explanation

• A fact can be checked. It has numbers, dates or places.
• An opinion is what a person thinks.
• Opinion words: I think, in my opinion, I'm sure, perhaps, best, worst.
• Ask: "Can I check it?" If yes, it is a fact. If it depends on a person, it is an opinion.

Examples

1. The School of the Air started in 1951. This is a fact.
2. In my opinion, we will always need good teachers. This is an opinion.
3. Maths has numbers and shapes. This is a fact.
4. Maths is the most interesting subject. This is an opinion.

Remember!

• Fact: you can check it.
• Opinion: it is what somebody thinks.

Check yourself

1. "I'm sure computers will be cleverer." Fact or opinion?
2. "Children in the UK leave school at 16 or 18." Fact or opinion?