8.2: Reading Skills- Distinguishing Facts from Opinions
- Page ID
- 104450
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\(\newcommand{\avec}{\mathbf a}\) \(\newcommand{\bvec}{\mathbf b}\) \(\newcommand{\cvec}{\mathbf c}\) \(\newcommand{\dvec}{\mathbf d}\) \(\newcommand{\dtil}{\widetilde{\mathbf d}}\) \(\newcommand{\evec}{\mathbf e}\) \(\newcommand{\fvec}{\mathbf f}\) \(\newcommand{\nvec}{\mathbf n}\) \(\newcommand{\pvec}{\mathbf p}\) \(\newcommand{\qvec}{\mathbf q}\) \(\newcommand{\svec}{\mathbf s}\) \(\newcommand{\tvec}{\mathbf t}\) \(\newcommand{\uvec}{\mathbf u}\) \(\newcommand{\vvec}{\mathbf v}\) \(\newcommand{\wvec}{\mathbf w}\) \(\newcommand{\xvec}{\mathbf x}\) \(\newcommand{\yvec}{\mathbf y}\) \(\newcommand{\zvec}{\mathbf z}\) \(\newcommand{\rvec}{\mathbf r}\) \(\newcommand{\mvec}{\mathbf m}\) \(\newcommand{\zerovec}{\mathbf 0}\) \(\newcommand{\onevec}{\mathbf 1}\) \(\newcommand{\real}{\mathbb R}\) \(\newcommand{\twovec}[2]{\left[\begin{array}{r}#1 \\ #2 \end{array}\right]}\) \(\newcommand{\ctwovec}[2]{\left[\begin{array}{c}#1 \\ #2 \end{array}\right]}\) \(\newcommand{\threevec}[3]{\left[\begin{array}{r}#1 \\ #2 \\ #3 \end{array}\right]}\) \(\newcommand{\cthreevec}[3]{\left[\begin{array}{c}#1 \\ #2 \\ #3 \end{array}\right]}\) \(\newcommand{\fourvec}[4]{\left[\begin{array}{r}#1 \\ #2 \\ #3 \\ #4 \end{array}\right]}\) \(\newcommand{\cfourvec}[4]{\left[\begin{array}{c}#1 \\ #2 \\ #3 \\ #4 \end{array}\right]}\) \(\newcommand{\fivevec}[5]{\left[\begin{array}{r}#1 \\ #2 \\ #3 \\ #4 \\ #5 \\ \end{array}\right]}\) \(\newcommand{\cfivevec}[5]{\left[\begin{array}{c}#1 \\ #2 \\ #3 \\ #4 \\ #5 \\ \end{array}\right]}\) \(\newcommand{\mattwo}[4]{\left[\begin{array}{rr}#1 \amp #2 \\ #3 \amp #4 \\ \end{array}\right]}\) \(\newcommand{\laspan}[1]{\text{Span}\{#1\}}\) \(\newcommand{\bcal}{\cal B}\) \(\newcommand{\ccal}{\cal C}\) \(\newcommand{\scal}{\cal S}\) \(\newcommand{\wcal}{\cal W}\) \(\newcommand{\ecal}{\cal E}\) \(\newcommand{\coords}[2]{\left\{#1\right\}_{#2}}\) \(\newcommand{\gray}[1]{\color{gray}{#1}}\) \(\newcommand{\lgray}[1]{\color{lightgray}{#1}}\) \(\newcommand{\rank}{\operatorname{rank}}\) \(\newcommand{\row}{\text{Row}}\) \(\newcommand{\col}{\text{Col}}\) \(\renewcommand{\row}{\text{Row}}\) \(\newcommand{\nul}{\text{Nul}}\) \(\newcommand{\var}{\text{Var}}\) \(\newcommand{\corr}{\text{corr}}\) \(\newcommand{\len}[1]{\left|#1\right|}\) \(\newcommand{\bbar}{\overline{\bvec}}\) \(\newcommand{\bhat}{\widehat{\bvec}}\) \(\newcommand{\bperp}{\bvec^\perp}\) \(\newcommand{\xhat}{\widehat{\xvec}}\) \(\newcommand{\vhat}{\widehat{\vvec}}\) \(\newcommand{\uhat}{\widehat{\uvec}}\) \(\newcommand{\what}{\widehat{\wvec}}\) \(\newcommand{\Sighat}{\widehat{\Sigma}}\) \(\newcommand{\lt}{<}\) \(\newcommand{\gt}{>}\) \(\newcommand{\amp}{&}\) \(\definecolor{fillinmathshade}{gray}{0.9}\)Fact or Opinion?
This is a fact
Facts can be checked somewhere else, and the same information should appear. Facts include the following:
Sentences that contain a number (e.g., population, size):
- The area of Fernie is 13.5 km2.
- Over 90% of the population is descended from European settlers.
Sentences that contain a date or other historical information:
- Shred Kelly was formed in 2009.
- The band first played to a large crowd at the Vancouver Winter Olympics.
Information about science and nature:
- Fernie has an average of 83.5 cm of snow in January.
- Fernie is 1,010 metres above sea level.
Personal descriptions that can be checked:
- Jordan has dark brown hair and brown eyes.
- He is working on a degree in counselling psychology.
This is an opinion
Ask yourself: Can someone disagree with this? If so, the sentence expresses an opinion, not a fact. Opinions include the following:
Sentences that start with a verb of thinking or believing:
- I think Shred Kelly’s music is great.
- I believe they deserve to achieve international success.
Sentences that contain an adjective:
- My local radio station plays the best (worst) music!
- I saw an amazing (fantastic, great, terrible) band last night!
Sentences that make a prediction about the future:
- This band is going to be huge.
- Fernie will always keep its distinctive character.
Sentences that say what someone should do:
- Everyone should try downhill skiing.
- Radio stations should play more Canadian music.
You Try It!
Are the sentences below facts (F) or opinions (O)? Hint: there are five facts and five opinions.
1. _____ For winter sports, I think the very best place to visit in B.C. is Fernie.
2. _____ The town was founded in 1898 and has a population of around 5,000.
3. _____ Originally a mining community, Fernie is now well known as a ski centre.
4. _____ Winters in Fernie are a magical time, with lots of fun and excitement.
5. _____ Fernie Alpine Resort has 142 ski runs and up to 37 feet of snow each year.
6. _____ The restaurants and bars in the town are just as good as those in Vancouver.
7. _____ Young people easily find jobs in ski stores, hotels, and restaurants.
8. _____ Fernie has produced several Olympic-level skiers and snowboarders.
9. _____ If you want a perfect B.C. winter vacation, you should definitely consider Fernie.
10. _____ It will be one of B.C.’s best winter destinations for many years to come.