Reading: Fact or Opinion?
Reading: Fact or Opinion? Revision
Fact or Opinion?
You will need to know the difference between fact and opinion and how to spot the difference.
There are different phrases associated with each concept to help you.
The key to working out whether a sentence is a fact or an opinion is whether it can be proved.
Make sure you are happy with the following topics before continuing.
Fact
A fact is a statement that can be proved, for example a statistic based on research. It is something which is objectively true.
Sometimes it can be easier to spot a fact if it is introduced by a phrase such as:
‘Research has shown that…’
OR
‘Scientists say that…’
Because of this, facts are usually found in explanatory and informative texts.
Opinion
An opinion is a statement or belief that can’t be proved – it is neither true nor false.
Sometimes it can be easier to spot an opinion if it is introduced by a phrase such as:
‘I think that…’
OR
‘I believe…’
However, opinions will not always be introduced by phrases like the above, so make sure that you check whether a statement can be proven!
Follow Our Socials
Follow our Facebook for community support
Follow our Instagram & TikTok for revision help
Our Facebook page can put you in touch with other students of your course for revision and community support. Alternatively, you can find us on Instagram or TikTok where we're always sharing revision tips for all our courses.
Follow our socials for revision tips and community support
Example: Fact
”The population of the UK is above 50 million.”
This is a fact because it can be proved by records and data.
Note that the use of figures, here ”above 50 million”, can also help you decide if a statement is a fact or an opinion. Statements which include statistics will usually be facts.
Example: Opinion
”Footballers should be paid less”
This is an opinion because it is is not based on any research or data, and there is no evidence to prove that this is a true statement.
Instead, it is just a belief, or an opinion.
Additional Resources
Exam Tips Cheat Sheet
FS Level 2Reading: Fact or Opinion? Worksheet and Example Questions
Reading: Fact or Opinion? L2
FS Level 2NewOfficial PFS
Reading: Fact or Opinion? L1
FS Level 1NewOfficial PFSRevision Products
Functional Skills English Level 2 Practice Papers
This comprehensive set of 10 Functional Skills English Level 2 Practice Papers (5 reading papers + 5 writing) is a great way to revise for your upcoming reading and writing exams. These papers have been specifically tailored to match the structure, format and question types used by each of the main exam boards for functional skills English.
Functional Skills English Level 2 Pocket Revision Guide
Revise and practice for your functional skills English level 2 exam. All topics covered in this compact revision guide.
Functional Skills English Level 2 Revision Cards
Revise for functional skills English level 2, with these English level 2 fundamentals revision cards. Covering the building blocks of the essential areas of the level 2 exam.
