Reading: Fact or Opinion?

FS Level 1FS Level 2AQACity & GuildsEdexcelHighfield QualificationsNCFEOpen Awards

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.

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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.


 

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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!

 


 

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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.

 


 

FS Level 1FS Level 2AQAEdexcelCity & GuildsNCFEOpen AwardsHighfield Qualifications

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The pre-assessment tests your skills on a number of topics that will come up in the actual exam. You then get feedback on what you need to revise. 

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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.

 


 

FS Level 1FS Level 2AQAEdexcelCity & GuildsNCFEOpen AwardsHighfield Qualifications

Additional Resources

PFS

Exam Tips Cheat Sheet

FS Level 2

Reading: Fact or Opinion? Worksheet and Example Questions

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Reading: Fact or Opinion? L2

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Reading: Fact or Opinion? L1

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