📖 ReadingGrade 2Lesson 21
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Distinguish Facts and Opinions

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Learning Objectives

  • 1Tell the difference between a fact and an opinion
  • 2Spot opinion signal words such as "I think," "best," and "should"
  • 3Use the key test: "Can I check this?" to decide fact or opinion
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Mini Lesson

Every day you hear and read lots of statements. Some are facts — things you can prove. Others are opinions — things someone thinks or feels. Good readers know the difference!

What is a fact?

  • A fact is a statement that is true for everyone and can be checked.
  • You can prove a fact by looking it up in a book, measuring it, or testing it.
  • Example: "The sun rises in the east." — You can check this. It is always true.
  • Example: "Dogs have four legs." — You can count and prove it.

What is an opinion?

  • An opinion is what one person thinks or feels. It is not the same for everyone.
  • Opinions often use feeling words or judgment words: best, worst, beautiful, boring, should, I think, I believe.
  • Example: "Dogs are the best pets." — Not everyone agrees. It cannot be proved.
  • Example: "Summer is the most fun season." — This is one person's view.

Signal words to watch for

  • Fact signals: numbers, dates, measurements, names of real places or things.
  • Opinion signals: I think, I believe, I feel, should, best, worst, always, never, most, least, beautiful, terrible.

The key test

  • Ask yourself: "Can I check this in a book or by measuring?" → If yes, it is probably a fact.
  • Ask yourself: "Does this tell me what someone thinks or feels?" → If yes, it is probably an opinion.
Fact versus Opinion comparison cardsTwo cards side by side. The left card is labeled FACT in blue and shows the example "Dogs have four legs." with a check mark. The right card is labeled OPINION in orange and shows the example "Dogs are the best pets." with a thought note.Fact vs. OpinionFACTCan be checkedand proved trueor false."Dogs havefour legs."You can check it!OPINIONTells what someonethinks or feels.Not the same for all."Dogs are thebest pets."?Not everyone agrees!
Two cards: a fact you can check vs. an opinion that tells what someone thinks.
Opinion signal wordsA list of common opinion signal words displayed as colored chips: I think, I believe, best, worst, should, beautiful, terrible, I feel, most, least.Opinion Signal WordsSpot these → it is probably an opinion!I thinkI believeI feelbestworstshouldbeautifulterriblemostleastThe key test:Can you check it? → FactDoes it tell what someone thinks? → Opinion
Common opinion signal words and the key test to tell facts from opinions.
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Ask yourself: "Can this statement be proved? Or does it tell me what someone thinks or feels?"

Vocabulary
Fact
A statement that is true for everyone and can be checked or provede.g. "A week has seven days."
Opinion
A statement that tells what one person thinks or feels — not the same for everyonee.g. "Seven is the best number."
Prove
To show that something is truee.g. You can prove a fact by measuring or looking it up.
Signal word
A clue word that tells you a statement might be an opinione.g. "I think," "best," "should"
Check
To look something up or test it to see if it is truee.g. Check a fact in a book or online.
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← Lesson 20: Read Charts and DiagramsLesson 22: Read About Famous Inventors →