--- title: "Fact vs opinion" description: "Distinguish checkable factual claims from opinions in texts, explain how claims could be verified, and recognise how authors combine information with judgments" canonical: https://lightmysky.com/learn/english/fact-vs-opinion-mt_V6456X6pJE source: https://lightmysky.com/learn/english/fact-vs-opinion-mt_V6456X6pJE.md retrieved: 2026-11-12 --- > **Agent view.** This is the Markdown twin of the page, for tools and assistants. > When to use this site, and the call that answers each job: https://lightmysky.com/agent-instructions.md > API description (OpenAPI 3.1): https://lightmysky.com/openapi.json · Authentication: https://lightmysky.com/auth.md > Pricing: https://lightmysky.com/pricing.md · Catalog: https://lightmysky.com/llms.txt · Full catalog: https://lightmysky.com/llms-full.txt > Every machine-readable file on this domain: https://lightmysky.com/.well-known/ai-catalog.json > Ask for Markdown with `Accept: text/markdown`, a `.md` address, or `?mode=agent`. # Fact vs opinion Distinguish checkable factual claims from opinions in texts, explain how claims could be verified, and recognise how authors combine information with judgments Subject: English · Area: Reading Comprehension · Ages 10 to 11 Page: https://lightmysky.com/learn/english/fact-vs-opinion-mt_V6456X6pJE ## Ready when they can - Identify factual claims and opinions in a newspaper article - Explain how a factual claim could be checked using reliable evidence, or why a statement expresses a judgment or preference - Recognise persuasive techniques that present opinions as if they were facts ## Lesson: Fact vs opinion A factual claim says something you can check using evidence, such as a record or measurement. Checking may show that it is true or false. A fact is something established as true. An opinion expresses a judgment, preference or recommendation. Numbers alone do not decide the type: 'Five is the best number' expresses a judgment. **Example.** A practice report says: 'The town hall opened in 1932. It is the most beautiful building in the county.' Town records could check the opening year. 'Most beautiful' expresses a judgment about beauty. Split mixed sentences or paragraphs into parts and consider each claim separately. *(drawing: Records can check the opening year. The beauty statement expresses a judgment.)* You have read about an author's purpose and viewpoint. Words such as 'should', 'best' and 'everyone knows' can draw attention to a view. Read the whole claim before deciding its type. 'Should start later' recommends a change. 'Everyone knows' can make a judgment sound settled, but confidence does not supply evidence. **Example.** A practice article says: 'Ticket sales doubled, so this festival is obviously the greatest.' Sales records could check the doubling claim. They do not prove 'greatest'. A vote count also cannot establish a drink's sugar content. Ask whether the evidence supports this particular claim. An expert can report factual claims and express opinions. Their job title does not decide the type. 'Tallest of these three towers' can be checked by measuring. 'Most beautiful tower' expresses a judgment. Ask what is being compared and how it could be checked. Compare factual claims with reliable records or measurements before accepting them as true. **Recap.** Separate checkable claims from judgments. Check reliable evidence before accepting a claim as true, and match evidence to the claim it supports. *Original lesson, practice questions and flashcards written for this learning dataset.* ## Practice 18 questions on this page, each with its working shown. ## Needs first - [Spotting Facts and Opinions](https://lightmysky.com/learn/english/spotting-facts-and-opinions-mt_jJBprWe2pe) - [Why the author wrote it](https://lightmysky.com/learn/english/why-the-author-wrote-it-mt_OltpfaX7l6) ## Opens up - [Summarising non-fiction main ideas](https://lightmysky.com/learn/english/summarising-non-fiction-main-ideas-mt_XnRhhEqJLJ)