Section 1 - A: Fact versus opinion

Section 1 - A: Fact versus opinion

    Critical reading is an important reading skill. It is the skill of understanding what the writer writes, what kind of idea he forms and what kind of evidence he uses to support the idea, why he writes (the writer’s intention) and how he writes (the writer’s use of language). Being able to dissociate facts from opinions is an essential first step in acquiring a critical reading ability.

    Facts are statements that can be proved and no one could argue that the ideas expressed in these statements are not absolutely true. Examples of this kind of idea are natural rules and phenomena, true accounts, reports and stories, experiment results, descriptions, statistics, proper names, time and dates... Opinions include the writer’s implications (inferences, deductions and conclusions) and judgements (approval or disapproval, agreement or disagreement, claim, bias and point of view).

    Opinions differ from facts in that they are open to debate and cannot be proved to be true. They may also change over time. Most passages contain arguments and opinions; sometimes a passage presents the writer’s opinions on a subject; sometimes a passage presents the views of the writer and other experts.

    In writing, opinions are often expressed using words and phrases like ‘in my opinion’, ’believe’, ‘should’, ‘could’, ‘might’, ‘may’… Being able to distinguish between fact and opinion is an important reading skill as much of what we read can be a mixture of both. Using this skill can help you to better understand a reading, become a more critical reader, and put the information you have read to good use.

    Now, practise reading the following passages.

EXERCISE 1: 

    Read the paragraph below and the numbered statements. Indicate which statements areFacts (F) and which ones are Opinions (O).

    “The computer is incredibly fast, accurate and stupid. People are unbelievably slow, inaccurate, and intelligent,“ according to economist Leo Cherne. For a quarter of a century, electronic engineers have been developing computers. Computers can now perform many “ordinary” functions quickly and precisely. For example, computers are now depended upon in law, banking, medicine, education, manufacturing, and science. They can report, manage, decide, control, and predict in nearly every field. These are all ordinary functions of the computer. Many computer science experts are now dealing with the “extraordinary” capabilities of the computer. Can a computer become artificially intelligent? Can computers eventually equal the thinking powers of human beings? With the direction of a person, computers can create art: they can write music and poetry. They can play chess, prove mathematical theorems, talk with human beings, recognize voices, identify faces, and translate languages. Activities like these are normally considered factors of intelligence. Perhaps computers will one day really think and feel. They may have thought, intelligence, consciousness, and emotion.

Adapted from The Christian Science Monitor

	F	O
1. Electronic engineers have been developing computers for 25 years.
2. Computers are stupid.
3. Someday computers will have feelings similar to human emotions.
4. Computer can play chess.
5. Computer can translate languages.
6. Computers will have a more important place in society in the future.
7. People are slow and inaccurate.
8. Computers can now perform some activities that are considered to be factors of intelligence.
9. Computers are used in education.
10. People may someday depend on computers for conversations.

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EXERCISE 2: 

    Read the passages through, then consider the underlined statements - sentences or phrases – and decide
whether they are Facts (F) or Opinions (O). Whenever you think they are opinions, pick out the words mostly influencing your decision.

    The Austrian media, public opinion, Rapid Vienna players and officials were unanimous in their verdict on the outcome of the Cup-winners’ Cup clashes with Celtic, (1) which were marred by the widely-publicised disgraceful scenes in Glassgow and Manchester.

    (2) They claimed that ‘justice was done and was seen to be done’. The media and papers from other European countries which I heard or read were of the same opinion.

    The general feeling was that UEFA really had no choice but to order the return game to be replayed 150km away from Glassgow. (3) The second match, despite even worse acts of violence against the Austrian players, was deservedly won by Rapid who reached the quarter-finals on a 4-1 aggregate.

    The Austrian press rejected Scottish claims that their player Rudi Weinhofer, who came on as substitute at Parkhead and collapsed theatrically, had ‘play-acted’. (4) Medical examination confirmed that Weinhofer suffered a head injury by an object thrown from the terraces; he could not continue. Since Rapid had already used both subs (and in addition Reinhard Kienast was sent off for punching Tommy Burns) (5) they had to play on with nine men.

    The Celtic Football Club think they are blameless. (6) Maybe so. But as long as among their followers there are thugs who think they can influence the outcome of a match by violence, then they must take the consequences. UEFA have a responsibility to all European clubs. (7) Why should any team, any player, be exposed to such barbaric treatment as witnessed at Parkhead and Old Trafford. There, a Manchester policeman remarked in astonishment, ‘I have never seen so many drunks in one place before’.

	F	O	Words
(1) Which was marred…
(2) They claimed that…
(3) The 2nd match…
(4) Medical exam…
(5) they had to play…
(6) Maybe so.
(7) Why should any team...

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EXERCISE 3: 

    Read the passages through, then consider the underlined statements - sentences or phrases – and decide whether they are Facts (F) or Opinions (O).

    (1) There are many reasons why we should recycle household waste. The main reason is to avoid using up valuable resources making new things when it is not necessary. (2)However I do not think the Government should make it compulsory for people to recycle their waste.

    (3) If the government makes a law that all household must recycle their rubbish, the law could lead to more problems. For example, how can you check that people are recycling everything? It is not practical to do this. In addition, there is the argument that individuals should be allowed to decide for themselves whether to throw something away or to recycle it.

     (4) The most sensible approach for the government is to put more money into recycling schemes. The most successful are the ones where the government gives each household special boxes to put different kinds of waste in, and they provide a regular collection service. (5) There are separate boxes for plastic, metal, glass etc. (6) This makes it easier for people to recycle and they are therefore less likely to throw things in the rubbish bin.

	F	O
(1) There are many reasons...
(2) However I do not think...
(3) If the government makes...
(4) The most sensible approach...
(5) There are separate boxes...
(6) This makes it easier...

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EXERCISE 4: 

    Read the passage through, consider how many and which statements are Opinions (O), then pick out the words or phrases mostly influencing your decision.

    (1) Air pollution can be defined as the addition of something harmful to the air at a faster rate than it can be absorbed. (2) Everyone should be concerned about air pollution. (3) It affects us all and as it
continues to worsen, the environmental impact increases. (4) One of the major causes of air pollution in cities is cars which are used for even the shortest of journeys, and all efforts by governments to encourage people to use public transport seem to be failing. (5) Industry is another major cause of pollution in our cities, but fortunately, new industrial sites are being built away from large urban centres.

    (6) It’s said that there are too many contributing factors for us to decide exactly which one is the main problem, but I believe that one of the most serious problems that needs tackling is the use of the car. (7) In some cities laws have been passed concerning car use. (8) Athens, for example, only allows a certain number of cars into the city centre each day. (9) In my opinion, this is a good idea. (10) With this kind of law, people have no choice and are forced to use buses and trains. (11) This ensures government know that public transport will be used and can therefore justify the investment and expense of ensuring the system works properly. (12) Another thing governments could do is to force people to have their cars checked for carbon emissions and fine people with cars that produce high levels of harmful gases.

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EXERCISE 5: 

    Read the passages through, then consider if the underlined statements are Facts (F) or Opinions (O)and decide whether the following statements are True or False. (Pick out information in the text which shows this).

    (1) If you saw Tim Severin in the street you might not give him a second glance. (2) He is slight and neat, and his looks do not immediately proclaim him as the leading explorer of the day. Yet that is what he has made himself by means of voyages designed to search out the bones of truth from the bodies of ancient myth and legend.

    (3) It was the Brendan voyage in 1977, when he sailed a tiny leather curragh from Ireland to America, that really made his name. On the Sinbad voyage of 1980-81 he piloted a reconstruction of an ancient Arab dhow from Oman to China, and in 1984 took the Argo, a replica of a bronze age vessel, from Greece to the lands north of the Black Sea, exploring the track of Jason in search of the Golden Fleece.

    This week he is in London for the launch of his latest book, The Ulysses Voyage, which describes how – again in the Argo with the huge, bearded face painted on the sail – he put out from Troy to see where the winds would have taken the hero of the Odyssey on his 10-year voyage home to Ithaca.

I.

	F	O	Words
(1) If you saw ...
(2) He is slight ...
(3) It was the ...

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II.

	True	False	Information
1. People wouldn’t usually realise what Tim does.
2. A curragh and a dhow are types of boat.
3. One of the boats he sailed was made of bronze.
4. He made his reputation with a book about the Odyssey.
5. Each voyage he makes is in a different boat.

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EXERCISE 6: 

I.    Read the passages through, then consider the underlined statements - sentences or phrases – and decide whether they are Facts (F) or Opinions (O). Whenever you think they are opinions, pick out the words mostly influencing your decision.

BUYING A BACKPACK

    (1) Most walkers will know the value of a good backpack. Choosing one is a different matter, as any trip to an outdoor shop will reveal. To help, gear expert Peter Hawkins examines the ins and outs of a backpack.

    (2) A quick glance through my outdoor trade directory reveals 49 companies that sell or make rucksacks. If they all produce ten backpacks then we have a frightening number for the humble beginner to choose from. So before you set foot in outdoor shop consider what you want your rucksack for.

    (3) The first and most vital consideration is your anticipated load. If your walks are short summer evening strolls then a small sack would be fine, but if your walks are day-long and year-round then your sack will need to be bigger. Mine typically contains a flask, packed lunch, waterproofs, clothing I’ve peeled off during the day, first-aid kit and an emergency shelter. In winter I add a sleeping bag and a torch. I need a sack with a reasonable capacity.

    (4) My current backpack is a Craghopper AD30 (30 litres)which is just big enough. Admittedly I do often lead walking parties in remote places so perhaps my added responsibilities cause me to carry more.

    The second consideration is weight. Choose a light sack, but make sure it can take the weight of what you are carrying and it supports the load comfortably on your back.

    The next thing to consider is the rucksack’s features. (5) Today you can get quite technically advanced backpacks boasting excellent features: advanced fabrics, a variety of side and lid pockets, loops for walking poles, internal frames, adjustable straps, hip belts and clever ventilation systems to keep your back cool.

    You also need to look inside. It may seem obvious but you should choose a backpack that allows you easy access. Some have narrow necks that make removing bulky items difficult. It’s also important to choose a backpack that fits the length of your back. Being six feet I need a long, thin rucksack rather than a short, wider one. If I use the latter, I have a hip belt round my stomach!

    Last, and probably least, we have the look of the sack to consider. Obviously you can’t see it when it’s on your back, but why buy something that won’t look good on you? After all, (6) there’s no shortage of colors or designs to choose from.

	F	O	Words
(1) Most walkers ...
(2) A quick glance ...
(3) The first and most vital ...
(4) My current backpack ...
(5) Today you can get ...
(6) there’s no shortage ...

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II.    Read the passage again and answer whether the following statements agree with the opinions of the writer. Write Yes (Y), No (N), or Not Given (NG).

	(Y)	(N)	(NG)
1. Few companies make backpacks.
2. When choosing a backpack, people should think about their needs.
3. The Craghopper AD30 is more comfortable than other brands.
4. Manufacturers still need to solve the problem of backpacks causing your back to get hot.
5. A person’s physical shape and size is an important consideration when choosing a backpack.
6. The style of a backpack is less important than other considerations.

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