FACT AND OPINION-INFERENCE-

CONTENTIntroduction

Practice

- A fact is something that is true or false. - It can be proven by the real information and evidence. - These are important to

reliability of a source more the better.

EXAMPLE: A is the first letter of the

alphabet. Turtles have a hard shell.

- Opinions are statements based on feelings, attitudes, or beliefs.- It can never be proven either true or false.- The more opinion, less

reliable the source might be.EXAMPLE:

I believe ice cream is everyone's favorite food.

I like soccer the best.

probably, perhaps, usually, often, sometimes, on occasion, I believe, I think, in my opinion, I feel, I suggest

F

F

F

O

O

Fact or Opinion

?

EXERCISE 1:Read and mark each statement as a fact or an opinion

1. People are always talking about the amazing facts linking Kennedy and Lincoln.

2. The parallels between two of our most well-known presidents are astounding.

3. Lincoln was elected to Congress in 1846; Kennedy in 1946. Lincoln was elected President in 1860; Kennedy in 1960.

4. Both last names contain seven letters, and both men were shot in the head on a Friday.

5. Lincoln's assassin, John Wilkes Booth, was born in 1839; Kennedy's assassin, Lee Harvey Oswald, was born in 1939.

O

O

F

F

F

11EXERCISE 2: Read and mark each statement as a fact, an opinion, or a combination of fact and opinion1. Studies have shown that secondhand smoke can cause serious

breathing problems for the non-smoker. 2. Links have also been made between smoking and illnesses ranging

from heart attacks to emphysema to underweight babies. 3. With all of the evidence available to us, it is unbelievable that

people still light up, inhale the noxious gases, and become addicted to one of our legal drugs.

4. Some argue that there are other things as deadly as, or more deadly than, smoking, such as car accidents. This is just a smoke screen!

5. Although cigarette manufacturers have stopped targeting young people in their ads, they want to profit from their product.

F, O or B?

F

F

O

B

F

Step 1: Identify an Inference

Question

Step 2: Trust the Passage

Step 3: Hunt for Clues

Step 4: Narrow Down the Choices

Step 5: Practice

How to make

inference?

Inference is a mental process by which we reach a conclusion based on specific evidence.

Ideally, speakers mean what they say and say what they mean. Spoken communication is not

that simple. Much of what we understand—whether when listening or reading—we understand indirectly, by inference.

EXERCISE 3:

Choose the best inferences for these pictures!!!

• Question 1Which of the following statements is best supported by the photo?A. The woman is stressed out because she has so much work to do. B. The woman is overwhelmed because of her busy life. C. The woman is upset because of demands from her manager. D. The woman is tired because of her schoolwork.

Question 2:Based on the photo, it could be inferred that the woman is...A. hopeful for new beginnings. B. looking at someone she loves. C. enjoying the view of the sky. D. dreaming of her future.

• Question 3:

The photo suggests that...

A. someone's school district needs to reduce the amount of school supplies required. B. someone spent a lot of money on school supplies. C. someone purchased a lot of school supplies for one or more elementary students. D. someone is lazy and disorganized with their school supplies.

Question 4:• As you give a speech in front of a large audience, you realize that

people are laughing behind their hands and pointing to the region below your waist.

• Inference: You forgot to zip up your fly or you have something on your pants.

Question 5:

• No, Honey, I don’t want you to spend a lot of money on my birthday present. Just having you for a husband is the only gift I need. In fact, I’ll just drive my old rusty bucket of bolts down to the mall and buy myself a little present. And if the poor old car doesn't break down, I’ll be back soon.

• Inference: The wife wants the husband to buy her a new car for her birthday.