Tutorial:
Distinguishing Between Fact and Opinion

Copyright 2005 © Laraine Flemming.
Copyright is granted exclusively to instructors and students using textbooks written by Laraine Flemming. General distribution and redistribution are strictly prohibited.

Directions: Hit the appropriate button to indicate if the following statements are either fact, opinion, or a blend of both.

1. In 1787, the British Government sent a fleet of convicts to colonize Australia.
The statement is a fact.

The statement is an opinion.
The statement is a blend of both.
2. America's treatment of the homeless is a disgrace.
The statement is a fact.

The statement is an opinion.
The statement is a blend of both.
3. In 1763, the Treaty of Paris divided France's North American Empire between Britain and Spain.
The statement is a fact.

The statement is an opinion.
The statement is a blend of both.
4. Poetry and politics just don't mix.
The statement is a fact.

The statement is an opinion.
The statement is a blend of both.
5. Because of a newly formed and largely incompetent national weather service, the city of Galveston, Texas was practically destroyed in a horrifying hurricane that left thousands dead.
The statement is a fact.

The statement is an opinion.
The statement is a blend of both.
6. In 1852, the President of the United States, Franklin Pierce, was greedy to expand U.S. influence, and he formally offered to buy the island of Cuba.
The statement is a fact.

The statement is an opinion.
The statement is a blend of both.
7. On July 2, 1822, the brilliant ex-slave and rebel leader Denmark Vesey was captured by South Carolina authorities, who had discovered Vesey’s planned rebellion and were determined to hunt him down.
The statement is a fact.

The statement is an opinion.
The statement is a blend of both.
8. Writer and researcher Rachel Carson will always be remembered as the mother of modern ecology.
The statement is a fact.

The statement is an opinion.
The statement is a blend of both.
9. Between 1945 and 1960, the number of cars in the United States increased by 133 percent.
The statement is a fact.

The statement is an opinion.
The statement is a blend of both.
10. Those opposed to government spending conveniently forget how much the GI Bill—a program that allotted billions of dollars to help veterans of World War Two—helped expand Americas postwar economy.
The statement is a fact.

The statement is an opinion.
The statement is a blend of both.

Last change made to this page: April 6, 2005

Use the back button in your browser to return to the previous page!