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Critical Thinking – Fact vs. Opinion

Critical Thinking · Level 3 · Worksheet 2 of 5 · CCSS: RI.3.8, W.3.1 · Practice Set 4

Level 3 ⭐⭐⭐

1 Fact or Opinion?

📋 A FACT can be proven true. An OPINION is what someone thinks or feels.

Fact: "Water freezes at 32°F." (This can be tested and proven.)

Opinion: "Pizza is the best food ever." (This is how someone feels.)

Statement	F or O?
An octagon has eight sides.
Basketball is the most exciting sport to watch.
The Amazon River is in South America.
Cats make better pets than dogs.
A year has 365 days (or 366 in a leap year).
Roller coasters are too scary to enjoy.
Ants are insects.
Autumn leaves are the prettiest colors.

2 Spot the Opinion Words

👀 Opinion clue words: best, worst, should, beautiful, boring, favorite, always, never (when subjective).

Statement	Opinion Clue Word
"That roller coaster was terrifying."
"Everyone should learn to ride a bike."
"Broccoli tastes disgusting."
"This is the greatest book series ever written."

3 Change It!

🔄 Rewrite each FACT as an OPINION, and each OPINION as a FACT.

Original	Rewritten
FACT: Ants live in colonies.
OPINION: Science class is the most interesting subject.
FACT: The Amazon rainforest is very large.

4 Write Your Own

✍️ Write 2 facts and 2 opinions about your school.

Fact 1:

Fact 2:

Opinion 1:

Opinion 2:

4 Explain Your Reasoning (SBA Practice)

On the state test, you need to explain HOW you think, not just WHAT you think. Practice explaining your reasoning clearly.

Question: Write one statement that SOUNDS like a fact but is actually an opinion. Then explain how someone could tell the difference.

My answer:

How I figured it out (explain step by step):

How I know my answer makes sense:

+ Bonus Thinking Practice

Use this quick challenge for Set 4.

Riddle: What has hands but cannot clap?

Explain how you knew.