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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 7

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?
A cube has six faces.
Skateboarding is more thrilling than biking.
Butterflies begin life as caterpillars.
Long car rides are boring.
The Statue of Liberty is in New York.
Homemade pizza tastes better than store-bought pizza.
A decade is ten years.
Board games are more fun with a big group.

2 Spot the Opinion Words

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

Statement	Opinion Clue Word
"Skateboarding is the most thrilling hobby."
"Everyone should wear a helmet while biking."
"That car ride felt endless and boring."
"This is the best pizza place in town."

3 Change It!

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

Original	Rewritten
FACT: Butterflies have four wings.
OPINION: Skateboarding is the most exciting sport.
FACT: A decade equals ten years.

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 7.

Riddle: What has one eye but cannot see?

Explain how you knew.