🧩

Critical Thinking – Fact vs. Opinion

Critical Thinking · Level 3 · Worksheet 2 of 5 · CCSS: RI.3.8, W.3.1 · Practice Set 9

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 parallelogram has four sides.
Hiking is more peaceful than biking.
Penguins are birds that cannot fly.
Spicy food tastes better than mild food.
Mount Everest is the tallest mountain on Earth.
Weekends go by faster than weekdays.
A dozen means twelve.
Board games are more fun on rainy days.

2 Spot the Opinion Words

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

Statement	Opinion Clue Word
"Hiking is the most peaceful way to spend a morning."
"Everyone should hike at least one trail."
"That trail was way too steep."
"This is the best view in the whole park."

3 Change It!

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

Original	Rewritten
FACT: Penguins live in cold climates.
OPINION: Hiking is the most peaceful outdoor activity.
FACT: Mount Everest is located in Asia.

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 9.

Riddle: What has a neck but no head?

Explain how you knew.