11+ Comprehension · Topic explained
Fact and opinion
"The best pizza in Britain." Is that a fact?
The big idea
A fact can be checked and proved. An opinion is what someone thinks, and others could disagree.
Picture it
A tape measure can prove how tall you are, but not who has the nicest smile.
Key words
- Fact
- Something that can be checked and proved true.
- Opinion
- What someone thinks or feels.
- Opinion words
- Words like best, worst, should, beautiful, I think.
Worked examples
- 1Warm-up
"Paris is the capital of France." "Paris is the prettiest city in the world."
- First: fact (you can check it).
- Second: opinion (prettiest).
- 211+ standard
"The new sports hall cost two million pounds and is a complete waste of money."
- One sentence, both.
- The cost is a fact; "waste of money" is an opinion.
- 311+ standard
Opinion signals: best, worst, should, delicious, boring, I believe, amazing
- Words that judge are a clue to an opinion.
- 411+ standard
"Most visitors said the castle tour was too long."
- Tricky! That visitors said it is a fact: it can be checked.
- "Too long" is their opinion, being reported.
The common mistake
The mistake
If something sounds certain, or lots of people agree, it's a fact.
Instead
Only something that can be checked and proved is a fact.
Why: Writers often state opinions confidently, especially when they want to persuade you.
Where it comes up in the 11+
Non-fiction passages: "Which of these is an opinion?"
The video
Video coming soon
We're making a short video that explains fact and opinion step by step. Until then, everything it covers is on this page.
Free printable
Fact and opinion worksheet
Practice questions on this topic to print and try on paper, at home or on the way to school.
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Quick quiz
Have a go first, then tap to see the answer.
1. Which is a fact?
- Rain is horrible
- A week has seven days
- Maths is the best subject
- Summer holidays are too short
Show the answerHide the answer
A week has seven days
It can be checked and proved. The others are what someone thinks.
2. Which word most often signals an opinion?
- Delicious
- Tuesday
- Metres
- Seven
Show the answerHide the answer
Delicious
Delicious is a judgement; others might disagree.
3. "The bridge is 300 metres long and is the most beautiful in Scotland." Which part is an opinion?
- The bridge is 300 metres long
- the most beautiful in Scotland
- Both parts
- Neither part
Show the answerHide the answer
the most beautiful in Scotland
The length can be measured, but beauty is a matter of opinion.