Revision for Exams: Fact or Opinion

What is a fact? A fact is something that can be verified and backed up with evidence, e.g. In 2005, Brazil and FC Barcelona star Ronaldinho was named FIFA World Footballer of The Year. We can verify these details by looking at FIFA records. Facts are often used in conjunction with research and study.

To sum up, facts

• can be verified in reference books, official records, and so forth.
• are expressed in concrete language or specific numbers.
• once verified, are generally agreed upon by people.

What is an opinion? An opinion is based on a belief or view. It is not based on evidence that can be verified, e.g. Wayne Rooney is the best football player in the English Premier League. Are there players in the English Premier League who are better than Wayne Rooney? 

Opinions are often introduced by verbs and adverbs that suggest some doubt in the writer's mind:

• It appears she was confused.
• She seems to have the qualifications for the position.
• They probably used dirty tricks to win. 

FACT OR OPINION: Let's practice!

Curry is the best dish in the world

Cricket is played in England.

William Shakespeare is the greatest English writer.

Travelling by caravan is the best way to see England

Birmingham is located in the West Midlands

Ibiza is a great holiday spot.

The new Wembley Stadium will seat 90,000 people.

Canada day is celebrated each year on the 1st of July

The overall quality of life has decreased in the last ten years.

The written component of the driving test must be completed before the practical component.

Access courses are designed to prepare students for higher education.

Country living is the only way to live.

If you live in the London Borough of Harrow - you can pay your council tax online.

Local councillors should spend more time listening to residents and less time listening to each other.

Finding a place to live is a long and frustrating process

Reading a good book is better than watching a good soap opera on television.

There are 646 Members of Parliament (MPs) in the UK House of Commons.

English professional football puts too much emphasis on money.

According to the latest survey, families are purchasing more household items on credit.

This product might cause stomach upset for some people in years to come.

Professor Morag MacRae argues that the effect of carbon emissions on the surrounding environment will only get worse.

The research team has discovered a new method for conducting this complicated chemical analysis.

The latest poll shows a marked increase in employee dissatisfaction.

I think public opinion will change over time.

This book is an enjoyable story of life in a small village

The use of computers at the college has increased and the stationery budget has doubled in the last few years

Governments must invest more in the environment.

Nine out of ten respondents answered the questions correctly.

Writing Summaries: Get Prepared for the Exams

• The goal of writing a summary of an article, a chapter, or a book is to offer as accurately as possible the full sense of the original, but in a more condensed form. A summary restates the author’s main point, purpose, intent, and supporting details in your own words.

• The process of summarizing enables you to better grasp the original, and the result shows the reader that you understand it as well. In addition, the knowledge gained allows you to better analyze and critique the original.

• First, try to find the main idea in the reading; it’s usually in the first paragraph. Next, skim through the article, glancing at any headings and graphics. Then, read the conclusion. The intent here is both to give yourself a review of the work and to effectively engage yourself with it.

• Now go back and read the original text carefully, jotting down notes on or highlighting the important points. Write the central idea and the author’s reasons (purpose and intent) for holding this viewpoint. Note the supporting elements the author uses to explain or back up her/his main information or claim.

• Make an outline that includes the main idea and the supporting details. Arrange your information in a logical order, for example, most to least important or chronological. Your order need not be the same as that in the original, but keep related supporting points together. The way you organize the outline may serve as a model for how you divide and write the essay.

• Write the summary, making sure to state the author’s name in the first sentence. Present the main idea, followed by the supporting points. The remainder of your summary should focus on how the author supports, defines, and/or illustrates that main idea. Remember, unless otherwise stated by your instructor, a summary should contain only the author’s views, so try to be as objective as possible.

• As you revise and edit your summary, compare it to the original and ask yourself questions such as: Have I rephrased the author’s words without changing their meaning? Have I restated the main idea and the supporting points accurately and in my own words?