Fact & Opinion
Which of these is an opinion?
a. Louis's family was very ill.
b. Louis should have camped elsewhere.
c. Many of the pelts that Louis acquired would be sold in Europe.
d. Louis was frightened by the charging bear.
Financial genius James "Big Jim" Fisk (1834-1872) died of a gunshot wound when he was only thirty-seven years old. During his brief lifetime, Fisk earned and lost huge sums of money, much of it through bribery and theft. During the Civil War, he smuggled cotton from the South to the North. He also printed and sold phony bonds to gain control of the wildly profitable Erie Railroad. Then he bankrupted the railroad while gaining a personal fortune for himself. In 1869, Fisk’s attempts to take over the gold market led to financial panic and the collapse of the stock market. Oddly enough, Fisk seemed rather proud of his wicked ways, saying "Some people are born to be good; other people to be bad. I was born to be bad." A lover of the ladies, Fisk was killed in a fight with a rival over the affections of actress Josie Mansfield.
(Source of information: Armento et al., A More Perfect Union, p.472)
What is the main idea of this passage?
a. Big Jim Fisk liked pretty women a little too much for his own good.
b. In his pursuit of wealth, James Fisk never let law or morality stand in his way.
c. James Fisk did not have a long life, but that did not stop him from making a great deal of money.
b. In his pursuit of wealth, James Fisk never let law or morality stand in his way.
Julie and her mother went shopping. First, they went to the bank. Inside the bank there was a large box where money was kept. Julie's mother told Julie not to touch the box or an alarm would go off. Julie touched the box by mistake.
Make a prediction about what will happen.
Which of these is an opinion?
a. Deer had especially become victims of the humans' bows and arrows.
b. The animals were as thoughtless and cruel as the humans.
c. Even the insects had invented ways to punish humans.d. If the animals had had their way, all humans would no longer dwell on the earth today.
b. The animals were as thoughtless and cruel as the humans.
For the ancient Romans, taking a bath was a very special occasion. Because they considered bathing a social opportunity, they constructed huge public baths that put our modern-day indoor pools and spas to shame. Not only were the baths themselves lavishly decorated, they were also surrounded by shops, libraries, and lounges so that a person could shop, read or chat after bathing. The famed Baths of Caracalla, for example, offered Roman citizens massages and saunas in addition to a gymnasium and gardens for after-bath walks in lovely surroundings. Art lovers that they were, the Romans also frequently built art galleries into their bathing facilities. There were also kitchens, where food was prepared to serve hungry bathers. In 500 A.D., the coming of Christianity brought the public baths to an end.
(Source of information: Charles Panati, Extraordinary Origins of Everyday Things, p. 200)
What is the main idea of the passage?
a. The ancient Romans were the first to lead a life of pure luxury.
b. If the Romans had spent more time governing and less time bathing, the Roman Empire would still exist today.
c. The ancient Romans made luxury and socializing a part of bathing.
c. The ancient Romans made luxury and socializing a part of bathing.
There are many different ways of going to school. In some desert countries, children go to school in tents. These people move across the desert, carrying the tent to school with them. In some hot countries, children go to school outside all year long. They do not sit in buildings. The sit on the grass.
Make an inference about why children in hot countries go to school outside all year long.
It would be too hot to have school inside a building so they sit on the cool grass.
a. Her recovery is a miracle.
b. Her bravery is remarkable for such a young woman.
c. Her story will inspire others.
d. She has endured many health problems in the course of her life.
d. She has endured many health problems in the course of her life.
Birds have long played a central role in superstitions. However, the role birds have played varies greatly. While crows were thought to be in league with the devil, blue birds were usually considered signs of good fortune. Blue jays, in contrast, were seldom assigned a positive role in superstition and legend. Most of the time, they were considered companions to the devil. According to one ancient superstition, blue jays were never seen on Fridays. Friday was their day to meet with the devil and pass on any useful gossip about souls who might be ready to go astray. Owls, in contrast, have played a number of different roles, some good, some bad. In several superstitions they are portrayed as wise counselors; in others they are a sign that death is near.
The structure of this text is -
Birds have long played a central role in superstitions. However, the role birds have played varies greatly. While crows were thought to be in league with the devil, blue birds were usually considered signs of good fortune. Blue jays, in contrast, were seldom assigned a positive role in superstition and legend. Most of the time, they were considered companions to the devil. According to one ancient superstition, blue jays were never seen on Fridays. Friday was their day to meet with the devil and pass on any useful gossip about souls who might be ready to go astray. Owls, in contrast, have played a number of different roles, some good, some bad. In several superstitions they are portrayed as wise counselors; in others they are a sign that death is near.
What is the main idea of the passage?
a. Despite having the same color, blue jays and blue birds have played very different roles in superstitions.
b. Birds turn up frequently in superstitions as signs of both good and evil.
c. Hardly a superstition exists that doesn’t have a bird in it.
b. Birds turn up frequently in superstitions as signs of both good and evil.
Pete called Ted Tuesday afternoon and invited him to come to his house after dinner to watch a movie. It had been a long, boring day, and Ted was excited to have something to do. After dinner, he hopped on his bike and pedaled over to Pete's house. The house was dark, and when he rang the bell, there was no answer. Ted turned around, hopped back on his bike, and rode home.
Make an inference as to why Ted rode home.
Which of the statements from Churchill's "Blood, Toil, Tears and Sweat" speech is an opinion?
a. On Friday evening last I received His Majesty's commission to form a new Administration.
b. The three party Leaders have agreed to serve, either in the War Cabinet or in high executive office.
c. The business to be considered during that week will be notified to Members at the earliest opportunity.
d. We have before us an ordeal of the most grievous kind.
d. We have before us an ordeal of the most grievous kind.
For the ancient Romans, taking a bath was a very special occasion. Because they considered bathing a social opportunity, they constructed huge public baths that put our modern-day indoor pools and spas to shame. Not only were the baths themselves lavishly decorated, they were also surrounded by shops, libraries, and lounges so that a person could shop, read or chat after bathing. The famed Baths of Caracalla, for example, offered Roman citizens massages and saunas in addition to a gymnasium and gardens for after-bath walks in lovely surroundings. Art lovers that they were, the Romans also frequently built art galleries into their bathing facilities. There were also kitchens, where food was prepared to serve hungry bathers. In 500 A.D., the coming of Christianity brought the public baths to an end.
(Source of information: Charles Panati, Extraordinary Origins of
Everyday Things, p. 200)
The structure of the text is -
French and American cookbooks obviously share the same subject: They both deal with the preparation of food. But that’s where the similarity ends. American recipes are very exact, while French recipes are open to personal variation. In American cookbooks, the teaspoon of sugar, for instance, is described as rounded or flat. French cookbooks are inclined to be less precise. The French cookbook writer thinks nothing of listing a "sprinkling of pepper" or a "pinch of salt." French cookbooks are also likely to tell the reader to "season according to taste." American cookbooks, in contrast, don’t seem to have as much faith in their readers’ ability to get the recipe right from taste. They tell readers exactly how much seasoning to use.
What is the main idea of the passage?
a. Despite a common topic, French and American cookbooks differ in the way they give directions.
b. Because they are better cooks, the French write cookbooks that trust their readers’ judgment.
c. American cookbooks don’t have much faith in the cook’s ability to determine the right taste.
a. Despite a common topic, French and American cookbooks differ in the way they give directions.
Tami loved biking. She had biked in all kinds of weather. She had been planning this bike trip for weeks. Today was going to be great. She woke up early and looked out the window. It was raining!
Make a prediction about whether or not Tami will go on her bike trip today.
a. They are, by any measure, one of the natural world's greatest success stories.
b. This is an injustice to these splendid creatures.
c. The number of sharks are shrinking because humans are over-fishing them for their fins and liver oil.
d. Who could possibly argue against the idea that a world without sharks would be a poorer one, both environmentally and economically?
c. The number of sharks are shrinking because humans are over-fishing them for their fins and liver oil.
a. a map of the school
b. a bar graph comparing students that have anxiety and students that do not
c. an illustration of a student with test anxiety
d. a list of things to do if you have test anxiety
d. a list of things to do if you have test anxiety
Not surprisingly, crime victims are often called upon to identify the person who robbed or attacked them. For a jury, the victim’s testimony is often positive proof that the accused is guilty. After all, who can better identify the wrongdoer than the person harmed. This is just common sense. Yet as is so often the case, common sense can be misleading. As it turns out, crime victims don’t necessarily make reliable witnesses. Overcome with fear, they often close their eyes or focus fixedly on the weapon being used to threaten them. As a result, they don’t get a good look at the thief or attacker. While it’s not true that crime victim testimony is always inaccurate, it’s also true that one can’t assume a victim’s identification is automatic proof of guilt.
What is the main idea of the passage?
a. Crime victims do not always correctly identify those who have harmed them.
b. Crime victim testimony is almost always inaccurate because during the crime, the victim was overcome with terror.
c. The testimony of crime victims has put far too many people in jail.
a. Crime victims do not always correctly identify those who have harmed them.
Sparta and Athens were Greek cities. Long ago, the people of both cities sent their children to school. The children learned different things there. In Sparta, the children went to school outdoors. They learned how to jump and run. They learned how to dance. They learned how to play many different games. In Athens, only boys went to school. They learned how to read, write, and speak correctly. They learned how to count and use numbers.
Make an inference about schooling for girls in Sparta and Athens.
What logical fallacy do these sentences display?
Finally, the most important reason for voting against Proposition 43 is obvious: Beaches should not be private property.Why should only a wealthy few be privileged to enjoy the beach? Every resident and visitor should have the right to enjoy the dunes, the tide pools, and the waters of our beautiful coast.
a. The word "should" reveals that the author wants to persuade the reader to agree. b. The word "wealthy" creates a caricature of beachfront property owners. c. The word "obvious" is a loaded term intended to make people who disagree feel ignorant. d. The word "beautiful" reveals the incorrect assumption that beaches are beautiful.
c. The word "obvious" is a loaded term intended to make people who disagree feel ignorant.