Year 6 — Reading

Comparing and evaluating

Compare two texts with confidence, and distinguish FACT from OPINION precisely, even when opinions are disguised using confident, fact-like language.

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💡Understand

A FACT can be checked and proven true or false. An OPINION is a belief or judgement that cannot be proven, even when it's written in a confident tone that makes it sound like a fact.

“Fact: 'The library has 12,000 books.' Opinion disguised as fact: 'The library is clearly the best resource in the whole town.'”

The first sentence can be checked and verified. The second sounds confident and definite ('clearly'), but 'best' is a judgement that different people could reasonably disagree about — it remains an opinion no matter how it's phrased.

🔍Spot it

Is this a fact or an opinion?

Question 1

"The bridge is 400 metres long."

💡 This is a measurable, checkable claim.

Question 2

"This is obviously the greatest invention in history."

💡 "Obviously" makes it sound certain, but 'greatest' is a judgement, not a checkable fact.

Question 3

"Rainfall increased by 15% last year."

💡 This is a specific, verifiable statistic.

🧠Think about it

Why might a writer deliberately phrase an opinion using confident, fact-like language (e.g. 'clearly', 'undeniably', 'everyone knows')?

✍️Try it

Identify fact versus opinion.

You are comparing two articles about a new park.

Question 1

Which statement is a fact, not an opinion?

💡 Look for the option giving a specific, measurable, checkable detail.

📝Practise

Identify fact versus opinion, or the comparison point.

Question 1

"This film is undoubtedly the best of the year."

Question 2

"The film runs for 118 minutes."

Question 3

"Clearly, everyone should read this book."

Question 4

In one word, what type of claim can always be checked and proven true or false?

💡 It's the opposite of an opinion.

Question 5

"The museum was visited by 40,000 people last year."

Question 6

Why is it important to spot opinions disguised with confident language?

🎯Apply

Read the passage, then answer the questions below.

Text A: 'The new stadium holds 60,000 spectators and cost £200 million to build.' Text B: 'This is, without question, the finest stadium ever constructed, and anyone who disagrees simply hasn't seen it in person.'

Question 1

Which text relies mainly on fact?

💡 Look for specific, checkable numbers.

Question 2

How does Text B try to make its opinion seem more convincing?

Question 3

How much did the stadium cost to build, according to Text A?

💡 It's stated directly in Text A.

🏆Challenge

Write a short comparative paragraph (three to four sentences) comparing Text A and Text B above, explaining how each uses fact or opinion differently to make its point.

🔄Review

A quick mastery check — 3 questions.

Question 1

"The concert lasted three hours." is...

Question 2

"This is easily the best concert I've ever been to." is...

Question 3

An opinion remains an opinion even when phrased confidently because...