The Roadrunner's Guide to English: Fact & Opinion
Practice 1
Determine whether the following sentences are facts, opinions, or a mixture of fact and opinions. Then, check your answers against the key.
1. Marijuana should be legalized to reduce the effects of the current economic crisis.
2. The death penalty should be abolished because it's just too expensive.
3. A California lawmaker Monday introduced legislation that would legalize (and tax) pot there.
4. Last year, in an effort to cut costs, probation and parole agencies in Arizona, Kentucky, Mississippi, New Jersey, and Vermont sadly reduced or dropped prison time for thousands of offenders who foolishly violated conditions of their release.
5. President Barack Obama said Tuesday night that the country must now act "boldly and wisely" to take charge of its future.
6. Everyone is entitled to his or her own opinion.
7. All opinions are equally relevant.
8. Bruce Springsteen wrote "Thunder Road," a classic song of escape.
9. My car, which has only 10,000 miles on the odometer, will last another six years.
10. A city in beautiful north Florida, Tallahassee is the state's capital.
Practice 2
Determine whether the following sentences are facts, opinions, or a mixture of fact and opinions. Then, check your answers against the key.
1. America's tax laws are very confusing.
a. Fact b. Opinion c. Mixed Fact and Opinion
2. Using the IRS e-file makes doing your taxes easier and faster.
a. Fact b. Opinion c. Mixed Fact and Opinion
3. When you itemize deductions on your tax return, you cannot deduct both state income
taxes and general state sales taxes.
a. Fact b. Opinion c. Mixed Fact and Opinion
4. In 2008, more than 92 million Americans filed their taxes electronically.
a. Fact b. Opinion c. Mixed Fact and Opinion
5. It's unfair that the IRS limits educator expense deductions to those who teach in kindergarten through grade 12.
a. Fact b. Opinion c. Mixed Fact and Opinion
6. It's not safe to file your tax return electronically.
a. Fact b. Opinion c. Mixed Fact and Opinion
7. It makes no sense to allow only students in Midwestern disaster areas to deduct the cost of their textbooks when they file their income tax.
a. Fact b. Opinion c. Mixed Fact and Opinion
8. According the U.S. tax laws, course-related books and supplies are not qualified Educational expenses except for students who live in Midwestern disaster areas.
a. Fact b. Opinion c. Mixed Fact and Opinion
9. The maximum Hope education credit has rightly been increased to $2,500 for most taxpayers.
a. Fact b. Opinion c. Mixed Fact and Opinion
10. We should not have to pay taxes.
a. Fact b. Opinion c. Mixed Fact and Opinion