Listening: Listening for Inference, Attitude, & Opinion B1 - Lesson 3: Distinguishing Simple Facts from Opinions in Short Talks

⚖️Listening: B1 - Fact vs. Opinion

Learning Objectives: By the end of this lesson, you will be able to:

• Understand the difference between a fact and an opinion.
• Identify statements of fact in short, clear talks.
• Identify statements of opinion in short, clear talks.
• Recognize words and phrases that often signal an opinion.

Hello B1 learners! When we listen to people talk, it's important to understand the difference between facts and opinions. A fact is something that is true and can be proven, while an opinion is what someone thinks or feels. Learning to separate them is a key critical listening skill.

What's the Difference?

Understanding facts and opinions helps you evaluate what you hear. Click the cards to learn how to tell them apart.

What is a Fact?

A Fact: A statement that can be proven to be true or false with evidence.
Example: "Paris is the capital of France."

What is an Opinion?

An Opinion: A personal belief, feeling, or judgment. It cannot be proven true or false.
Example: "Paris is the most beautiful city in the world."

Opinion Signal Words

Opinion Signal Words: Words that often introduce an opinion.
Examples: I think..., I believe..., In my opinion..., My favorite..., good, bad, beautiful.

✍️ Interactive Activities

Activity 1: Is it a Fact or an Opinion?

Read the statement below. Is it a fact or an opinion?

"I think chocolate ice cream is the most delicious flavor."

This statement is a(n):

Fact

Opinion

Activity 2: Analyze a Short Talk

Listen to this short talk about a city. Pay attention to which statements are facts and which are opinions.

Listen to the talk:

Analyze the statements:

1. Which of these statements from the talk is an OPINION?

"It is located in the northwest of the country."

"I think Rivertown is very beautiful."

"Many tourists visit the city every year."

2. Which of these statements from the talk is a FACT?

"My favorite city is Rivertown."

"The city also has a famous bamboo train."

"The bamboo train... is a lot of fun to ride."

🚀 Strategies for Distinguishing Fact vs. Opinion

• Listen for Opinion Words: Pay close attention to phrases like "I think," "I believe," "in my opinion," or subjective adjectives like "beautiful," "boring," "best."
• Listen for Factual Information: Pay attention to numbers, dates, locations, and specific, verifiable details.
• Ask Yourself "Can this be proven?": If the answer is yes, it's likely a fact. If the answer is no because it depends on someone's feelings, it's likely an opinion.
• Be Aware of Mixed Statements: Sometimes, a speaker might mix fact and opinion in one sentence (e.g., "The movie, which was three hours long (fact), was incredibly boring (opinion)").

Summary: This lesson focused on the B1 skill of distinguishing facts from opinions. A fact is a statement that can be proven true, while an opinion is a personal belief or feeling. By listening for signal words and asking yourself if a statement can be verified, you can become a more critical listener and better evaluate the information you hear.