Reading: Critical Reading & Analysis (Introduction)
B2 Lesson 1: Distinguishing Fact from Opinion and Identifying Supporting Evidence
Reading Like a Detective
Welcome to Critical Reading! A critical reader doesn't just accept everything a text says. They act like a detective, analyzing and evaluating the information.
The most fundamental skill of critical reading1 is distinguishing between a Fact2 and an Opinion3. This helps you understand how an author builds their argument and how much you should trust their claims.
Part 1: Defining Fact vs. Opinion
Before we analyze a text, let's understand the key difference.
| Fact (Objective) | Opinion (Subjective) |
|---|---|
| A statement that can be proven true or false with evidence. | A statement of belief, feeling, or judgment that cannot be proven. |
| Example: Kampot is a province in southern Cambodia. | Example: Kampot is the most beautiful province in Cambodia. |
| Often contains numbers, dates, and verifiable information. | Often contains "judgment words" like best, worst, beautiful, terrible, should, think, believe. |
Practice Analyzing an Argument
Let's read this opinion piece and identify the facts and opinions the author uses as supporting evidence4.
Why Night Buses Are a Poor Choice for Cambodian Travel
While many tourists and locals use night buses for long-distance travel in Cambodia, I believe they are a surprisingly poor choice for several reasons (Opinion). Firstly, the safety record is a major concern. Official government statistics show a higher rate of accidents involving overnight buses compared to daytime services (Fact). Secondly, passengers often arrive at their destination at 5:00 or 6:00 AM. This is an inconvenient time (Opinion), as most guesthouses will not allow you to check in for several hours. Finally, while you might save money on one night's accommodation, the experience itself is simply terrible (Opinion). You arrive feeling exhausted and unable to enjoy your first day. Therefore, choosing a daytime bus is a much better and more sensible option.
Let's break down the author's argument:
- Main Argument: The author's main point is an opinion: that night buses are a poor choice.
- Supporting Evidence 1: The author uses a verifiable fact about higher accident rates to support their point about safety.
- Supporting Evidence 2: The author states that arriving early is "inconvenient." This is an opinion, as another person might find it convenient.
- Supporting Evidence 3: The author claims the experience is "terrible." This is a strong opinion based on personal feeling.
Conclusion: A critical reader sees that the author supports their main opinion with a mix of one key fact and several personal opinions.
Your Turn to Analyze!
Practice Quiz
Read the short text below and answer the questions.
"The new Kep Crab Market, which opened in 2023, is a major improvement for the city. It is a two-story concrete building located directly on the waterfront. In my opinion, it is the best place in Cambodia to eat fresh seafood, offering a much cleaner and more comfortable experience than the old market."
1. Which part of the text is a verifiable FACT?
- A. It is a major improvement for the city.
- B. It is the best place in Cambodia to eat fresh seafood.
- C. It is a two-story concrete building.
Answer: C. You can objectively verify the building's height and material. A and B are the author's personal judgments (opinions).
2. The phrase "a much cleaner and more comfortable experience" is an example of what?
- A. An Opinion
- B. A Fact
- C. A Statistic
Answer: A. An Opinion. While it might be based on observation, "cleaner" and "more comfortable" are subjective judgments that another person could disagree with.
Vocabulary Glossary
-
Critical Reading (noun phrase)
ភាសាខ្មែរ: ការអានបែបរិះគន់
The process of analyzing and evaluating a text, not just accepting its information as true. ↩ back to text -
Fact (noun)
ភាសាខ្មែរ: ការពិត
A statement that can be proven to be true or false with objective evidence. ↩ back to text -
Opinion (noun)
ភាសាខ្មែរ: មតិ
A personal belief, judgment, or feeling that cannot be proven right or wrong. ↩ back to text -
Supporting Evidence (noun phrase)
ភាសាខ្មែរ: ភស្តុតាងគាំទ្រ
The facts, examples, or reasons used to support a claim or argument. ↩ back to text
Homework Task
Be a Fact-Checker!
Find an online review in English for a movie, a restaurant, or a hotel.
- Copy one paragraph from the review into your notebook.
- Read it carefully. Underline any statements that are Facts (e.g., "The movie is three hours long," "The restaurant is on Street 123").
- Circle any statements that are Opinions (e.g., "The movie was boring," "The food was delicious").
Be ready to explain why you categorized each statement as a fact or an opinion.