1. FACT & OPINION

2. FACT vs. OPINION FACT: Something that can be proven, a statement that is true, or an event that has taken place. FACT: Something that can be proven, a statement that is true, or an event that has taken place. OPINION: A view or side that someone takes about a certain topic or issue (thoughts, feelings, or ideas) OPINION: A view or side that someone takes about a certain topic or issue (thoughts, feelings, or ideas)

3. Chocolate Toothpaste? Have you ever been told over and over to go brush your teeth? Well,consider that a Have you ever been told over and over to go brush your teeth? Well,consider that a thing of the past. Scientists have recently discovered that cocoa powder helps to harden your tooth’s enamel. That’s right you can actually have LESS cavities from using a toothpaste with cocoa powder extract in it! Toothpaste hasn’t changed in almost 100 years. In fact, cocoa extract will be the first new ingredient that has been added to toothpaste since 1914. This new toothpaste is still a few years from being released, but in the meantime, next time you are told to brush your teeth, just remember that in a few years you be told to go eat a candy bar instead! Which statement based on the passage is an opinion? A. Cocoa powder extract has been shown to increase the hardness of tooth enamel B. Toothpaste has been the same since before our grandparents B. Toothpaste has been the same since before our grandparents C. Chocolate toothpaste would be a great way to get kids to brush their teeth. C. Chocolate toothpaste would be a great way to get kids to brush their teeth. D. The new toothpaste won’t be released for at least a few more years. D. The new toothpaste won’t be released for at least a few more years.

4. The Colossal Catch In the cold, dark waters of the Antarctic lurks a creature with eight arms, two super long tentacles, and eyes as big as dinner plates. Sound like something out of a science fiction movie? Think again. This sea monster is the real deal. On February 21, New Zealand fisherman landed a colossal squid the length of a school bus. They had been fishing with long lines for Chilean sea bass in the waters off the coast of New Zealand when they snared a rare squid. With two hours of backbreaking work, the crew maneuvered the creature into a cargo net and hauled it aboard their ship. Scientists estimate that the animal weighs about a half-ton and is about 40 feet long. That would make this colossal catch the biggest on record. One expert said that if the squid were cut into calamari rings, a food made from squid, they would be the size of tractor tires!" I can assure you that this is going to draw phenomenal interest,” said squid expert Steve O’Shea. “It is truly amazing!” Which one of the following statements based on the passage is a fact? A. Squids are a cool catch B. Fishing for Chilean sea bass is a dangerous job C. Steve O’Shea believes that many people will be interested in the squid D. The squid was the size of a tractor

5. Colossal Squid

6. CAN YOU DO IT ON YOUR OWN?

7. “I Love the Look of Words” Popcorn leaps, popping from the floor off a hot black skillet and into my mouth. Black words leap, snapping from the white page. Rushing into my eyes. Sliding into my brain which gobbles them the way my tongue and teeth chomp the buttered popcorn. When I have stopped reading, ideas from the words stay stuck in my mind, like the sweet smell of butter perfuming my finger long after the popcorn is finished. I love the book and the look of words, The weight of ideas that popped into my mind. I love the tracks of new thinking in my mind. Which one of the statements based on the passage is a fact? A. Popcorn tastes good, especially when it has a lot of butter B. The author loves words and reading as much as she loves popcorn C. Reading is more fun to do if you are having a snack D. Words are not as delicious as popcorn

8. FACT vs. OPINION FACT: Something that can be proven, a statement that is true, or an event that has taken place. FACT: Something that can be proven, a statement that is true, or an event that has taken place. OPINION: A view or side that someone takes about a certain topic or issue OPINION: A view or side that someone takes about a certain topic or issue