F, RJ, S, O & Evidence Practice

Identify the statement below as a Fact, Reasoned Judgment, Speculation, or Opinion:

"... the world might expect to see a completely carbon-emission-free form of energy."

• fact

• reasoned judgment

• speculation

• opinion

Answer explanation

This statement shows an opinion (guess) about the future and has the key word might, so this is speculation.

Identify the statement below as a Fact, Reasoned Judgment, Speculation, or Opinion:

"...all stages of fossil fuel use produces pollution and releases toxins into the environment--from mining for coal, shipping the coal, and processing the coal."

• fact

• reasoned judgment

• speculation

• opinion

Answer explanation

This statement can be verified, so it is a fact.

Identify the statement below as a Fact, Reasoned Judgment, Speculation, or Opinion:

"Sure, one or two wind turbines look fine..."

• fact

• reasoned judgment

• speculation

• opinion

Answer explanation

This statement is debatable; some people may feel like wind turbines don't look fine, so this is an opinion.

Identify the statement below as a Fact, Reasoned Judgment, Speculation, or Opinion:

"The turbines practically looked like merry-go-rounds..."

• fact

• reasoned judgment

• speculation

• opinion

Answer explanation

This statement is debatable; some people may not think the turbines look "practically like merry-go-rounds," so this is an opinion.

Identify the statement below as a Fact, Reasoned Judgment, Speculation, or Opinion:

"...which led the scientists of this study to conclude that muscles use the same impulses when a person makes a sudden movement as they do when a person makes a planned movement."

• fact

• reasoned judgment

• speculation

• opinion

Answer explanation

This statement references evidence (scientists and study), and then indicates that a conclusion was drawn about muscles (forming conclusions is forming an opinion), so this is a reasoned judgment.

Identify the statement below as a Fact, Reasoned Judgment, Speculation, or Opinion:

"If the law does not require drivers and passengers to wear a seatbelt, then some people may never wear a seatbelt."

• fact

• reasoned judgment

• speculation

• opinion

Answer explanation

This statement offers a guess (opinion) about the future and uses the key words If and may so this is speculation.

Identify the statement below as a Fact, Reasoned Judgment, Speculation, or Opinion:

"Exercise can help prevent excess weight gain or help maintain weight loss."

• fact

• reasoned judgment

• speculation

• opinion

Answer explanation

This statement can be verified, so this is a fact.

Identify the statement below as a Fact, Reasoned Judgment, Speculation, or Opinion:

"Every person should exercise by running, walking, and participating in a sport."

• fact

• reasoned judgment

• speculation

• opinion

Answer explanation

This statement is debatable; many people may not agree with this (like Ms. Swink) haha, so this is an opinion.

Identify the statement below as a Fact, Reasoned Judgment, Speculation, or Opinion:

"Department of Energy data suggests that wind farms are providing enough energy to supply power to many small towns across the country"

• fact

• reasoned judgment

• speculation

• opinion

Answer explanation

The first part of this statement references evidence and then shares an opinion (the data "suggested" or caused people to form an opinion) about wind energy, so this is a reasoned judgment.

Identify the statement below as a Fact, Reasoned Judgment, Speculation, or Opinion:

"Computers may just be the best equalizer of education to be had."

• fact

• reasoned judgment

• speculation

• opinion

Answer explanation

This statement is a future based opinion (guess) and uses the speculation key word may, so this is speculation.