FS English Level 2 – May 27, 2023 (Reading : Fact and opinion, identifying a writer’s style).

1. Pearson Edexcel Functional Skills English Level 2
Reading Exam
 Identifying fact and opinion - Question 6
 Identifying a writer’s style - Question 2

2. Identifying fact and opinion
Question 6 in the reading exam tests your skill in identifying an example of fact or
opinion.
To answer this question successfully, you have to be able to tell the difference between
a fact and an opinion.
This is not always as easy as you might think. Opinions can sometimes be presented to
look like facts, and this makes them more believable.
According to the Pearson Edexcel Principal Examiner’s Report for the Level 2 reading
exam, candidates often incorrectly guess the answer to Question 6 and therefore lose a
mark. Even 1 mark can make a difference between a Pass or a Fail.

3. First, let’s take a look at what a fact is, and some examples of language associated with
facts...

4. Facts
Facts are statements that can be verified or proved. They are backed up with evidence
that can be checked.
The following are examples of facts:
 Water boils at 100 degrees Celsius (we can do an experiment to
check).
 Leeds United are the most popular football team in West Yorkshire
(we can research the average crowds at their games and compare to
other teams).
 The blue whale is the largest animal on the planet (we can compare
it to other animals).

5. The language of facts
The following are a list of words/phrases associated with facts:
 demonstrated
 reported
 confirmed
 discovered
 revealed
 proved
 experts say...
 according to experts...
 research shows...
 surveys show...
 reports show...

6. Text B contains both facts and opinions.
Which two of these statements are facts?
1) Internet banking accounted for 12% of fraud cases in
2018.
2) Scammers are heartless criminals.
3) Phishing is a way of acquiring bank details.
4) Mary Brown is an expert on fraud.

7. Text B contains both facts and opinions.
Which two of these statements are facts?
1) Internet banking accounted for 12% of fraud cases in
2018.
2) Scammers are heartless criminals.
3) Phishing is a way of acquiring bank details.
4) Mary Brown is an expert on fraud.
The research in the table demonstrates that 12% of
fraud cases in 2018 were connected to internet
banking.
Phishing is a well-known scam which directs people to
fake websites where they are tricked into sharing
their bank details. We can prove this by finding a
definition of “phishing”.

8. Opinions
 Opinions are neither true nor untrue. They are based on personal beliefs, feelings or
attitudes, which means they cannot be proved.
 Opinions can sometimes be presented to look like facts. This has the effect of making
them seem more believable or convincing.
I think music should be available to download for free.
Some people say CDs won’t exist in ten years’ time.
“I think”
shows this is
an opinion.
This sounds
like a fact, but
it can’t be
proved. This
means it’s an
opinion.

9. Personal Feeling Phrases
• I think...
• I believe...
• In my opinion...
• Speaking personally...
• I feel...
• I would say...
• To me, it seems...
• My belief is...
Judgement Words
• good
• bad
• best
• worst
• terrible
• fantastic
• great
• awful
The
language
of opinions

10. Text B contains both facts and opinions.
Which of these statements is an opinion?
1) A number of factors have contributed to the decline in
car use by young people.
2) Passing the driving test was once seen as a stepping
stone to adulthood.
3) Between 1992 and 1994, more people aged 21-29 had a
driving licence than those aged 17-20.

11. Text B contains both facts and opinions.
Which of these statements is an opinion?
1) A number of factors have contributed to the decline in
car use by young people.
2) Passing the driving test was once seen as a stepping
stone to adulthood.
3) Between 1992 and 1994, more people aged 21-29 had a
driving licence than those aged 17-20.
This is a subjective statement. It suggests that driving
is an indicator of adulthood. There is no proof to
support this belief.

12. To recap...
Question 6 tests your ability to differentiate between fact and opinion.
You are asked to identify which of four statements is an example of fact or opinion.
Facts can be proved or verified by evidence. Facts are objective.
Opinions cannot be proved. They are based on what a person believes or feels is true.
Opinions are subjective.
If you are unsure whether a statement is a fact or an opinion, think about whether it can be
proved or not. If it can, it is a fact. If it can’t, it is an opinion.

13. Homework: Fact and Opinion
Read each of the following statements and write fact or opinion next to each one to say whether the
statement is presented as a fact or an opinion.
1. Research shows that 60% of the UK population are overweight. __________
2. Men are generally better drivers than women. __________
3. I think 9 out of 10 people would say they like chocolate. __________
4. Surveys have shown that children with siblings are better at sharing.__________
5. Everyone knows that exercise is good for you. __________

14. Homework: Fact and Opinion
Read the text below and then answer the questions underneath.
In July 2007 smoking was banned in public places in England. This was the most sensible decision made by the government in years. The ban was popular with the
majority of the population. In a recent survey, 78% of people said they still support the smoking ban.
It is now much more pleasant to go into a pub or restaurant. Before the ban, pubs were filled with smoke which made you coughand made your hair and clothes smell.
However, according to a recent study, 16% of bar and pub owners have noticed a significant drop in business because smokers are staying at home rather than going out
for a drink.
Making smoking in public places illegal has had a positive impact on people’s health. Since the ban, 400,000 people in England have given up smoking and the number of
people suffering heart attacks has fallen by more than 2%. The benefits have also affected non-smokers. For example, the number of children suffering asthma has
decreased by around 20%.
Fact Opinion
In July 2007 smoking was banned in public places in England.
This was the most sensible decision made by the government in years.
78% of people said they still support the smoking ban.
It is now much more pleasant to go into a pub or restaurant.
400,000 people have given up smoking since the ban was introduced.
The number of children with asthma has decreased by around 20%.
There are six statements from the text in the table below. Put a tick next to each statement to show which are presented as facts and
which are presented as opinions.

15. Identifying a writer’s style
In Question 2 of the reading exam, you are asked to identify the style of Text A.
This refers to the writer’s tone or voice.
For example, writing can have a personal or impersonal tone.
It can also have a formal or informal style.
Let’s take a look at the different style/tone words that Pearson Edexcel use for
Question 2...

16. admiring advisory amused angry apologetic chatty
cheerful concerned conversational critical depressing disappointed
enthusiastic excited friendly humorous impartial impersonal
irritated knowledgeable narrative optimistic patronising pessimistic
reassuring sarcastic serious sincere thoughtful urgent

18. The correct answer is D.
The writer uses reassuring phrases such as ‘ditch
those L plates’, ‘a good idea’, ‘help you to feel
comfortable driving’, ‘It’s OK to be anxious’. The
overall tone of the writing encourages the reader
not to worry about learning to drive or taking the
driving test.

20. The correct answer is D.
The writer presents a gloomy view of viewing
habits in the UK. Phrases such as ‘Binge-watching’
and ‘People are glued to their phones’ show
negative trends.

22. The correct answer is A.
The writer presents straightforward information and
advice to help the reader avoid becoming a victim of
identity theft.
It is a serious topic, so therefore it has a serious
style.

23. 2. Which word best describes the style of Text A?
A. advisory
B. narrative
C. disappointed
D. humorous

24. 2. Which word best describes the style of Text A?
A. advisory
B. narrative
C. disappointed
D. humorous
The correct answer is A.
The writer is presenting advice for young people on
how to find their ‘dream job’.

25. To recap...
Question 2 tests your ability to identify the style of Text A.
Style refers to the writer’s tone or voice.
Revise the tone words in the table on Slide 16.