Describing

Read the following paragraph containing facts and opinions:

I know that university life is going to be exciting. The students always have great fun whilst they are learning and the lecturers are brilliant. I am starting a computer technology course in September. I will be studying at South Bank University. I am going to be living in the halls of residence because South Bank is 75 miles away from my home. More importantly, when I visited the campus, I was very impressed by the friendly atmosphere and the beautiful buildings. Mind you, I've had to work extremely hard at school because you need three A levels to get a place on the course.

Which pieces of information are fact and which are opinions?

Click in either the fact or opinion column
Fact Opinion
University life is exciting
Students have great fun
Lecturers are brilliant
I am starting a computer technology course in September
I will be studying at South Bank
I am going to be living in the halls of residence
South Bank is 75 miles from home
The atmosphere is friendly
The buildings are beautiful
You need three A levels to get a place

Can you think of any facts that could be given to support the following opinions?

  • The university seemed friendly
  • The buildings were beautiful
  • The lecturers are brilliant


It is often said that a person's choice of pet says something about their personality. Looking at the behaviour of supermarket customers in the pet food aisles gives us evidence that supports this theory.

The quiet woman slowly and carefully selecting a tin of canned food must be a cat person. She's seen the only box of special offer Katekins left on the shelf. As a rival customer's hand stretches towards it, the woman shoots forwards like a panther. She scoops her prize and stands back with a smug smile on her face.

The dog owner is a different creature all together. He comes screaming round the corner and brings his trolley to a sudden stop in front of the shelves of Meatichunks, Matey and Woofles. Another customer is his best friend in just seconds. He chats as he drops cans of whatever looks good into the trolley. Then he's off again.