阅读1六步理解法

5. The conflict over secrecy between the federal government and journalists arises from

the different roles they play in society. The government has the job of conducting

foreign policy. To do so effectively, government officials sometimes prefer to distort or withhold information. Journalists, however, see their role as digging up and giving information to the public. If they always sought government permission before publishing information, they would be able to print or broadcast only what the government wanted to appear in the media.

Pattern of organization: ____________5. contrast __________________

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Chapter 4 Fact and Opinion

I. An Overview

Fact: The Pearl Tower is the tallest building in this city.

(A researcher could, through inspection, confirm that it is the tallest.)

Opinion: The Pearl Tower is the ugliest building in the city.

(There’s no way to prove this statement because two people can look at the same building and come to different conclusions about its beauty. “Ugly” is a value word, a word we use to express a value judgment. Value words are signals that an opinion is being expressed. By their nature, these words represent opinions, not facts.)

II. Some Points about Fact and Opinion

There are several points to keep in mind when separating fact from opinion. 1. Statements of fact may be found to be untrue.

It is not unusual for evidence to show that a “fact” is not really true. It was once

considered to be a fact that the world was flat, for example, but that “fact” turned out to be an error.

2. Opinions may be masked as facts.

People sometimes present their opinions as facts. Here are two examples:

A) In point of fact, neither candidate for the mayor’s office is well-qualified. B) The truth of the matter is that frozen foods taste as good as fresh foods. Despite the words to the contrary, the above are not statements of fact but statements of opinion.

3. Remember that value words, such as good, bad, right, wrong, often represent

opinions.

Value words often express judgments—they are generally subjective rather than objective. While factual statements report on observed reality, subjective statements interpret reality. For example, the observation that it is raining outside is an objective one. The statement that the weather is bad, however, is a subjective interpretation of reality. (Some people consider rain to be good weather.)

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4. Finally, remember that much of what we read and hear is a mixture of fact and

opinion.

Recognizing facts and opinions is important because much information that sounds factual is really opinion. An advertisement may claim that a particular automobile is “the most economical car on the road today”, a statement that at first seems factual. But what is meant by economical? If the car offers the most miles per gallon but the worst record for expensive repairs, you might not agree that it’s economical.

Practice:

People tend to accept what they read as fact, but much of what we read is actually opinion. Keeping an eye out for opinion will help you to think for yourself and to question what you read. Read the following passages. Some sentences are facts, some are opinions, and others are a combination of the two. Identify facts with an F, opinions with an O, and statements of fact and opinion with an F+O. Passage 1

1

There were several queens of Egypt by the name of Cleopatra, including the one who ruled in the days of Antony and Caesar. 2She is one of the most interesting figures in Egyptian history. 3History records that she was born in 69 B.C. and killed herself almost forty years later. 4The story of how she killed herself is very easy to believe. 5Reports say she killed herself with an asp, the Egyptian cobra—a symbol of Egyptian royalty, so there could have been no better way for the queen to end her life.

1. ______ 2. ______ 3. ______ 4. _____ 5. ______ 1.F 2.O 3.F 4. O 5.F+O

Passage 2

1

Plants that people call weeds are often undeserving of such a negative name. 2

Ralph Waldo Emerson had the right idea—he once described a weed as “a plant whose virtues have not yet been discovered.” 3Clearly, weeds aren’t always so bad. 4

For example, they can replenish depleted top soil with minerals. 5Also, some plants that are called weeds are edible and contain vitamins.

1. ______ 2. ______ 3. ______ 4. _____ 5.

1.O 2.F+O 3.O 4.F 5.F

Passage 3

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1

There are few more annoying problems than hiccups, which can last for hours or even days. 2According to one doctor who has studied them, hiccups are usually caused by eating or drinking too quickly. 3 People do some pretty strange things to remedy this ridiculous problem. 4Some common remedies include holding your breath, eating a teaspoon of sugar, and putting a paper bag over your head. 5

Undoubtedly, that last one is the strangest one of all. 1. F+O 2. __ F 3. _ O 4. F 5. O ______

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