Question

A student recorded the following observations from an experiment. Identify whether each statement is a fact or an opinion. Petunia A is 9.0 cm tall. Petunia C is prettier than petunia D. Petunia B smells bad. The leaves on petunia C have turned yellow. Petunia D has grown 5.0 cm in five days. Petunia A is too close to the light. Petunia B is 2.0 cm taller than petunia C.

Answer 1

A student recorded the following observations from an experiment. Identify whether each statement is a fact or an opinion.  

1) Petunia A is 9.0 cm tall. Fact

In this case, the student could measure the petunia to know the height with a meter. This fact can be supported by looking at the meter.

2) Petunia C is prettier than petunia D. Opinion

In this case, the student says that the petunia C is prettier than petunia D based in his background knowledge, his beliefs and views; everyone can have a different opinion of how a petunia looks like.

3) Petunia B smells bad. Fact

In this case, it is known that petunias are among the type of flowers that smell bad. Their smell is described sometimes as earthy smell  

4) The leaves on petunia C have turned yellow. Fact

In this case, it is a direct perception of the color what the student uses to say that the leaves on petunia c have turned yellow.

5) Petunia D has grown 5.0 cm in five days. Fact

In this case, it is easy for the student to get that fact, he only has to use his meter to know how much petunia D has grown. It is an undisputable fact supported again by the meter.  

6) Petunia A is too close to the light. Opinion

In this case, it is a personal perception that does not have to be objective; depending on the type of the experiment, it might be bad to have the petunia too close to the light. We can never know because we do not know what type of experiment he is making, and we do not know the measure to keep the petunia away from the light in an exact way. We do not know either on what basis he is supporting that fact of the petunia being too close to the light

7) Petunia B is 2.0 cm taller than petunia C. Fact

Again, the student very easily can have an objective measure using the meter to know the height of petunia B in relation to petunia C.

Answer 2

Answer:

The following statements are facts:

• Petunia A is 9.0 cm tall
• The leaves on petunia C have turned yellow
• Petunia D has grown 5.0 cm in five days
• Petunia B is 2.0 cm taller than petunia C

The following statements are opinions:

• Petunia C is prettier than petunia D
• Petunia B smells bad
• Petunia A is too close to the light

Explanation:

The difference between the statements that are facts than those that are opinions is that facts are objective and made out of logical deduction and obervation while an opinion is subjective and may vary between different people.