Making Predictions With Facts, Opinions, and Probability Statements

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Making Predictions With Facts, Opinions, and
Probability Statements
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Introduction

• Remember
• Statements of fact can be proved or disproved.
• Statements of opinion tell us what someone likes
  or dislikes.
• Statements of probability are guesses or
  predictions about the future.

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• Sometimes you will need to distinguish between
  these types of statements to interpret
  information on the FCAT reading test.

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Directions

• Read or listen to the following statement to
  answer the questions that follow.

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J.C. Williams of Inman, South Carolina, is one of
the worlds largest short-order animal breeders.
He has short horses, goats, and sheep, and now a
new of breed- short zebu cattle. Fashion
designers, foreign dignitaries, Arab sheiks, and
celebrities from all over the world have been
charmed by Williams miniature animals, which
sell for as much as 35,000 a piece.
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The horses are the most popular. There is
something very appealing about these tiny
creatures, which are perfect in every detail
just like their grown-up cousins. They are not
unlike the large stuffed ponies we see in toy
stores, but these gentle miniatures can frolic
about and respond to their owners in loving ways.
Williams horselets are about 17 inches tall
when theyre born, and they grow to a maximum of
34 inches. Thats smaller than the smallest pony
and only slightly taller than a large dog.
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Williams 120 acre Dell Tera Mini Horse Farm now
has approximately 400 small horses and 200 other
wee beasties. It all started about ten years ago
when one mare produced a 12 ½ inch foal. The
National Enquirer took pictures of the tiny foal,
and Williams said, From that day on, weve
gotten mail by the pick up load.
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Of the estimated 250 adult horses 30 inches or
smaller in the United States, Williams has 50.
The other miniature animals sell well, but
Williams expects the zebu cattle, miniature
versions of the hump-backed cattle of India, to
be very popular in the coming years.
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Directions

• Recall the information from the text and your
  understanding of fact, opinions, and probability
  statements to answer the questions.

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Activity

• Look at the pair of statements. Label each
  statement fact or opinion.

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Statement 1

• Williams miniature animal farm includes horses,
  sheep, and goats.
• Is this a statement fact or opinion?

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The Answer

• This statement is a fact. It can be proven.

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Statement 2

• Williams is a clever businessman.
• Is this statement a fact or opinion?

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The Answer

• This statement is an opinion. Everyone may not
  think Williams is clever.

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Statement 3

• Directions Based on the information from the
  story, which of the following probabilities is
  most likely to occur?

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Question

• A. Williams will eventually stop producing the
  miniature horses because they dont sell well.
• B. None of the animals mentioned in the story
  will be very popular in the future.
• C. The zebu cattle will increase in popularity
  in the next few years.

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The Answer

• The answer is c. It is stated in the last
  sentence of the last paragraph.
• The other miniature animals sell well, but
  Williams expects the zebu cattle, miniature
  versions of the hump-backed cattle of India, to
  be very popular in the coming years.

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• This concludes the focus lesson.