Informational Writing — Answer Key
Part A: Fix the Sentence
Each sentence has an error. Rewrite it correctly on the line.
1. Fix the sentence:
Sharks are the coolest animals in the entire ocean.
Corrected: Sharks are predators that have lived in the ocean for over 400 million years.
Calling sharks "the coolest" is a personal opinion. Informational writing needs facts, like stating that sharks are predators that have lived in the ocean for over 400 million years.
2. Fix the sentence:
Everyone should agree that recycling is great.
Corrected: Recycling reduces waste by turning used materials into new products.
"Everyone should agree" tries to persuade the reader, which belongs in opinion writing. Informational writing should state facts, like how recycling turns used materials into new products.
3. Fix the sentence:
George Washington was the best president because he was really awesome.
Corrected: George Washington was the first president of the United States and led the country during its early years.
"The best" and "really awesome" are opinions with no evidence. Replacing them with the verifiable fact that Washington was the first president makes the sentence informational.
Part B: Fill in the Blank
Write the missing word or number on each line.
1. A fact can be proven true, but an opinion cannot.
A fact can be checked and proven true with evidence, while an opinion is just what someone personally thinks or feels.
2. Informational writing should use precise language, not emotional words.
Precise language gives the reader clear, exact information, while emotional words belong in persuasive or narrative writing instead.
3. Words like "best," "worst," and "should" often signal an opinion .
Words like "best," "worst," and "should" express personal judgment rather than provable facts, which makes them opinion signal words.
4. Writers use evidence such as dates, numbers, and statistics to support their main idea.
Evidence like dates, numbers, and statistics gives readers concrete proof that the main idea is accurate and trustworthy.
Part C: Short Answer
Answer each question in one or two complete sentences.
1. Why is it important to use facts instead of opinions in informational writing?
Sample answer: Facts give the reader accurate information they can trust, while opinions only share the writer's personal feelings.
A good answer includes: Facts give the reader accurate information they can trust, while opinions only share the writer's personal feelings.
2. Give one example of a fact and one example of an opinion about the same topic.
Sample answer: A fact is that the Earth orbits the Sun once every 365 days. An opinion is that sunsets are the most beautiful thing in nature.
A good answer includes: A fact is that the Earth orbits the Sun once every 365 days. An opinion is that sunsets are the most beautiful thing in nature.