Fact and Opinion

Cats are the most popular pets in Hong Kong.

貓是香港最受歡迎的寵物。

There are about 400,000 pet cats in the city, and this number comes from a government survey.

全港約有四十萬隻寵物貓，這個數字來自政府調查。

Cats sleep twelve to sixteen hours a day, and they can see well in the dark.

貓每天睡十二至十六小時，而且在黑暗中也能看得清楚。

These are facts, because we can prove them with numbers or simple tests.

這些都是事實，因為我們可以用數字或簡單測試來證明。

Cats are independent animals that do not need to be walked every day.

貓是獨立的動物，不需要每天散步。

However, some statements are opinions, not facts.

不過，有些陳述是意見，不是事實。

“Cats are definitely the best pets” is an opinion, because it shows what the writer believes rather than what we can prove.

「貓一定是最好的寵物」是意見，因為它表達的是作者相信的事，而不是我們能證明的事。

“They are clean and quiet” sounds true, but many owners would disagree about the noise.

「牠們乾淨又安靜」聽起來是真的，但很多主人會對噪音問題不同意。

An opinion is subjective; it belongs to one person.

意見是主觀的，只屬於一個人。

A fact is objective, because it is true for everyone and can be checked by anyone.

事實是客觀的，因為它對所有人都成立，任何人都可以查證。

When you read an advertisement or an article, look for evidence.

閱讀廣告或文章時，要尋找證據。

Ask yourself: can this claim be proved by a study or an expert?

問問自己：這個說法能否由研究或專家證明？

If not, it may be an opinion.

如果不能，它可能只是意見。

Writers sometimes show bias, which means they present only one side of the story.

作者有時會流露偏見，即只呈現故事的其中一面。

“Everyone should have a cat” is a strong opinion, not a fact.

「人人都應該養貓」是強烈的意見，不是事實。

Remember: numbers, dates and records can usually be checked, so they often point to facts.

記住：數字、日期和紀錄通常可以查證，所以往往指向事實。

Smart readers separate facts from opinions instead of believing every sentence they read.

聰明的讀者會把事實和意見分開，不會盲目相信讀到的每一句話。