Grade 6 Sources & Bias worksheet
from Gradelings · Name: ______________________
How to explain it
- A fact can be proven. An opinion is a belief or feeling.
- A reliable source has a known author, a date and evidence.
- Loaded words (like “disaster” or “amazing”) show bias. Neutral writing reports just the facts.
Example: Which headline is more neutral: “Council Wastes Money on Skate Park” or “Council Votes 5–4 to Build Skate Park”? “Wastes” is a loaded word showing an opinion. The other headline gives only facts. Answer: Council Votes 5–4 to Build Skate Park
Question 1
Which statement is a fact?
- Winter is the best season.
- Reading is the best way to relax.
- The library opens at 9:00 a.m.
- Homework is a waste of time.
The library opens at 9:00 a.m.
Hint: A fact can be proven true, for example by measuring, counting or checking a reliable source.
Question 2
Why should you check the date on an article about new technology?
- Newer articles are always longer.
- Information about technology can go out of date quickly.
- Older articles are always wrong.
- The date tells you who wrote it.
Information about technology can go out of date quickly.
Hint: Technology changes fast. Is the information still current?
Question 3
Which headline is the most neutral (least biased)?
- Noisy Skaters Get Their Way Again
- Council Votes 5–4 to Build New Skate Park
- Council Wastes Money on Pointless Skate Park
- Amazing Council Gives Kids the Best Gift Ever
Council Votes 5–4 to Build New Skate Park
Hint: A neutral headline reports what happened without words that show the writer's feelings.
Question 4
Which detail makes a website more trustworthy for a research project?
- It has lots of bright pictures.
- It names its authors and their expertise and lists its sources.
- It appears first in the search results.
- It uses many exclamation marks.
It names its authors and their expertise and lists its sources.
Hint: Trustworthy sources tell you who wrote them and where their information came from.
Question 5
A website praising a juice's health benefits is run by the company that sells the juice. What should a careful reader keep in mind?
- The company may be biased because it wants to sell more juice.
- The site must be reliable because it has lots of information.
- Health websites can't be biased.
- Companies always tell the whole story.
The company may be biased because it wants to sell more juice.
Hint: Ask: who made this, and what do they gain if I believe it?
Question 6
Which statement is an opinion?
- The library opens at 9:00 a.m.
- The Moon orbits Earth.
- Reading is the best way to relax.
- Our class has 27 students.
Reading is the best way to relax.
Hint: An opinion tells what someone thinks or feels and can't be proven. Watch for words like best, better, too or should.
Question 7
One article calls a protest “a lively crowd of families.” Another calls it “a noisy mob.” What does this show?
- One article must be about a different city.
- Both descriptions are completely neutral.
- Writers must use the same words for the same event.
- Word choice can reveal a writer's point of view.
Word choice can reveal a writer's point of view.
Hint: Compare the connotations: “lively crowd of families” versus “noisy mob.”
Question 8
Sort each statement: fact or opinion?
Sort into: 🔎 Fact · 💭 Opinion
- 📝Homework is a waste of time.
- 📝Reading is the best way to relax.
- 📝Math is more fun than art.
- 📝Our class has 27 students.
- 📝A week has seven days.
- 📝The library opens at 9:00 a.m.
🔎 Fact: Our class has 27 students., A week has seven days., The library opens at 9:00 a.m. · 💭 Opinion: Homework is a waste of time., Reading is the best way to relax., Math is more fun than art.
Hint: Ask: could I prove this by measuring, counting or checking a reliable source? If yes, it's a fact.
Question 9
You need accurate facts about how volcanoes form. Which source is most reliable?
- a comment under an online video
- a science museum website written by geologists
- a fantasy novel about a fire mountain
a science museum website written by geologists
Hint: Reliable sources are written by experts whose job is to inform, not to sell or entertain.
Question 10
What is the main purpose of an advertisement?
- to tell a made-up story for fun
- to persuade people to buy or do something
- to give balanced facts on both sides
to persuade people to buy or do something
Hint: Think about who pays for ads and what they want you to do.
Answer key
- 1. The library opens at 9:00 a.m.
- 2. Information about technology can go out of date quickly.
- 3. Council Votes 5–4 to Build New Skate Park
- 4. It names its authors and their expertise and lists its sources.
- 5. The company may be biased because it wants to sell more juice.
- 6. Reading is the best way to relax.
- 7. Word choice can reveal a writer's point of view.
- 8. 🔎 Fact: Our class has 27 students., A week has seven days., The library opens at 9:00 a.m. · 💭 Opinion: Homework is a waste of time., Reading is the best way to relax., Math is more fun than art.
- 9. a science museum website written by geologists
- 10. to persuade people to buy or do something
Want more than 10 questions?
In Gradelings the questions change every time and adjust to your child, with hints and kind feedback.