N2 Reading Strategy: The Fact vs. Opinion Trap

The Biggest Trap in N2 Reading: Fact vs. Opinion

In the JLPT N2 Reading section (Dokkai), you will constantly face the classic question:

"Which of the following matches the author's thought?" (筆者の考えと合うのはどれか)

Many students read the whole text, feel that every option "was mentioned in the text", and then pick the wrong one. The reason? You failed to distinguish between FACT (Evidence/Background) and OPINION (Main Argument).

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1. Signs of "OPINION" - THE CORRECT ANSWER

These sentences contain the author's "voice". The correct answer is 99% paraphrased from these sentences.

Scan for these sentence endings:

• 〜と思う (To omou) / 〜考える (Kangaeru): I think...
• 〜ではないか (Dewa nai ka): Isn't it...? -> This is a rhetorical question, acting as a very strong affirmation.
• 〜べきだ (Beki da): Should / Must -> Advice or Moral judgment.
• 〜に違いない (Ni chigai nai): Must be -> Subjective judgment.
• Most Important: Reverse Conjunctions しかし (Shikashi - However) / だが / ところが.
  • Golden Rule: Everything BEFORE "However" is just background fluff. The Real Opinion is AFTER it.

2. Signs of "FACT" - THE DISTRACTORS

These are objective truths, data, or quotes used to support the argument. They are NOT the main message.

Be very suspicious if an answer comes from:

• Statistics: "Last year GDP rose 5%..." (Data, not opinion).
• History / News: "In the old days..."
• General Quotes: "It is generally said that...", "Recently people say..." (This is society's opinion, not the author's).
• Definitions: "Water boils at 100 degrees".

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3. Case Study

Text: "Recently, the media talks a lot about AI. Many people fear that AI will steal human jobs and increase unemployment (1). Indeed, AI is good at calculation and repetition (2). However, I see it differently. Isn't AI actually an opportunity for humans to be free from labor and focus on creativity? (3)"

Analysis:

• (1): Other people's opinion (Background) -> FACT (that people say so).
• (2): Concession (Admitting a truth) -> FACT.
• (3): After "However", ends with "Isn't it?" -> OPINION (KEY).

Question: What does the author think?

• A. AI will increase unemployment. (Wrong, that's what "many people" say).
• B. AI is good at calculation. (Wrong, just a supporting fact).
• C. AI helps humans be creative. (CORRECT, matches the opinion after "However").

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Advice

When reading, always circle the word "Shikashi" (However) and underline the sentence immediately following it. That is your Golden Key to N2 Reading success!