What is the difference between fact and opinion, and how can you tell in a text?

What is the difference between fact and opinion, and how can you tell in a text?

• A. Facts are verifiable statements; opinions reflect beliefs or judgments; look for evidence for facts and subjective language for opinions
• B. Facts are opinions
• C. Opinions are verifiable
• D. There is no difference

Answer: (C)

Understanding the difference between facts and opinions helps you read critically. A fact is a statement that can be proven true or false through evidence, data, or reliable sources. An opinion is a belief, judgment, or feeling about something; it reflects a position a person holds and may not be verifiable in the same way as a fact. How to tell in a text: facts usually come with evidence you can check—specific details, dates, measurements, citations, or quotes from credible sources. opinions show up through subjective language, personal beliefs, or persuasive aims—words like think, believe, should, best, or language that reveals a feeling about the topic. The best choice describes facts as verifiable statements and opinions as beliefs or judgments, and it advises looking for evidence for facts and subjective language for opinions. Choices that say facts are opinions or that opinions are verifiable don’t fit how we distinguish evidence from belief, and saying there is no difference ignores how we verify information.

Understanding the difference between facts and opinions helps you read critically. A fact is a statement that can be proven true or false through evidence, data, or reliable sources. An opinion is a belief, judgment, or feeling about something; it reflects a position a person holds and may not be verifiable in the same way as a fact.

How to tell in a text: facts usually come with evidence you can check—specific details, dates, measurements, citations, or quotes from credible sources. opinions show up through subjective language, personal beliefs, or persuasive aims—words like think, believe, should, best, or language that reveals a feeling about the topic.

The best choice describes facts as verifiable statements and opinions as beliefs or judgments, and it advises looking for evidence for facts and subjective language for opinions. Choices that say facts are opinions or that opinions are verifiable don’t fit how we distinguish evidence from belief, and saying there is no difference ignores how we verify information.