Purpose Facts vs Opinions Quiz

1. What is the main purpose of an author including verifiable facts in an informative text?

To express a personal belief about the topic.

To entertain the reader with interesting trivia.

To establish credibility and support a claim with evidence.

To show the author's creativity and imagination.

Facts are objective, verifiable pieces of information used primarily to establish credibility and provide solid evidence that supports an author's claims or arguments.

Explanation

Facts are objective, verifiable pieces of information used primarily to establish credibility and provide solid evidence that supports an author's claims or arguments.

2. Authors typically use opinions within an argumentative text to try to _______ the reader.

Opinions appeal to the reader's emotions and values, which is the primary technique authors use to persuade or influence the reader's beliefs or actions.

Explanation

Opinions appeal to the reader's emotions and values, which is the primary technique authors use to persuade or influence the reader's beliefs or actions.

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3. If an author uses mostly facts, their primary purpose is usually to persuade the reader to agree with them.

True

False

This is false. Texts relying mainly on facts are designed to inform, explain, or establish truth (e.g., historical or scientific texts), while persuasion uses more opinion and emotional language.

Explanation

This is false. Texts relying mainly on facts are designed to inform, explain, or establish truth (e.g., historical or scientific texts), while persuasion uses more opinion and emotional language.

4. What is the likely purpose of an author who states, ‘I believe mandatory recycling is the only way to save our city’s environment’?

To provide a scientific finding.

To entertain the reader with a story.

To persuade the reader to support a specific action.

To describe a historical event.

The opinion clue 'I believe' and the strong language ('only way') show the author's intent is to persuade the reader to adopt their view on recycling.

Explanation

The opinion clue 'I believe' and the strong language ('only way') show the author's intent is to persuade the reader to adopt their view on recycling.

5. Which statements about the purpose of facts are true? (Select all that apply)

They are used to prove a statement is true.

They are meant to express personal feelings.

They make the author appear knowledgeable and trustworthy.

They are essential for a persuasive argument to be strong.

Facts are used to prove claims, build credibility, and provide the objective evidence necessary for a strong argument, whether persuasive or informative.

Explanation

Facts are used to prove claims, build credibility, and provide the objective evidence necessary for a strong argument, whether persuasive or informative.

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6. An author describes a movie as ‘The most beautiful and meaningful film of the decade.’ What is the primary purpose of this opinion?

To give accurate, objective information about the film's budget.

To inform the reader about the film’s release date.

To influence the reader's feelings about the film.

To describe the plot in detail.

Subjective adjectives like 'beautiful' and 'meaningful' are used to express an evaluation and influence the reader's positive opinion and feelings towards the subject.

Explanation

Subjective adjectives like 'beautiful' and 'meaningful' are used to express an evaluation and influence the reader's positive opinion and feelings towards the subject.

7. When an author presents a verifiable statistic, they are using a _______ to _______ their main argument.

Statistics are facts that serve the purpose of supporting or validating the main claim or argument with concrete, objective data.

Explanation

Statistics are facts that serve the purpose of supporting or validating the main claim or argument with concrete, objective data.

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8. If a text contains a high number of opinion words (like best, should, terrible), the author's main goal is probably to inform the reader objectively.

True

False

This is false. A heavy reliance on opinion words signals a persuasive text, as the author is trying to sway the reader's judgment rather than just present objective information.

Explanation

This is false. A heavy reliance on opinion words signals a persuasive text, as the author is trying to sway the reader's judgment rather than just present objective information.

9. An author writes, ‘The new law, which was signed on Tuesday, will unfairly punish small businesses.’ What is the purpose of stating the fact that the law ‘was signed on Tuesday’?

To persuade the reader that the law is unfair.

To give credibility to the statement about the new law.

To express the author's disapproval of the law.

To distract the reader from the main argument.

Stating a verifiable detail (the signing date) provides a foundation of truth, establishing credibility for the entire sentence, including the opinion about it being 'unfair.'

Explanation

Stating a verifiable detail (the signing date) provides a foundation of truth, establishing credibility for the entire sentence, including the opinion about it being 'unfair.'

10. If a sentence contains the words ‘I believe,’ which purposes is the author aiming for? (Select all that apply)

To introduce a subjective judgment.

To provide verifiable evidence.

To tell the reader what they think.

To inform the reader of a consensus.

The phrase 'I believe' is used to introduce a personal, subjective judgment and lets the reader know what the author's personal viewpoint (opinion) is.

Explanation

The phrase 'I believe' is used to introduce a personal, subjective judgment and lets the reader know what the author's personal viewpoint (opinion) is.

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11. In a history textbook, what is the main purpose of the sentence: ‘George Washington was born in 1732’?

To persuade students to like history.

To provide basic, necessary information to build historical knowledge.

To share the author's personal feelings about Washington.

To entertain the reader with a fun fact.

Basic historical facts are included in informative texts like textbooks to build foundational knowledge, which is the primary purpose of information.

Explanation

Basic historical facts are included in informative texts like textbooks to build foundational knowledge, which is the primary purpose of information.

12. Opinions are often used to make a piece of writing more _______ and memorable.

Opinions, especially when strongly worded or based on emotion, can make a text more engaging and memorable to a reader than a simple list of facts.

Explanation

Opinions, especially when strongly worded or based on emotion, can make a text more engaging and memorable to a reader than a simple list of facts.

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13. An author can use a fact (e.g., The average temperature rose 2 degrees this year) as evidence to support an opinion (e.g., We should limit pollution).

True

False

This is true. Facts provide the concrete, objective evidence necessary to back up and strengthen a persuasive argument or opinion.

Explanation

This is true. Facts provide the concrete, objective evidence necessary to back up and strengthen a persuasive argument or opinion.

14. What is the purpose of the opinion in the sentence: ‘Students should have a longer lunch break because studies show better nutrition leads to higher grades’?

To provide the statistical evidence.

To state the recommended course of action.

To establish the main claim as a fact.

To inform the reader about the study.

The word 'should' is a persuasive clue, stating the author's recommended action (the opinion) that the supporting fact (studies) is meant to justify.

Explanation

The word 'should' is a persuasive clue, stating the author's recommended action (the opinion) that the supporting fact (studies) is meant to justify.

15. Which statements are used by authors primarily for the purpose of persuasion? (Select all that apply)

This decision was absolutely wrong.

The new tax will raise $\5 million.

We must act now to save the environment.

Scientists estimate the asteroid is 1 mile wide.

A uses the strong, subjective judgment 'absolutely wrong.' C uses the forceful modal 'must' combined with an appeal to action. These are persuasive elements.

Explanation

A uses the strong, subjective judgment 'absolutely wrong.' C uses the forceful modal 'must' combined with an appeal to action. These are persuasive elements.

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16. If an author includes a personal story about how much they hate waiting in line, their purpose is to connect with the reader through a shared _______ or feeling.

Personal opinions or anecdotes are often used to appeal to the reader's emotions (pathos) or common experience, making the argument more relatable and engaging.

Explanation

Personal opinions or anecdotes are often used to appeal to the reader's emotions (pathos) or common experience, making the argument more relatable and engaging.

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17. If a sentence is entirely a fact, its main purpose in a text is to:

Summarize the author's conclusion.

Provide background or evidence.

Show the author's emotional commitment.

Predict a future event.

Facts serve as building blocks, providing necessary background information or serving as concrete evidence to support the author's claims.

Explanation

Facts serve as building blocks, providing necessary background information or serving as concrete evidence to support the author's claims.

18. In a text focused on persuading, the facts are often included to make the opinions seem more truthful and reliable.

True

False

This is true. Facts lend authority (ethos) to the author and the argument, making the author's subsequent or surrounding opinions appear more trustworthy and well-supported.

Explanation

This is true. Facts lend authority (ethos) to the author and the argument, making the author's subsequent or surrounding opinions appear more trustworthy and well-supported.

19. What is the primary purpose of the opinion in the sentence: ‘The city’s decision to ban scooters was unwise’?

To provide legal details of the ban.

To express the author's negative evaluation of the decision.

To inform the reader that a ban occurred.

To describe the scooters.

The subjective adjective 'unwise' is an evaluation that expresses the author's negative judgment or feeling toward the city's action.

Explanation

The subjective adjective 'unwise' is an evaluation that expresses the author's negative judgment or feeling toward the city's action.

20. Which type of evidence is essential for establishing verifiable truth in a text? (Select all that apply)

Opinions

Anecdotes

Statistics

Expert Testimony

Statistics (quantifiable facts) and Expert Testimony (verifiable data from a credible source) are objective, verifiable forms of evidence used to establish truth (fact). Opinions and anecdotes are subjective.

Explanation

Statistics (quantifiable facts) and Expert Testimony (verifiable data from a credible source) are objective, verifiable forms of evidence used to establish truth (fact). Opinions and anecdotes are subjective.

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Author Intent: Understanding the Purpose of Facts vs Opinions in a Text Quiz