Sorting Facts Opinions Quiz

1. Which of these statements from a paragraph is the clearest opinion?

The bridge was built in 1985.

I believe the bridge is too narrow for all the traffic.

The bridge crosses the river.

The bridge is 500 meters long.

The phrase 'I believe' is a strong clue that the statement is a personal viewpoint or judgment that cannot be verified as true for everyone, making it an opinion.

Explanation

The phrase 'I believe' is a strong clue that the statement is a personal viewpoint or judgment that cannot be verified as true for everyone, making it an opinion.

2. To find the opinions in a paragraph, you should look for:

Dates and numbers.

Verifiable information.

Subjective adjectives and judgmental words.

Names of people and places.

Opinions are signaled by words that describe personal feelings, judgments, or preferences, such as 'ugly,' 'best,' 'I think,' or 'delicious.'

Explanation

Opinions are signaled by words that describe personal feelings, judgments, or preferences, such as 'ugly,' 'best,' 'I think,' or 'delicious.'

3. The statement ‘Running is the most fun sport’ contains a clue word that signals a fact.

True

False

This is false. The clue word 'most fun' is a superlative adjective expressing a personal preference or judgment, which signals an opinion, not a fact.

Explanation

This is false. The clue word 'most fun' is a superlative adjective expressing a personal preference or judgment, which signals an opinion, not a fact.

4. In a paragraph, a statement that includes a date (e.g., The museum opened on May 1st) is always a fact.

True

False

This is true. Dates are specific, verifiable pieces of information, and statements that assert a specific date for an event are considered factual.

Explanation

This is true. Dates are specific, verifiable pieces of information, and statements that assert a specific date for an event are considered factual.

5. Which statement in a paragraph is a fact?

The painting is ugly.

The painting was completed in 1889.

The painting is too big for the wall.

The painting should be moved.

The date of completion (1889) is a piece of verifiable, historical information, making it a fact. The other statements are subjective judgments or opinions.

Explanation

The date of completion (1889) is a piece of verifiable, historical information, making it a fact. The other statements are subjective judgments or opinions.

6. The sentence ‘Our government wasted money on the new road’ is a factual statement because it uses the word 'money.'

True

False

This is false. The word 'wasted' is a subjective, judgmental term. While the spending itself is a fact, labeling it as 'wasted' is an opinion.

Explanation

This is false. The word 'wasted' is a subjective, judgmental term. While the spending itself is a fact, labeling it as 'wasted' is an opinion.

7. If a statement in a paragraph can be argued or debated, it is most likely a(n):

Fact

Verifiable event

Opinion

Piece of evidence

Opinions are based on personal viewpoints and feelings, which makes them open to argument and debate, unlike facts, which are verifiable.

Explanation

Opinions are based on personal viewpoints and feelings, which makes them open to argument and debate, unlike facts, which are verifiable.

8. If a sentence in a paragraph states a law, like ‘All cars must stop at a red light,’ it is a fact, even though it dictates behavior.

True

False

This is true. Rules, laws, and verified regulations are considered factual because they are verifiable sources of information, even if they contain the word 'must.'

Explanation

This is true. Rules, laws, and verified regulations are considered factual because they are verifiable sources of information, even if they contain the word 'must.'

9. Select the facts in this text about a dog: ‘Our dog is a Labrador Retriever. I feel he is the friendliest dog in the neighborhood. He weighs 75 pounds. He has the best smile.’

Our dog is a Labrador Retriever.

I feel he is the friendliest dog in the neighborhood.

He weighs 75 pounds.

He has the best smile.

A (breed) and C (weight) are verifiable with documents or a scale, making them facts. B ('friendliest') and D ('best smile') are based on personal feelings ('I feel') and subjective adjectives ('best'), making them opinions.

Explanation

A (breed) and C (weight) are verifiable with documents or a scale, making them facts. B ('friendliest') and D ('best smile') are based on personal feelings ('I feel') and subjective adjectives ('best'), making them opinions.

Submit

10. Read the paragraph and select all the factual statements: ‘The school is three stories tall. I think the green paint looks terrible. It has 500 students. Our principal is the best in the state.’

The school is three stories tall.

I think the green paint looks terrible.

It has 500 students.

Our principal is the best in the state.

Statement A (three stories tall) and C (500 students) can be verified and counted, making them facts. B ('terrible') and D ('best') use subjective words that signal personal opinions.

Explanation

Statement A (three stories tall) and C (500 students) can be verified and counted, making them facts. B ('terrible') and D ('best') use subjective words that signal personal opinions.

Submit

11. Which statement from a paragraph could be easily verified by looking it up in a book or online?

Math is the hardest subject in school.

Everyone should read the classic novels.

The author won the award in 2010.

The ending of the story was disappointing.

Finding when an award was won is a verifiable event in history (a fact). The other statements are subjective judgments or opinions.

Explanation

Finding when an award was won is a verifiable event in history (a fact). The other statements are subjective judgments or opinions.

12. Read the paragraph and identify the factual statements: ‘Our new park is perfect for families. It covers three acres of land. The park should have a bigger playground. It opened last Saturday.’

Our new park is perfect for families.

It covers three acres of land.

The park should have a bigger playground.

It opened last Saturday.

B (three acres) and D (opened last Saturday) provide measurable or verifiable data points, making them facts. A ('perfect') and C ('should have') are subjective judgments or opinions.

Explanation

B (three acres) and D (opened last Saturday) provide measurable or verifiable data points, making them facts. A ('perfect') and C ('should have') are subjective judgments or opinions.

Submit

13. The word ‘should’ in a sentence indicates a feeling of obligation or a recommendation, which is always a(n) _______.

Words like 'should,' 'must,' or 'ought to' express a value judgment or suggestion, which falls under the category of opinion.

Explanation

Words like 'should,' 'must,' or 'ought to' express a value judgment or suggestion, which falls under the category of opinion.

Submit

14. The statement in the paragraph, ‘Cats sleep for many hours each day,’ is a _______.

This statement can be verified through scientific observation and research on cat behavior, making it a verifiable fact.

Explanation

This statement can be verified through scientific observation and research on cat behavior, making it a verifiable fact.

Submit

15. The statement ‘In my opinion, the blue car is faster’ contains the phrase _______, which clearly signals an opinion.

This phrase is the strongest clue that the statement is based on the speaker's personal view and not on objective, verifiable data.

Explanation

This phrase is the strongest clue that the statement is based on the speaker's personal view and not on objective, verifiable data.

Submit

16. Identify the opinion statements in the text: ‘The movie theatre was crowded last night. The movie was terrible and ended late. Everyone should demand a refund.’

The movie theatre was crowded last night.

The movie was terrible and ended late.

The movie was terrible.

Everyone should demand a refund.

C ('terrible') is a subjective adjective. D ('should demand') is a value judgment/recommendation. A ('crowded') and the second part of B ('ended late') are verifiable facts.

Explanation

C ('terrible') is a subjective adjective. D ('should demand') is a value judgment/recommendation. A ('crowded') and the second part of B ('ended late') are verifiable facts.

Submit

17. A good test to check if a statement is a fact is to ask: ‘Can this statement be _______?’

Facts must be supported by evidence, data, or observation; they must be provable or verifiable as true or false.

Explanation

Facts must be supported by evidence, data, or observation; they must be provable or verifiable as true or false.

Submit

18. Which statement from a paragraph is most clearly an opinion? (Select all that apply)

The river flows south.

We believe the water is too cold to swim in.

The fish in the lake are colorful.

This type of tree loses its leaves in autumn.

B uses the clue 'We believe.' C uses the subjective adjective 'colorful.' Both indicate a personal viewpoint or judgment. A and D are verifiable facts.

Explanation

B uses the clue 'We believe.' C uses the subjective adjective 'colorful.' Both indicate a personal viewpoint or judgment. A and D are verifiable facts.

Submit

19. Read the paragraph and select all the opinion statements: ‘The ocean is very deep. The waves are frightening and loud. Sharks are the coolest animals in the water. Swimming in the sea is dangerous.’

The ocean is very deep.

The waves are frightening and loud.

Sharks are the coolest animals in the water.

Swimming in the sea is dangerous.

B ('frightening'), C ('coolest'), and D ('dangerous') are all subjective adjectives or judgments that cannot be proven true for everyone, making them opinions. A is a verifiable, scientific fact.

Explanation

B ('frightening'), C ('coolest'), and D ('dangerous') are all subjective adjectives or judgments that cannot be proven true for everyone, making them opinions. A is a verifiable, scientific fact.

Submit

20. The statement ‘This brand of shoes is better than that one’ is an opinion because the word ‘better’ is a _______ comparison.

Better' is a comparative form that relies on personal judgment (preference, quality, comfort) and cannot be objectively proven true for all people, making it an opinion.

Explanation

Better' is a comparative form that relies on personal judgment (preference, quality, comfort) and cannot be objectively proven true for all people, making it an opinion.

Submit

Critical Reading: Sorting Facts and Opinions in a Paragraph Quiz

1. Which of these statements from a paragraph is the clearest opinion?

2. To find the opinions in a paragraph, you should look for:

3. The statement ‘Running is the most fun sport’ contains a clue word that signals a fact.

4. In a paragraph, a statement that includes a date (e.g., The museum opened on May 1st) is always a fact.

5. Which statement in a paragraph is a fact?

6. The sentence ‘Our government wasted money on the new road’ is a factual statement because it uses the word 'money.'

7. If a statement in a paragraph can be argued or debated, it is most likely a(n):

8. If a sentence in a paragraph states a law, like ‘All cars must stop at a red light,’ it is a fact, even though it dictates behavior.

9. Select the facts in this text about a dog: ‘Our dog is a Labrador Retriever. I feel he is the friendliest dog in the neighborhood. He weighs 75 pounds. He has the best smile.’

10. Read the paragraph and select all the factual statements: ‘The school is three stories tall. I think the green paint looks terrible. It has 500 students. Our principal is the best in the state.’

11. Which statement from a paragraph could be easily verified by looking it up in a book or online?

12. Read the paragraph and identify the factual statements: ‘Our new park is perfect for families. It covers three acres of land. The park should have a bigger playground. It opened last Saturday.’

13. The word ‘should’ in a sentence indicates a feeling of obligation or a recommendation, which is always a(n) _______.

14. The statement in the paragraph, ‘Cats sleep for many hours each day,’ is a _______.

15. The statement ‘In my opinion, the blue car is faster’ contains the phrase _______, which clearly signals an opinion.

16. Identify the opinion statements in the text: ‘The movie theatre was crowded last night. The movie was terrible and ended late. Everyone should demand a refund.’

17. A good test to check if a statement is a fact is to ask: ‘Can this statement be _______?’

18. Which statement from a paragraph is most clearly an opinion? (Select all that apply)

19. Read the paragraph and select all the opinion statements: ‘The ocean is very deep. The waves are frightening and loud. Sharks are the coolest animals in the water. Swimming in the sea is dangerous.’

20. The statement ‘This brand of shoes is better than that one’ is an opinion because the word ‘better’ is a _______ comparison.