Fact Opinion Judgment Quiz

1. Is this statement a fact, opinion, or reasoned judgment: 'Experts agree that climate change will continue unless carbon emissions are reduced.'

Fact

Opinion

Reasoned Judgment

Unfounded Claim

This statement is a Reasoned Judgment because it is a conclusion or prediction drawn from verifiable data and research (facts), but it is a projection about the future that cannot be proven definitively today.

Explanation

This statement is a Reasoned Judgment because it is a conclusion or prediction drawn from verifiable data and research (facts), but it is a projection about the future that cannot be proven definitively today.

2. A statement that can be proven true or false using evidence, observation, or reliable data is a _______.

A fact is an objective statement that is verifiable, meaning its truth or falsehood can be confirmed through external sources, measurements, or evidence.

Explanation

A fact is an objective statement that is verifiable, meaning its truth or falsehood can be confirmed through external sources, measurements, or evidence.

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3. A Reasoned Judgment is essentially the same as a purely subjective Opinion because both are debatable.

True

False

This is false. While both are debatable, an Opinion is based on personal feelings/preference, whereas a Reasoned Judgment is grounded in objective evidence and logic, giving it authority.

Explanation

This is false. While both are debatable, an Opinion is based on personal feelings/preference, whereas a Reasoned Judgment is grounded in objective evidence and logic, giving it authority.

4. Which type of statement is indicated by subjective clue words like 'best,' 'worst,' or 'beautiful'?

Fact

Opinion

Reasoned Judgment

Objective Evidence

These subjective adjectives express a personal feeling, taste, or evaluation, which are the hallmarks of a simple, subjective Opinion.

Explanation

These subjective adjectives express a personal feeling, taste, or evaluation, which are the hallmarks of a simple, subjective Opinion.

5. Which statements below are examples of a Reasoned Judgment? (Select all that apply)

Students who study less than two hours a night will probably see their grades drop.

The Earth's core is composed of iron and nickel.

Because the defense budget has been cut, our nation's security will be weakened.

Pizza is the most delicious food ever created.

A is a projection based on the correlation between study time and grades (evidence). C is a prediction of an outcome ('will be weakened') based on a verifiable action (budget cut), making both informed conclusions.

Explanation

A is a projection based on the correlation between study time and grades (evidence). C is a prediction of an outcome ('will be weakened') based on a verifiable action (budget cut), making both informed conclusions.

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6. A conclusion that is supported by evidence but is still open to future verification or debate is called a Reasoned _______.

A Reasoned Judgment (or informed opinion) is a thoughtful conclusion that recognizes it is an interpretation of facts, not a fact itself, and is often presented as an argument.

Explanation

A Reasoned Judgment (or informed opinion) is a thoughtful conclusion that recognizes it is an interpretation of facts, not a fact itself, and is often presented as an argument.

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7. Is this statement a fact, opinion, or reasoned judgment: ‘The average yearly rainfall in Seattle is 38 inches.’

Fact

Opinion

Reasoned Judgment

Personal Belief

This statement is a Fact because the measurement can be verified, collected, and documented by meteorological data, making it objective and provable.

Explanation

This statement is a Fact because the measurement can be verified, collected, and documented by meteorological data, making it objective and provable.

8. A simple Opinion, unlike a Reasoned Judgment, does not need to be backed by any supporting evidence.

True

False

This is true. An opinion is inherently personal and subjective; its validity comes from the speaker's feeling ('I like it'), not external evidence.

Explanation

This is true. An opinion is inherently personal and subjective; its validity comes from the speaker's feeling ('I like it'), not external evidence.

9. Which statement is an example of a purely subjective Opinion?

The election occurred on Tuesday.

The politician is dishonest and should resign immediately.

The politician received 51% of the vote.

Polls predicted the politician would win.

The terms 'dishonest' and 'should resign' are strong subjective judgments and demands that express personal values and feelings, not verifiable data, making this a pure opinion.

Explanation

The terms 'dishonest' and 'should resign' are strong subjective judgments and demands that express personal values and feelings, not verifiable data, making this a pure opinion.

10. Select all the statements that are definite Facts:

The U.S. minimum wage is $\7.25 per hour.

Smoking should be banned in all public parks.

The new highway opened last week.

The new highway is too dangerous to drive on.

A (minimum wage) is a verifiable legal statistic, and C (opened last week) is a verifiable event in time. Both are objective facts. B and D are subjective judgments.

Explanation

A (minimum wage) is a verifiable legal statistic, and C (opened last week) is a verifiable event in time. Both are objective facts. B and D are subjective judgments.

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11. While Opinions are subjective and Facts are objective, a Reasoned Judgment attempts to bridge the two by being a conclusion based on _______.

Reasoned judgments are a conclusion drawn through a logical process, where objective evidence is used to support a subjective interpretation or prediction.

Explanation

Reasoned judgments are a conclusion drawn through a logical process, where objective evidence is used to support a subjective interpretation or prediction.

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12. Is this statement a fact, opinion, or reasoned judgment: ‘Due to record high sales, the company will likely need to hire more employees next quarter.’

Fact

Opinion

Reasoned Judgment

Wishful Thinking

This is a Reasoned Judgment because it is an educated prediction ('will likely need') based on current, verifiable data (record high sales), making it an informed conclusion, not just a guess.

Explanation

This is a Reasoned Judgment because it is an educated prediction ('will likely need') based on current, verifiable data (record high sales), making it an informed conclusion, not just a guess.

13. The key difference between a Fact and a Reasoned Judgment is that a Fact has already been proven or can be observed, while a Judgment is a conclusion about what will happen or what should be done.

True

False

This is true. Facts deal with what is or was true. Reasoned Judgments deal with interpretation, prediction, or recommendation based on those facts.

Explanation

This is true. Facts deal with what is or was true. Reasoned Judgments deal with interpretation, prediction, or recommendation based on those facts.

14. What is the main purpose of an author using a Reasoned Judgment in an argumentative essay?

To express a simple preference or dislike.

To provide objective, background information.

To offer a conclusion that leads the reader toward the author's argument.

To prove a statement is universally accepted.

A Reasoned Judgment is a claim or conclusion that an author uses to guide the reader through the evidence and arrive at the point the author is trying to make.

Explanation

A Reasoned Judgment is a claim or conclusion that an author uses to guide the reader through the evidence and arrive at the point the author is trying to make.

15. Which statements below are examples of purely subjective Opinion? (Select all that apply)

The city should not spend money on public art.

The new teacher is extremely strict.

The teacher has given out three detentions this week.

The mayor's speech was wonderful.

A ('should not spend') is a value judgment. B ('extremely strict') is a subjective evaluation. D ('wonderful') is a subjective feeling/preference. C is a verifiable count (fact).

Explanation

A ('should not spend') is a value judgment. B ('extremely strict') is a subjective evaluation. D ('wonderful') is a subjective feeling/preference. C is a verifiable count (fact).

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16. A prediction about a political or economic trend that is supported by statistics is a Reasoned _______, not a simple opinion.

When a prediction or conclusion is supported by quantifiable data (statistics), it moves beyond simple opinion and becomes a justifiable, evidence-based judgment.

Explanation

When a prediction or conclusion is supported by quantifiable data (statistics), it moves beyond simple opinion and becomes a justifiable, evidence-based judgment.

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17. A statement is a Fact if it:

Contains at least one number or date.

Can be verified by external evidence or observation.

Expresses a strong emotion or belief.

Is made by an expert in the field.

Verifiability is the single defining characteristic of a fact; it must be possible to prove or disprove the statement.

Explanation

Verifiability is the single defining characteristic of a fact; it must be possible to prove or disprove the statement.

18. Because a Reasoned Judgment is based on facts, it can never be proven wrong later.

True

False

This is false. A Reasoned Judgment, especially a prediction (e.g., about the economy), can be proven incorrect if future events or new evidence contradict the conclusion.

Explanation

This is false. A Reasoned Judgment, especially a prediction (e.g., about the economy), can be proven incorrect if future events or new evidence contradict the conclusion.

19. Which statement is the best example of a verifiable Fact?

The new school building is ugly.

The new school building cost $\20 million to construct.

The new school building should have cost less.

The new school building will need repairs soon.

The cost ($\20 million) is a specific, financial figure that can be verified through public records or invoices, making it a clear fact.

Explanation

The cost ($\20 million) is a specific, financial figure that can be verified through public records or invoices, making it a clear fact.

20. Which are characteristics of a Reasoned Judgment? (Select all that apply)

It is based on verifiable evidence or data.

It is a subjective statement of preference.

It requires logical interpretation to be made.

It can be debated, but not simply dismissed.

A Reasoned Judgment is evidence-based (A), requires logic/interpretation (C), and is debatable because it is a conclusion, but its basis in facts prevents it from being easily dismissed as pure opinion (D).

Explanation

A Reasoned Judgment is evidence-based (A), requires logic/interpretation (C), and is debatable because it is a conclusion, but its basis in facts prevents it from being easily dismissed as pure opinion (D).

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Detailed Analysis: Distinguishing Fact, Opinion, and Reasoned Judgment Quiz