Objective Vs Subjective: Distinguishing A Summary From Personal Opinion Quiz

1. Passage Main Idea: The new law increases the minimum wage to $\15 per hour. Which sentence is an objective summary?

The new law, which is a great idea, increases the minimum wage to $\15 per hour.

The new law unfairly increases the minimum wage to $\15 per hour.

The new law increases the minimum wage to $\15 per hour.

The new law, which should have been passed sooner, increases the minimum wage.

The objective summary must report the facts neutrally without adding any subjective judgment (like 'great idea,' 'unfairly,' or 'should have been passed sooner').

Explanation

The objective summary must report the facts neutrally without adding any subjective judgment (like 'great idea,' 'unfairly,' or 'should have been passed sooner').

2. An objective summary focuses only on the original author’s ideas and verifiable _______ from the text.

An objective summary must stick strictly to the verifiable information and ideas presented in the original source, excluding any personal feelings or judgments of the summarizer.

Explanation

An objective summary must stick strictly to the verifiable information and ideas presented in the original source, excluding any personal feelings or judgments of the summarizer.

Submit

3. A summary that includes the statement, ‘This is the best solution for the problem,’ is still an objective summary.

True

False

This is false. The word 'best' is a superlative adjective that expresses a personal opinion or subjective evaluation, which introduces bias and makes the summary subjective, not objective.

Explanation

This is false. The word 'best' is a superlative adjective that expresses a personal opinion or subjective evaluation, which introduces bias and makes the summary subjective, not objective.

4. Which word or phrase in a summary signals that the writer is including a personal opinion?

The author stated

According to the text

I believe

The evidence shows

The phrase 'I believe' is an explicit clue that the writer is inserting their own personal thought or conviction, which introduces subjectivity into the summary.

Explanation

The phrase 'I believe' is an explicit clue that the writer is inserting their own personal thought or conviction, which introduces subjectivity into the summary.

5. Which sentences would introduce opinion or bias into a summary of a factual report? (Select all that apply)

The report shows that pollution is a serious problem.

The report proves that pollution is the most terrifying danger.

I feel the solutions in the report will not work.

The report concludes with three potential solutions.

B uses the subjective adjective 'terrifying.' C uses the explicit opinion clue 'I feel.' Both introduce personal bias, making the summary subjective.

Explanation

B uses the subjective adjective 'terrifying.' C uses the explicit opinion clue 'I feel.' Both introduce personal bias, making the summary subjective.

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6. The primary goal of an objective summary is to _______ the reader about the original text's content, not to persuade them.

Objective summaries are meant to be neutral accounts that simply relay the information from the original source without trying to influence the reader's beliefs or actions.

Explanation

Objective summaries are meant to be neutral accounts that simply relay the information from the original source without trying to influence the reader's beliefs or actions.

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7. Passage Main Idea: The space program launched a new rocket last night. Which sentence is part of an objective summary?

The wonderful space program launched a new rocket last night.

The space program launched a new rocket last night.

The government should have launched the new rocket last night.

The new rocket is too expensive.

Sentence B is the only statement that reports the verifiable event (the launch) without adding subjective adjectives ('wonderful'), value judgments ('should have'), or personal evaluations ('too expensive').

Explanation

Sentence B is the only statement that reports the verifiable event (the launch) without adding subjective adjectives ('wonderful'), value judgments ('should have'), or personal evaluations ('too expensive').

8. An objective summary should avoid any clue words that show personal feelings, thoughts, or judgments.

True

False

This is true. The definition of an objective summary is one that maintains a neutral, unbiased tone, which means avoiding any subjective language.

Explanation

This is true. The definition of an objective summary is one that maintains a neutral, unbiased tone, which means avoiding any subjective language.

9. Why is the summary sentence, ‘The politician’s speech was boring and long,’ considered subjective?

It correctly reports the length of the speech.

It is impossible to summarize a speech.

It uses subjective words like 'boring' and 'long' that reflect the summarizer's feeling.

The sentence starts with the politician's name.

Words like 'boring' and 'long' (used as a subjective critique) are based on the writer's personal experience and judgment, making the statement subjective (opinion) rather than objective.

Explanation

Words like 'boring' and 'long' (used as a subjective critique) are based on the writer's personal experience and judgment, making the statement subjective (opinion) rather than objective.

10. Which words or phrases are characteristic of an objective summary? (Select all that apply)

The text claims

I think

It is evident that

The author states

Both 'The text claims' and 'The author states' are objective framing devices that attribute the idea back to the original source, keeping the summary writer's voice neutral.

Explanation

Both 'The text claims' and 'The author states' are objective framing devices that attribute the idea back to the original source, keeping the summary writer's voice neutral.

Submit

11. To revise the biased statement, ‘The confusing article was about climate change,’ to be objective, you should remove the word _______.

Confusing' is a subjective adjective that reflects the summarizer's personal difficulty or judgment of the text. Removing it leaves the objective fact: the article was about climate change.

Explanation

Confusing' is a subjective adjective that reflects the summarizer's personal difficulty or judgment of the text. Removing it leaves the objective fact: the article was about climate change.

Submit

12. Passage: The town council voted 4 to 1 to change the road. Which is the most objective summary sentence?

The town council made an unwise decision and voted to change the road.

The town council voted 4 to 1 to change the road.

The town council voted to change the road, which is great for drivers.

The council's unfair vote was 4 to 1.

Option B reports the verifiable fact (the vote count and the action) neutrally, without adding any personal judgment like 'unwise,' 'great,' or 'unfair.'

Explanation

Option B reports the verifiable fact (the vote count and the action) neutrally, without adding any personal judgment like 'unwise,' 'great,' or 'unfair.'

13. The best way to check if a summary is objective is to ask if it only includes facts and avoids personal evaluations.

True

False

This is true. The key test for objectivity is the absence of any words that reflect the summarizer's personal preference, judgment, or feeling.

Explanation

This is true. The key test for objectivity is the absence of any words that reflect the summarizer's personal preference, judgment, or feeling.

14. A summary sentence that begins with the phrase, 'It is obvious that...' is most likely introducing what?

A simple fact that is universally known.

A subjective opinion or biased conclusion.

The author's main idea.

A verifiable statistic.

Phrases like 'It is obvious that...' or 'Clearly...' often signal a personal conclusion or interpretation (a form of bias/opinion) that the summarizer is presenting as if it were a universal truth.

Explanation

Phrases like 'It is obvious that...' or 'Clearly...' often signal a personal conclusion or interpretation (a form of bias/opinion) that the summarizer is presenting as if it were a universal truth.

15. If a summary uses words like 'essential' and 'must,' it is likely showing what? (Select all that apply)

The summarizer's personal bias.

A sense of strong judgment.

The author's main idea.

The original text's topic.

Essential' is a subjective evaluation of necessity, and 'must' is a strong modal verb showing judgment. These words reflect the summarizer's bias and judgment, not neutral reporting.

Explanation

Essential' is a subjective evaluation of necessity, and 'must' is a strong modal verb showing judgment. These words reflect the summarizer's bias and judgment, not neutral reporting.

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16. A summary should report the author's overall _______, which is their main purpose or claim.

An objective summary must capture the author's final conclusion or main claim, ensuring it is reported without the summarizer's personal commentary.

Explanation

An objective summary must capture the author's final conclusion or main claim, ensuring it is reported without the summarizer's personal commentary.

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17. Which revision makes the sentence 'The terrible storm caused $\1 million in damage' an objective statement?

The storm caused an unbelievable $\1 million in damage.

The storm caused $\1 million in damage.

The storm should have been avoided, causing $\1 million in damage.

The severe storm caused $\1 million in damage.

By removing the subjective word 'terrible' and reporting the verifiable financial fact neutrally, the sentence becomes objective.

Explanation

By removing the subjective word 'terrible' and reporting the verifiable financial fact neutrally, the sentence becomes objective.

18. The main goal of an objective summary is to use the strongest emotional language possible to reflect the original author's passion.

True

False

This is false. The goal is to report the content neutrally. Using strong emotional language introduces bias and defeats the purpose of an objective summary.

Explanation

This is false. The goal is to report the content neutrally. Using strong emotional language introduces bias and defeats the purpose of an objective summary.

19. A summary that uses neutral, verifiable terms and does not include the summarizer’s personal views is considered:

Subjective

Biased

Persuasive

Objective

The term Objective means free from personal feelings or bias, relying only on facts and verifiable information from the text.

Explanation

The term Objective means free from personal feelings or bias, relying only on facts and verifiable information from the text.

20. Which techniques should a writer use to ensure their summary is objective? (Select all that apply)

Use the original author's name to frame ideas.

Use only subjective adjectives.

Report numerical data accurately.

Focus only on the main ideas and major supporting facts.

Using the author's name (A) maintains neutrality. Reporting data accurately (C) ensures factuality. Focusing on the main structure (D) prevents getting lost in personal interpretations.

Explanation

Using the author's name (A) maintains neutrality. Reporting data accurately (C) ensures factuality. Focusing on the main structure (D) prevents getting lost in personal interpretations.

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Objective vs Subjective: Distinguishing a Summary from Personal Opinion Quiz