Differentiate between between factual statements and opinions in the text.

• A. Facts are subjective interpretations; opinions are objective data
• B. Facts are untestable beliefs; opinions are unverifiable
• C. Facts are memories without verification
• D. Facts are verifiable statements; opinions express judgments or interpretations and may reflect bias

Answer: (D)

The main idea here is that facts and opinions are distinguished by verifiability and perspective. Facts are verifiable statements—claims that can be checked against evidence, data, or reliable sources. Opinions are judgments or interpretations—claims that express a personal view, value, or bias and may not be verifiable in the same objective way.

For example, saying “The river is 12 meters wide at this point” can be checked with a measurement, so it’s a fact. Saying “The river looks beautiful today” expresses a personal judgment and could reflect taste or mood, so it’s an opinion.

That’s why the correct option is the one that defines facts as verifiable statements and opinions as judgments or interpretations that may reflect bias. Other choices misstate what facts or opinions are—facts aren’t subjective interpretations or untestable beliefs, and memories aren’t what define a fact.