Which option best distinguishes a factual statement from an opinion?

• A. Facts are unverifiable; opinions are verifiable
• B. Facts are always biased; opinions are neutral
• C. Facts are verifiable statements; opinions express judgments or interpretations and may reflect bias
• D. Facts are emotional; opinions are numerical

Answer: (C)

Distinguishing facts from opinions hinges on verifiability and evidence. Facts are statements that can be checked against reliable information or observed data; they aim to describe something that can be demonstrated or measured, even if people may interpret results differently. Opinions express judgments, interpretations, or values about something and can reflect personal bias or perspective; they’re not verifiable in the same objective way as facts.

That’s why the best description is that facts are verifiable statements, while opinions express judgments or interpretations and may reflect bias. The other options mischaracterize verifiability, neutrality, emotion, or numeracy: facts are not inherently unverifiable, not always biased, and are not inherently emotional, just as opinions are not inherently numerical.