How can you distinguish a fact from an opinion in a text?

• A. Facts are based on feelings; opinions are based on data.
• B. Facts are subjective; opinions are objective.
• C. Facts are verifiable; opinions express beliefs or judgments.
• D. Facts are always wrong; opinions are always right.

Answer: (C)

Distinguishing facts from opinions hinges on verifiability. Facts are statements that can be checked against evidence, measurements, or observable phenomena and can be proven true or false. Opinions express beliefs, judgments, or preferences about something and depend on perspective; they aren’t universally provable in the same way. So the idea that facts are verifiable and opinions express beliefs or judgments captures the practical difference you’ll see in most texts, which is why it’s the best choice. For example, “The Earth orbits the Sun” can be verified with data, while “The Sun is the most beautiful star” is an opinion. The other statements mix up objectivity/subjectivity or make unfounded claims about how facts and feelings relate.