Reading Comprehension Fact, Opinion and Author's Bias 2 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: A travel blog entry reads: "The Colosseum in Rome was completed in 80 AD and could hold up to 80,000 spectators. It is without question the most awe-inspiring structure humans have ever built." Question: Which sentence states a fact?
- The Colosseum in Rome was completed in 80 AD and could hold up to 80,000 spectators. (Correct answer)
- It is without question the most awe-inspiring structure humans have ever built.
- Both sentences state facts.
- Neither sentence states a verifiable fact.
Correct answer: The Colosseum in Rome was completed in 80 AD and could hold up to 80,000 spectators.
Completion date and seating capacity are historical facts that can be verified; 'most awe-inspiring' is a subjective evaluation.
Question 2: A product review states: "This blender has a 1,500-watt motor and a 64-ounce container. It is by far the best blender on the market and anyone who buys any other brand is wasting their money." Question: Which part of the review is an opinion?
- It is by far the best blender on the market and anyone who buys any other brand is wasting their money. (Correct answer)
- This blender has a 1,500-watt motor.
- It has a 64-ounce container.
- The blender was manufactured by a company.
Correct answer: It is by far the best blender on the market and anyone who buys any other brand is wasting their money.
'Best on the market' and 'wasting their money' are subjective judgments that depend on personal needs and comparisons; they cannot be objectively verified.
Question 3: A science textbook reads: "Vaccines work by introducing a weakened or inactivated form of a pathogen to stimulate the immune system. Some critics claim vaccines are unnecessary because modern hygiene alone can prevent most diseases — this belief is not supported by scientific evidence." Question: What is the author's stance?
- The author supports vaccines and views the anti-vaccine claim as scientifically unfounded. (Correct answer)
- The author is neutral and presents both sides equally.
- The author is biased against vaccines and favors hygiene.
- The author avoids making any judgment about vaccines.
Correct answer: The author supports vaccines and views the anti-vaccine claim as scientifically unfounded.
By stating that the anti-vaccine claim 'is not supported by scientific evidence,' the author clearly takes a pro-vaccine position while framing the opposing view as wrong.
Question 4: "The International Space Station has been continuously occupied since November 2000 and orbits Earth approximately 16 times per day. Space exploration is an expensive waste of resources that could better serve people here on Earth." Question: Which sentence is an opinion?
- Space exploration is an expensive waste of resources that could better serve people here on Earth. (Correct answer)
- The International Space Station has been continuously occupied since November 2000.
- The ISS orbits Earth approximately 16 times per day.
- The ISS is in orbit around Earth.
Correct answer: Space exploration is an expensive waste of resources that could better serve people here on Earth.
'Expensive waste' and 'could better serve' are value judgments about priorities; reasonable people disagree, making this an opinion rather than a fact.
Question 5: A news article about a local election reads: "Candidate A received 54% of the vote and won the mayoral race. She campaigned on reducing taxes and expanding public transit. Her landslide victory proves that voters overwhelmingly endorse her entire platform." Question: Where does the author introduce a biased interpretation?
- Calling 54% a 'landslide' and claiming it 'proves' endorsement of her entire platform overstates the meaning of the result. (Correct answer)
- Stating that she received 54% of the vote.
- Noting that she campaigned on taxes and transit.
- Saying she won the mayoral race.
Correct answer: Calling 54% a 'landslide' and claiming it 'proves' endorsement of her entire platform overstates the meaning of the result.
54% is a modest majority, not a 'landslide'; voters may support a candidate without endorsing every policy, so the word choices overstate and editorialize the outcome.
Question 6: An environmental report states: "Global average temperatures have risen by approximately 1.1°C since pre-industrial times. Fossil fuel combustion is the primary driver of this change according to 97% of climate scientists. Transitioning to renewable energy is the morally correct choice for all nations." Question: Which sentence is an opinion?
- Transitioning to renewable energy is the morally correct choice for all nations. (Correct answer)
- Global average temperatures have risen by approximately 1.1°C since pre-industrial times.
- Fossil fuel combustion is the primary driver according to 97% of climate scientists.
- Climate scientists have issued reports on global temperatures.
Correct answer: Transitioning to renewable energy is the morally correct choice for all nations.
'Morally correct choice' introduces an ethical judgment that goes beyond scientific data and reflects the author's values rather than a measurable fact.
Question 7: A book review reads: "The novel is set in 1920s Paris and features a cast of expatriate American writers. The author uses long, meandering sentences that make the book nearly unreadable. However, the historical research behind the novel is thorough." Question: How would you characterize this review?
- It mixes facts (setting, cast type, historical research quality) with the reviewer's opinions (sentence style, readability). (Correct answer)
- It contains only facts about the novel.
- It contains only the reviewer's opinions.
- It is entirely biased in favor of the novel.
Correct answer: It mixes facts (setting, cast type, historical research quality) with the reviewer's opinions (sentence style, readability).
Setting and cast type are verifiable; 'nearly unreadable' and 'thorough research' are evaluative judgments that reflect the reviewer's perspective.
Reading Comprehension Fact, Opinion and Author's Bias 2
A travel blog entry reads: "The Colosseum in Rome was completed in 80 AD and could hold up to 80,000 spectators.
It is without question the most awe-inspiring structure humans have ever built." Question: Which sentence states a fact?