Reading Comprehension Fact, Opinion and Author's Bias 2

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?

Accepted Answer

The Colosseum in Rome was completed in 80 AD and could hold up to 80,000 spectators.

Answer

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?

Accepted Answer

It is by far the best blender on the market and anyone who buys any other brand is wasting their money.

Answer

'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?

Accepted Answer

The author supports vaccines and views the anti-vaccine claim as scientifically unfounded.

Answer

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?

Accepted Answer

Space exploration is an expensive waste of resources that could better serve people here on Earth.

Answer

'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?

Accepted Answer

Calling 54% a 'landslide' and claiming it 'proves' endorsement of her entire platform overstates the meaning of the result.

Answer

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.

Reading Comprehension Practice Test

Reading Comprehension Practice Test

Reading Comprehension Fact, Opinion and Author's Bias 2