Reading Comprehension Fact, Opinion and Author's Bias 5

Question 1

"Shakespeare wrote 37 plays and 154 sonnets during his lifetime. His works are the most beautiful and profound pieces of literature ever written in the English language." Question: Which sentence is a fact?

Accepted Answer

Shakespeare wrote 37 plays and 154 sonnets during his lifetime.

Answer

The number of plays and sonnets is a documented, countable fact; 'most beautiful and profound ever written' is a superlative aesthetic judgment.

Question 2

An op-ed about immigration reads: "Immigration levels to this country have doubled over the past decade. Immigrants are taking jobs from native-born workers and draining public resources. Stricter border controls are the only sensible solution." Question: What bias does the author display?

Accepted Answer

The author presents a negative view of immigration without acknowledging economic contributions immigrants make or alternative policy views.

Answer

The author uses negative framing ('taking jobs,' 'draining resources') without presenting counterevidence and calls one controversial policy 'the only sensible solution,' revealing anti-immigration bias.

Question 3

"The Eiffel Tower was completed in 1889 and stands 330 meters tall. It attracts about 7 million visitors each year. Paris is obviously the most romantic city in the world." Question: Which sentence is an opinion?

Accepted Answer

Paris is obviously the most romantic city in the world.

Answer

'Most romantic city in the world' is a subjective ranking based on feelings; the tower's height, construction date, and visitor numbers are measurable.

Question 4

A health magazine states: "A 2024 study found that adults who sleep fewer than 6 hours per night have a 30% higher risk of cardiovascular disease. Getting enough sleep is the most important thing you can do for your health — far more important than diet or exercise." Question: Where does opinion appear?

Accepted Answer

Getting enough sleep is the most important thing — far more important than diet or exercise — is an opinion that ranks health factors subjectively.

Answer

The 30% risk increase comes from a study and is a measurable fact; ranking sleep as 'most important… far more than diet or exercise' is a value judgment unsupported by the study alone.

Question 5

A news report reads: "The city council voted 7–2 to approve the new stadium. Supporters argue it will create 2,000 construction jobs. Critics say the $500 million cost is too high given the city's underfunded schools." Question: What approach does this passage demonstrate?

Accepted Answer

Balanced reporting that presents both supporters' and critics' perspectives.

Answer

The report states the factual vote count and then presents both the pro side (jobs) and the con side (cost vs. schools), which is the hallmark of balanced journalism.

Reading Comprehension Practice Test

Reading Comprehension Practice Test

Reading Comprehension Fact, Opinion and Author's Bias 5