Which statement about facts and opinions best supports evaluating sources?

• A. Opinions are always more accurate than facts.
• B. Facts can be verified; opinions cannot be questioned.
• C. Facts and opinions are interchangeable depending on the reader.
• D. A fact is verifiable; an opinion is a judgment or belief; look for evidence and language indicating certainty or subjectivity.

Answer: (D)

Evaluating sources rests on distinguishing what can be verified from what expresses a belief. A fact is something that can be checked against evidence, data, or an authoritative source. An opinion is a judgment or belief that reflects a reader or author’s viewpoint. When you read a source, look for evidence—numbers, dates, citations, examples—that support factual statements. You also notice language that signals certainty or subjectivity: words like “certainly,” “proven,” or “must” suggest the claim is presented as fact, while words like “believe,” “perhaps,” or “may,” and adjectives that express certainty, signal an opinion. This approach helps you judge reliability and determine what is supported by evidence.