Which statement best distinguishes a fact from an opinion?

• A. Facts are personal beliefs
• B. Facts can be verified through research; opinions are personal views
• C. Opinions can be verified through experiments
• D. Facts are always subjective

Answer: (B)

Understanding what counts as a fact versus an opinion comes down to verifiability. A fact is a statement that can be checked against evidence through research, measurements, or observation, describing something about the real world. An opinion is a personal view or judgment that reflects what someone thinks or feels and isn’t proven the same way by objective evidence.

The best choice captures this distinction: facts can be verified through research, while opinions are personal views. For example, “Water boils at 100°C at sea level” is something you can test and confirm, whereas “Chocolate is the best flavor” is a matter of personal taste.

The other ideas mix up these ideas: facts aren’t personal beliefs, opinions aren’t typically verifiable through experiments in the same objective sense, and facts aren’t inherently subjective.