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Difficulty: EasyDistinguishing Fact from Opinion and Bias

Read the following passage from an article about Costa Rica's environmental policies:

"Costa Rica's Program for Payment of Environmental Services (PES), established in 1997, has paid landowners to preserve forest cover on over 1.3 million hectares of land. Under this system, funded primarily by a fuel tax, the country’s forest cover has doubled to cover nearly 60 percent of its territory. This initiative is undoubtedly the most brilliant environmental policy in Latin American history, demonstrating that financial incentives can solve deforestation. Critics, however, argue that the program disproportionately benefits large landowners, who already had the means to preserve their land, while smaller farmers struggle with the complex bureaucratic application process. Despite these administrative challenges, the PES program remains a flawless model for global conservation efforts."

Which of the following statements from the passage represents an opinion rather than a fact?

  1. A
    The program is funded primarily by a fuel tax.
  2. B
    Forest cover has doubled to cover nearly 60 percent of the territory.
  3. This initiative is the most brilliant environmental policy in Latin American history.Answer
  4. D
    The program was established in 1997.

Answer

The statement describing the initiative as the 'most brilliant environmental policy in Latin American history' represents an opinion.
The statement calling the program the 'most brilliant environmental policy in Latin American history' is an opinion because it relies on subjective evaluation and qualitative judgment ('most brilliant') that cannot be objectively verified.

Step-by-Step Solution

1
Identify the statements in the passage that can be objectively proven or disproven using data or historical records.
The establishment date (1997), the forest cover statistic (60 percent), and the funding source (fuel tax) are identified as verifiable facts.
Verifiable factual statements contain objective data points that do not rely on personal feelings or judgments.
2
Examine the remaining statement to determine if it contains subjective descriptors or value judgments.
The description of the program as the 'most brilliant environmental policy' is identified as subjective evaluation.
Opinions are characterized by qualitative adjectives and assertions that express a personal bias or emotional stance rather than empirical truth.

Key Concept

Distinguishing between verifiable facts and subjective opinions in journalistic writing.
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Distinguishing Fact from Opinion and Bias

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