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Difficulty: EasyDistinguishing Fact from Opinion

An excerpt from an environmental audio report states the following:

"Welcome to 'Ecos del Sur.' Today we report on conservation efforts in the Monteverde reserve. The forestry department recorded that local volunteers planted 12,000 native saplings during the last rainy season. In my view, this is the most enjoyable volunteer initiative in Central America. We believe that all citizens should spend their weekends planting trees, as it is clearly the best method to protect nature."

Which of the following statements from the audio report represents a verifiable fact?

  1. A
    Participating in reforestation is the most enjoyable volunteer initiative in Central America.
  2. Local volunteers planted 12,000 native saplings during the last rainy season.Answer
  3. C
    All citizens should spend their weekends planting trees.
  4. D
    Reforestation is clearly the best method to protect nature.

Answer

Local volunteers planted 12,000 native saplings during the last rainy season.
The statement reporting that local volunteers planted 12,000 native saplings is an objective fact because it describes a concrete, measurable action documented by an official entity (the forestry department) without subjective value judgments.

Step-by-Step Solution

1
Analyze the statements from the transcript to identify linguistic markers of subjectivity versus objectivity.
Subjective statements use opinion markers such as 'in my view,' 'we believe,' and evaluative adjectives like 'most enjoyable' and 'best.' The statement regarding the 12,000 saplings cites recorded quantitative data from the forestry department.
Differentiating between personal judgment and empirical evidence is the core requirement for distinguishing facts from opinions.
2
Select the statement that is empirically verifiable and independent of personal belief.
The number of saplings planted is an objective historical event documented with specific figures.
A fact can be proven true or false through records, measurements, or observation.

Key Concept

Distinguishing Fact from Opinion in Audio Reports
Estimated Time:45s
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Distinguishing Fact from Opinion

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