What is the main difference between a fact and an opinion?

• A. A fact can be proven; an opinion is a belief or judgment that cannot be proven
• B. Facts are always true.
• C. Opinions are proven with data.
• D. Facts require emotion.

Answer: (A)

Facts are statements that can be proven with evidence, data, or reliable sources. Opinions are beliefs or judgments based on personal feelings, experiences, or preferences. That difference matters because facts can be checked and verified, while opinions reflect a person’s point of view and aren’t provable in the same objective way. For example, “Water freezes at 0°C at standard pressure” is something you can demonstrate with observation or measurement, while “Summer is the best season” is a personal view that can vary from person to person. Keep in mind that facts can be revised if new evidence emerges, but opinions will always depend on individual perspective. The other ideas aren’t correct because they treat facts as always true, or claim opinions can be proven with data, or suggest facts require emotion, which doesn’t align with how we distinguish objective evidence from personal viewpoint.