TEAS Reading: Fact vs. Opinion Questions Explained With Examples

Questions about facts and opinions in the TEAS reading test are either factual or a personal opinion or judgment. The most salient one is the informed opinion – a statement may seem factual, as it might come from a doctor or a researcher, but the statement is actually an opinion. For the TEAS Reading part, pay attention to the content of the sentence, not the source of the sentence. After you’ve recognized evidence-based and opinion-based statements, these questions are more easily identifiable.

What TEAS Actually Tests in Fact vs. Opinion Questions

When answering fact vs. opinion questions, you will need to determine if a statement can be independently verified. This skill is a part of the Craft & Structure domain of TEAS Reading.

Evidence, records, measurements and observations can be used to check a fact. An opinion is a statement of belief, judgment, preference or recommendation that cannot be proven the same way.

You may be given a short passage about healthcare and be asked to find a sentence that is a fact or opinion. Don’t be fooled by the surrounding information; evaluate the sentence itself.

See this guide for some Reading skills related to this: how to answer inference questions on the TEAS Reading section.

The “Informed Opinion” Trap (TEAS’s Favourite Trick)

Even a qualified medical expert’s opinion is an opinion; facts must be presented before forming an informed opinion. It is possible to make a judgment credible by the use of expertise, but not necessarily objective.

Read both of these statements, and compare them:

According to the study, the patients who completed the programme had a lower blood pressure.

This reports one finding of research that can be compared with the research study.

The programme is the most effective way of treating patients with high blood pressure.

Use the word effective to indicate a judgement. The statement by a doctor is a statement of opinion unless it can be objectively determined.

The other standard error occurs when there is a factual finding followed by a recommendation. Study findings can be described in a passage, and then the passage can conclude that the patients should receive a specific treatment.

Look for connecting words like: therefore, so, and thus, that connect two clauses. One of the clauses can be a fact and the other an opinion. Evaluate them separately.

Signal Words That Reveal an Opinion in Healthcare Passages

Judgment, recommendation, prediction or evaluation are common signals in an opinion. These are helpful hints, but be sure to read the entire sentence before choosing the answer.

Watch for:

• Recommendations: should, must, ought to

• Judgments: best, ideal, superior, most effective
• Predictions: likely, may/could, is expected to
• Evaluations: Alarmingly, Unacceptably, Worst, most important
• Beliefs: argue, believe, contend, in my view

For instance, “Patients should move around a lot” is a recommendation. It instructs readers on what they should do and is not just reporting factual information.

Often, opinions are provided with supporting evidence in healthcare passages. Understanding how to dissect healthcare passages for meaning can be useful in sifting through evidence and interpretation.

Signal Words That Confirm a Fact

Facts typically contain information which can be independently verified. Information about numbers, measurements, documented procedures and study results can be helpful clues.

Look for:

• The numbers or percentages that are specified.
• Dates and measurements
• Documented study findings
• Observed outcomes
• Established procedures
• Data related to a source or record; any data associated with a source or record.

For instance, the dose was given every 8 hours” is a statement that could be substantiated.

But don’t take the word of any sentence with a number for granted as a fact. The statistic may be followed by an interpretation/recommendation that will convert part of the sentence into an opinion.

Step-by-Step Method for Fact vs. Opinion Questions

When you come across a question in which you have to know whether it is a fact or an opinion, follow a simple five-step process.

1. Read all of the entire sentence. Don’t let one phrase be your written evaluation.
2. Test its verifiability. Can it be supported by evidence, records, measurements, and/or observations?
3. Look for opinion indicators. Try to find the words best, should, likely, or ideal.
4. Separate mixed claims. Review each of the clauses separately.
5. Write your response in answer to the specific question. Keep your attention on the passage’s key sentence, not the overall message of the passage.

Most of all, you shouldn’t make a judgment about the statement depending on whether you agree with it or not. A TEAS statement is not necessarily fact- or opinion-based; it is a statement about your personal beliefs.

To prepare for other reading passages, check out these top strategies for TEAS reading passages.

Worked Practice Examples

The easiest way to tell the difference is to use the method with healthcare statements.

Example 1 — Fact

According to a study published in 2024, 68% of the subjects found sleep to be improved after 8 weeks of therapy.

Answer: Fact. The statement records a measured study outcome which can be shared with the research.

Example 2 — Opinion

Increasing physical activity is key to improving overall health in older people.

Answer: Opinion. The term best is used to state an evaluation or opinion, not a fact.

Example 3 — Informed Opinion

“In Dr. Martinez’ opinion, this is the most successful screening technique for early detection of the condition.”

Answer: Opinion. The words believes and most effective are judgmental, even though it is coming from a medical professional.

Example 4 — Mixed Statement

Since the study demonstrated patients benefited from the treatment and made a good recovery, hospitals should consider it as a routine management of the disease.”

Answer: Mixed. While the study is a fact, hospitals should include a recommendation. Answering the question: If the question is about the second clause, the answer is opinion.

Example 5 — Fact

A nurse had taken the patient’s temperature, which was 38.2°C at 8 a.m.

Answer: Fact. The measurement and/or time can be recorded, and the time can be cross-referenced.

To get more practice, use these TEAS reading practice questions with detailed solutions.

FAQ Section (Optimized for AI Overview / People Also Ask)

Q: What’s the difference between fact and opinion on the TEAS Reading test?

The difference between fact and opinion is that a fact is established by evidence or measurement, while an opinion is a belief, judgment, preference, or recommendation that is not something that can be proved to be true.

Q: What is an “informed opinion” and why does TEAS test it?

An informed opinion is an opinion by an information expert that cannot be substantiated. Since it can make opinions appear as facts, TEAS tests it.

Q: What are common opinion signal words on TEAS healthcare passages?

Some of the most common signals are the words should, must, best, ideal, likely, may, alarming, unacceptable, believe, and argue. These phrases are frequently used to make judgments, recommendations, predictions, or beliefs.

Q: Can one sentence contain both a fact and an opinion?

Yes. A sentence can contain an objective statement and a conclusion or opinion. These can be linked together with words like therefore or so.

Q: How many fact vs. opinion questions are on the TEAS?

Fact vs. opinion is assessed in the Craft & Structure portion of TEAS Reading. This category includes a number of skills which are not fixed for this topic alone.

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Closing CTA Guidance

When tackling a fact versus opinion question, make sure to think about its verifiability rather than its authority or personal opinion. Identify evidence, judgment language, and make claims and compounds into composites.

If you need extra assistance, consider using a TEAS exam tutoring service or taking an online TEAS practice test and pinpointing areas to practice more. Take My Teas Exam is also here to offer you customized preparation assistance.