Question

read this excerpt from a passage.
how did we reach this breaking point? one cause of overfishing has been a cavalier attitude toward the earths oceans. fishers and fishing fleets saw oceans full of fish and concluded that the oceans were inexhaustible. they treated the oceans as if their actions would have no future consequences. take as many fish as you want, throw out or kill what you do not want; do whatever harm you want: these attitudes have all too often ruled the seas. currently, only 1.6% of our oceans are protected through international agreements; no fishing is allowed within these areas. fishing is regulated in approximately one - third of the earths seas, under national or international laws. however, the vast majority of our planets waters are an unprotected free - for - all.
which of these sentences is an opinion disguised as a fact?
○ fishing is regulated in approximately one - third of the earths seas, under national or international laws.
○ fishers and fishing fleets saw oceans full of fish and concluded that the oceans were inexhaustible.
○ currently, only 1.6% of our oceans are protected through international agreements; no fishing is allowed within these areas.
○ how did we reach this breaking point?

Explanation:

An opinion is a subjective statement that reflects a person's belief or judgment, rather than an objective fact. Let's analyze each option:

• "Fishing is regulated in approximately one - third of the earth’s seas, under national or international laws": This is a factual statement as it provides a specific proportion and regulatory context.
• "Currently, only 1.6% of our oceans are protected through international agreements; no fishing is allowed within these areas": This is a factual statement as it gives a specific percentage and details about protection and fishing restrictions.
• "Fishers and fishing fleets saw oceans full of fish and concluded that the oceans were inexhaustible": This is an opinion. The conclusion that the oceans were inexhaustible is a subjective judgment made by fishers and fishing fleets, not an objectively verifiable fact.
• "How did we reach this breaking point?": This is a question, not an opinion or a fact.

Answer:

Fishers and fishing fleets saw oceans full of fish and concluded that the oceans were inexhaustible.