Question

below is an extract from a local newspaper.

select the sentences that are opinions.

the national food retailer, extra value foods, announced plans to open a new hypermarket in mansfield. it is expected that the store will attract shoppers from the surrounding area. this may help the economy of mansfield which has been suffering from recent closures of heavy industrial firms. the completion date of the hypermarket is october. opening hours are from 8am to 10pm monday to saturday and 10am to 4pm on sunday. the store is described as a paradise for shoppers and extra value foods believe that it will revolutionise shopping in the area.

Explanation:

Analyze the sentences for factual statements

Using the Identifying Bias knowledge point

• "The national food retailer, Extra Value Foods, announced plans to open a new hypermarket in Mansfield." (Fact: This is a verifiable announcement.)
• "The completion date of the hypermarket is October." (Fact: This is a verifiable scheduled date.)
• "Opening hours are from 8am to 10pm Monday to Saturday and 10am to 4pm on Sunday." (Fact: These are verifiable scheduled hours.)

Analyze the sentences for subjective opinions

Using the Subjective Language knowledge point

• "It is expected that the store will attract shoppers from the surrounding area." (Opinion: "Expected" represents a prediction or belief, not a guaranteed fact.)
• "This may help the economy of Mansfield which has been suffering from recent closures of heavy industrial firms." (Opinion: "May help" is a speculative prediction about economic impact.)
• "The store is described as a 'Paradise for Shoppers' and Extra Value Foods believe that it will revolutionise shopping in the area." (Opinion: "Paradise for Shoppers" is a highly subjective value judgment, and "believe that it will revolutionise" represents a corporate belief/prediction.)

Answer:

The sentences that are opinions are:

1. "It is expected that the store will attract shoppers from the surrounding area."
2. "This may help the economy of Mansfield which has been suffering from recent closures of heavy industrial firms."
3. "The store is described as a 'Paradise for Shoppers' and Extra Value Foods believe that it will revolutionise shopping in the area."