Question

read this excerpt from a passage. \unfortunately, saving elephants had a negative economic effect on some people. in 1999, in response to pressure from business interests that were losing money because of the ban on the ivory trade, cites allowed limited trade in stockpiled tusks. ivory that already had been harvested from elephants could once again be bought and sold. \but disaster for the african elephant followed. poachers, or illegal hunters, rushed to kill more elephants. many people had foreseen that illegal trading of ivory would flourish again if any trading at all were allowed. following the cites decision, african elephants died in large numbers. a 2014 new york times editorial reported that approximately 30,000 to 35,000 african elephants were killed each year. only a complete ban of the ivory trade can save the african elephant from extinction. \ \ivory that already had been harvested from elephants could once again be bought and sold. \ \a 2014 new york times editorial reported that approximately 30,000 to 35,000 african elephants were killed each year. \ \in 1999, in response to pressure from business interests that were losing money because of the ban on the ivory trade, cites allowed limited trade in stockpiled tusks. \ \only a complete ban of the ivory trade can save the african elephant from extinction. \

Explanation:

A fact is a statement that can be proven true or false. An opinion is a statement that reflects a person's feelings, beliefs, or judgments. The sentence "Only a complete ban of the ivory trade can save the African elephant from extinction" expresses a judgment about what is needed to save the African elephant. It is not a statement that can be objectively proven true or false. The other sentences provide information that can be verified, such as the number of elephants killed each year and the actions of CITES.

Answer:

"Only a complete ban of the ivory trade can save the African elephant from extinction."