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.\
which of these sentences is an opinion disguised as a fact?
○ \a 2014 new york times editorial reported that approximately 30,000 to 35,000 african elephants were killed each year.\
○ \ivory that already had been harvested from elephants could once again be bought and sold.\
○ \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, while an opinion is a personal belief or judgment. The sentence "Only a complete ban of the ivory trade can save the African elephant from extinction" expresses a personal belief about what is needed to save elephants, rather than a verifiable fact. The other options provide specific information (e.g., "A 2014 New York Times editorial reported that approximately 30,000 to 35,000 African elephants were killed each year" - a reported number which is a fact-like statement, "Ivory that already had been harvested from elephants could once again be bought and sold" - a description of a situation that could be checked for its occurrence, "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" - an account of an event that can be verified).

Answer:

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