Final answer:
The sentence in question mixes a verifiable fact with a subjective evaluation, rendering the entire statement an opinion, as 'best' is a subjective term.
Step-by-step explanation:
When analyzing a statement to determine if it represents a fact or an opinion, it is important to note whether the statement can be proven true or false. A fact is a statement that has objective reality and can be verified. On the other hand, an opinion is a statement that reflects a person's beliefs, feelings, or viewpoints, which cannot be objectively proven.
The sentence in question states, "J. R. R. Tolkien's The Lord of the Rings and The Hobbit are two of the best-selling novels ever published." While the first part, concerning the novels being best-sellers, is factual and can be verified by sales data, the claim that they are "two of the best" introduces a subjective evaluation, which makes the entire statement an opinion. Hence, the sentence expresses a viewpoint and it is not just a statement of fact.