Question

Read the passage below and answer the following question.

It is a well-known fact that CAT News is a so-called “fake news” site presenting highly biased and negatively influential stories to its viewers. Watching a CAT News broadcast feels like stepping into a slightly deranged and extremely angry alternate universe. Cynical exaggerations of violence dupe naïve viewers into believing the world is falling apart outside the confines of their gated retirement communities.

The opening sentence of this paragraph should raise a careful reader’s suspicions because it:

points out bias in the news.
presents an opinion as a fact.
uses quotation marks to indicate irony.
falsely suggests a cause-and-effect relationship.

Answer 1

A reader should be suspicious of the opening sentence because it presents an opinion as a fact, indicative of bias and not objective information.

Step-by-step explanation:

The opening sentence of the paragraph should raise a careful reader's suspicions because it presents an opinion as a fact. Phrases such as "well-known fact" and "so-called" are usually indicative of opinion or bias rather than objective reality. To practice critical reading and identify bias in news, one needs to distinguish these types of statements from unbiased information.

Moreover, a crucial aspect of media literacy is understanding that certain media platforms, including some online news sites, may exhibit bias through the selection of stories they choose to cover, the sources they cite, or the language they use. The ability to discern between a factual report and one that is intended to persuade is an essential skill for navigating the plethora of information available in the digital age. Being aware of the purpose, author's background, and balance between fact and opinion can help identify potential bias in the information presented.