Making inferences
An inference is the one conclusion the text strongly supports, though it never says it outright.
The rules
- Ask: what must be true if the text is true? The answer is close to the text, not a leap.
- Prefer modest answers ("most likely," "suggests") over extreme ones (always, never, completely).
- Find the lines the question points to and stay near them.
- Test each choice by asking what in the passage supports it. If you can't point to something, it is out.
Watch out: Picking a choice that is reasonable in real life but isn't supported by the passage.
Worked example
A character "stared at the clock and tapped her fingers." What is she most likely feeling?
- Staring at a clock and tapping shows she is waiting.
- That fits impatience.
- Strong emotions such as rage are not supported.
Answer: Impatient.
Try it yourself
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