Reading & Writing · Information and Ideas
Inferences
Combine the text's facts into the smallest conclusion they support. An inference may be unstated, but it must follow from the passage without a new cause, motive, or universal claim.
Separate a supported conclusion from a possible story
A passage says a library extended its hours and attendance during the added hours exceeded expectations. You can infer that patrons used the newly available time. You cannot infer that every visitor preferred evenings or that the extension caused all library attendance to rise.
Those broader claims could be true, but the supplied facts do not establish them. Look for the choice that needs the fewest additional assumptions.
Combine clues that point to the same conclusion
Suppose a species was observed only where the soil stayed moist, and it disappeared from sites after those sites dried. Together, those observations support a connection between its presence and moisture.
They do not establish that moisture is its only requirement, or that it can survive in every wet environment. The conclusion should preserve what was observed and leave untested conditions open.
Preserve the passage's uncertainty
If the text says an artifact may have been used for trade, a choice claiming it definitely served as currency changes a tentative possibility into certainty. Keep "may," "some," and other limits when they affect the argument.
A conclusion can be firm about a narrow fact: a later discovery means the earlier evidence was incomplete. It need not become a sweeping claim that all earlier interpretations were false.
Complete a scientific argument by following the variables
If an experiment measures seed germination at several temperatures and germination peaks at 20 degrees, a supported conclusion is that 20 degrees was most favorable among the tested temperatures. It does not identify the best temperature among every possible temperature.
For a miss, list the supporting facts and draw the single inferential step between them and the answer. If you need two invented steps, narrow the conclusion.
Check your understanding
Try it yourself
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Sample inferences questions
Inferences · Easy
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Inferences · Easy
A group of primate conservationists recently began a long-term study of the effects of different conservation strategies on the white-headed langur (Trachypithecus poliocephalus). The species population is currently estimated to be around 1,000. It is challenging to accurately count these primates, however, which makes it difficult to tell whether the population is increasing, decreasing, or staying stable. The study may thus ______
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Inferences · Easy
Scientists recently created a model to predict how increasing human activity will affect future mammal population sizes in US national forests. Unfortunately, when the model is applied to large forests, its predictions for large-mammal populations are too high, and when applied to small forests, its predictions for small-mammal populations are too high. Tongass National Forest in Alaska is a large forest, covering more than 3 million acres. If used to evaluate the effect of increasing human activity on this forest in ten years, the model would likely therefore ______
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Practice this skill
- List the facts before completing the conclusion.
- Circle words that express certainty or scope in the choices.
- Explain the one step that links the text to your selected inference.
Print the inferences worksheet and worked answers.
Then use a mixed practice module to check whether you can choose this method among other question types.
Source and question labels
The bank label for this guide is "Inferences" in Information and Ideas. The worked examples above are written for this guide.