Making Inferences and Drawing Conclusions

Read between the lines and understand implied meanings

Making Inferences and Drawing Conclusions

What is an Inference?

Inference = A logical conclusion based on evidence in the text + reasoning

Not stated directly, but can be figured out

Example:

Text: "Maria grabbed her umbrella and rain boots before heading outside."

Inference: It's raining or about to rain (not directly stated!)

Types of Inference Questions

Character Inferences

Question types:

  • "The narrator's attitude toward X can best be described as..."
  • "The passage suggests that the character..."
  • "Based on the passage, the reader can infer that..."

Look for:

  • What characters say and do
  • How they react to events
  • Their word choices (reveal feelings)
  • Context clues

Author's Purpose/Tone

"The author's tone in this passage is..."

Common tones:

  • Objective: Neutral, fact-based
  • Critical: Disapproving, negative
  • Admiring: Respectful, positive
  • Nostalgic: Looking back fondly
  • Skeptical: Doubtful, questioning
  • Enthusiastic: Excited, passionate

Cause and Effect

"The passage suggests that X caused Y because..."

Strategy:

  • Identify the effect (what happened)
  • Look for the cause (why it happened)
  • May be implied, not directly stated

How to Make Valid Inferences

Rule 1: Stay Close to the Text

✓ Valid: Supported by specific evidence ❌ Invalid: Wild guess or outside knowledge

Rule 2: Don't Go Too Far

✓ Valid: Small logical step from evidence ❌ Invalid: Huge leap not supported

Rule 3: Consider Multiple Clues

  • Look for patterns
  • Combine evidence from different parts
  • One detail might not be enough

Common Wrong Answer Types

1. Too Extreme

Watch for: always, never, must, only, cannot

Example:

  • Text mentions one benefit of exercise
  • Wrong answer: "Exercise is the ONLY way to stay healthy"

2. Opposite

  • States the opposite of what's implied
  • Easy to eliminate if you read carefully

3. Not Supported

  • Might be true in real life
  • But not supported by this passage

4. Too Literal

  • States something directly from text
  • Inference questions need you to read between lines

Strategies for Success

Before Reading

  1. Skim the questions first (know what to look for)
  2. Note if questions ask about specific lines

While Reading

  1. Underline emotional language
  2. Mark transitions and attitude shifts
  3. Note repeated ideas

Answering Questions

  1. Reread relevant section
  2. Eliminate obviously wrong answers
  3. Prove your answer with text evidence
  4. Choose answer with strongest support

Practice Approach

Sample scenario:

"When Dr. Chen received the lab results, she immediately called the team together. Her usual calm demeanor had shifted; she paced as she spoke, her words coming faster than normal."

Question: "What can be inferred about the lab results?"

Think:

  • Normal = calm
  • Now = pacing, speaking fast
  • This suggests: Results were unexpected/concerning

ACT Tips

  • Extreme words in answers are usually wrong
  • Look for patterns of evidence, not single details
  • Eliminate answers that contradict the passage
  • If stuck between two answers, choose the one closer to the text
  • Don't overthink - the answer is supported by evidence

📚 Practice Problems

1Problem 1easy

❓ Question:

Short passage:

"Jake checked his watch for the third time in five minutes and tapped his foot against the floor. He glanced toward the door every time someone walked past."

What can be inferred about Jake?

💡 Show Solution

Solution:

Evidence from text:

  • Checking watch repeatedly
  • Tapping foot (sign of impatience)
  • Looking at door frequently

These behaviors suggest: Jake is waiting for someone/something and is impatient or anxious

Answer: Jake is waiting for someone and is feeling impatient/anxious

ACT Tip: Look at actions and behaviors to infer emotions and situations!

2Problem 2medium

❓ Question:

Passage excerpt:

"The documentary presented new archaeological evidence from three different sites. While the findings were intriguing, Dr. Martinez noted in her review that the sample size was limited and the dating methods had not been independently verified."

What is Dr. Martinez's attitude toward the documentary?

💡 Show Solution

Solution:

Positive language: "intriguing" (shows some interest)

Cautious language:

  • "While" (contrast word - signals "but")
  • "limited" sample size
  • "not been independently verified"

Tone: Interested BUT skeptical/cautious

Answer: Dr. Martinez is interested but skeptical about the documentary's claims

ACT Tip: Contrast words (while, but, however) often signal mixed or complex attitudes!

3Problem 3hard

❓ Question:

Which type of wrong answer should you avoid in inference questions?

A) Answers that require evidence from the passage B) Answers that use extreme language like "only" or "never" C) Answers that make logical connections D) Answers supported by specific details

💡 Show Solution

Solution:

Good answer characteristics:

  • A) ✓ Supported by evidence
  • C) ✓ Makes logical connections
  • D) ✓ Supported by details

Bad answer characteristic:

  • B) ✓ AVOID extreme language

Why avoid extremes?

  • "Only," "never," "always," "must," "cannot" are rarely supported
  • Passages usually present nuanced views
  • Extreme claims are hard to prove

Answer: B - Avoid answers with extreme language

ACT Tip: If you see "always" or "never," be very skeptical!

🎴

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