3. Making Inferences

An inference is a logical conclusion you draw from clues in the text plus common sense — it is 'reading between the lines'. The author doesn't say it directly, but the evidence points to it.

Inference works like a detective:

• Clue (from the text): 'Maria checked the clock for the third time and tapped her pen against the desk.'
• Common sense: people check clocks repeatedly and fidget when they are anxious or waiting.
• Inference: Maria is feeling anxious and waiting for something.

A solid inference is always anchored to evidence. If you cannot point to the words that led you there, it is a guess, not an inference.

⚠️ Common mistake: inferring too much. 'Maria is going to fail her exam' goes far beyond the clues. Stay close to what the text actually supports.

💡 Tip: for an inference question, find the specific sentence(s) that make your answer the most likely one. The best answer needs the least outside assumption.