Inference questions
Inference questions: choose what the passage strongly suggests — not what it says directly, and not what goes too far.
In this lesson you will
- Distinguish inference from stated detail
- Combine information to reach a supported conclusion
- Reject options that go beyond the evidence
Learn
Inference questions: What can be inferred about…? The author implies that… The answer isn’t stated word-for-word, but it must be supported by the passage.
Method: locate the relevant sentences, ask What must be true if this is true?, then check each option against the text.
Too far: options with always, never, all, proves or new information usually go beyond the evidence.
Contrast signals often create inferences: Until the 1900s, most people believed… → this belief changed later.
Examples
- “Until 1950, the disease was untreatable.” → A treatment was found around or after 1950.
- “Even experienced climbers find the route dangerous.” → Beginners would likely find it very dangerous.
- Too far: “Therefore, no one has ever climbed it safely.”
Vocabulary
infer
conclude from evidence
imply
suggest indirectly
support
give evidence for
go too far
claim more than the evidence shows
untreatable
impossible to cure
In real life
Read the paragraph.
Until the late nineteenth century, most European cities drew drinking water directly from nearby rivers. Outbreaks of cholera were common, but their cause was widely attributed to ‘bad air’. After investigators linked cases to contaminated water pumps, cities began building filtration systems and separate sewers. Within a few decades, cholera had largely disappeared from these cities.
Practice
What can be inferred about the ‘bad air’ theory?
Lesson quiz
Words like “always” and “proves” often signal…
Review
Key points
- Supported, not stated.
- What must be true?
- Reject options that go too far.
- Contrast signals.
What you learned
- ✓ I answer inference questions.
- ✓ I reject unsupported options.
- ✓ I use contrast signals.