In reading, what is an inference?

In reading, what is an inference?

• A. A conclusion drawn from evidence in the text that is not explicitly stated
• B. A restatement of the main idea
• C. A direct quotation from the author
• D. A personal opinion unsupported by text

Answer: (B)

Inference is drawing a conclusion from clues in the text that the author doesn’t state directly. Readers use what’s described plus what they already know to fill in gaps and understand things like motives, outcomes, or hidden meanings. This isn’t just restating what the text says; it’s going beyond the explicit words to deduce something the author implies. For example, if a character slams a door, mutters under their breath, and leaves in a hurry, you might infer they’re angry or afraid of being found out, even if the text never says exactly how they feel. That kind of deduction relies on evidence in the writing combined with your own reasoning. This differs from simply restating the main idea, which would repeat what the passage says outright; from quoting, which would repeat the author’s exact words; and from a personal opinion that isn’t supported by what the text shows. The idea of inference is exactly that: a conclusion drawn from clues in the text that aren’t stated outright.

Inference is drawing a conclusion from clues in the text that the author doesn’t state directly. Readers use what’s described plus what they already know to fill in gaps and understand things like motives, outcomes, or hidden meanings. This isn’t just restating what the text says; it’s going beyond the explicit words to deduce something the author implies.

For example, if a character slams a door, mutters under their breath, and leaves in a hurry, you might infer they’re angry or afraid of being found out, even if the text never says exactly how they feel. That kind of deduction relies on evidence in the writing combined with your own reasoning.

This differs from simply restating the main idea, which would repeat what the passage says outright; from quoting, which would repeat the author’s exact words; and from a personal opinion that isn’t supported by what the text shows. The idea of inference is exactly that: a conclusion drawn from clues in the text that aren’t stated outright.