Which statement best defines an inference?

Which statement best defines an inference?

• A. A direct statement from the text
• B. An opinion not based on evidence
• C. A guess about the weather
• D. A conclusion drawn from evidence in the text that is not explicitly stated

Answer: (D)

An inference is a conclusion you reach by using clues from the text along with what you already know, especially about what the author implies without stating it outright. The best description here says you draw a conclusion from evidence in the text that isn’t explicitly stated—you’re filling in the meaning from hints and reasoning, not just repeating what’s written. For example, if a paragraph describes dark clouds, a chilly breeze, and someone grabbing a coat, you can infer that it’s going to rain or be cold, even if the author doesn’t say, “It is raining.” Direct statements are explicit facts from the text and aren’t inferences. An opinion not supported by evidence isn’t based on what the text shows. A guess about the weather is only an inference if the text provides clues pointing to the weather; otherwise, it’s just a guess.

An inference is a conclusion you reach by using clues from the text along with what you already know, especially about what the author implies without stating it outright. The best description here says you draw a conclusion from evidence in the text that isn’t explicitly stated—you’re filling in the meaning from hints and reasoning, not just repeating what’s written. For example, if a paragraph describes dark clouds, a chilly breeze, and someone grabbing a coat, you can infer that it’s going to rain or be cold, even if the author doesn’t say, “It is raining.” Direct statements are explicit facts from the text and aren’t inferences. An opinion not supported by evidence isn’t based on what the text shows. A guess about the weather is only an inference if the text provides clues pointing to the weather; otherwise, it’s just a guess.