Making Inferences Flashcards

Read this passage: 'After the storm, the streets were empty. Shop windows were dark, and the only sounds were the drip of water from eaves and the distant wail of a siren.' What can most reasonably be inferred about the time of day?

Answer: It is nighttime or very late in the evening

Dark shop windows and empty streets after a storm most strongly suggest nighttime, when businesses are typically closed.

A passage states: 'Dr. Hernandez reviewed the test results, exhaled slowly, and picked up the phone. She had called families with this kind of news before, but it never got easier.' What can be inferred about the nature of the news?

Answer: The news is likely negative or difficult for the family to receive

The slow exhale and the remark that delivering 'this kind of news' never gets easier strongly imply the news is bad or distressing.

Read: 'The company announced record profits for the third consecutive quarter. Shortly after, the CEO donated $50 million to charity, purchased a second yacht, and awarded himself a $20 million bonus.' What can be inferred about how the CEO prioritized the record profits?

Answer: The CEO directed significant personal benefit from the company's success

The yacht and $20 million bonus indicate the CEO directed substantial personal gain from the profits, making C the most supported inference.

Read this passage: 'Before the invention of refrigeration, preserving food required salt, smoking, pickling, or drying. Communities built their diets around what was locally available and seasonally fresh. Spices were so valued partly because they could mask the taste of food that had begun to spoil.' What can be inferred about the role of spices in pre-refrigeration societies?

Answer: Spices served both culinary and practical preservation purposes in pre-modern diets

The passage says spices were valued 'partly because' they masked spoilage, implying they had additional value — supporting the inference that their role was both culinary and practical.

A passage reads: 'The senator had campaigned on fiscal responsibility and reducing government waste. When the new budget was released, her district received twice the federal funding of comparable districts.' What can be inferred about the senator's behavior?

Answer: The senator's actions in office appear inconsistent with her campaign promises

Receiving twice the funding while campaigning on reducing waste suggests a gap between rhetoric and action.

Read: 'The ancient city showed signs of abrupt abandonment: food left in bowls, tools resting in mid-task positions, and personal belongings scattered as if dropped in haste. No bodies were found.' What can most reasonably be inferred about how the city was abandoned?

Answer: The city's residents likely left suddenly due to an unforeseen emergency

Food left out, tools mid-use, and belongings dropped all point to a sudden, unplanned departure — consistent with an unforeseen emergency.

Read this passage: 'At the job interview, Marcus arrived 20 minutes late, wore wrinkled clothes, and spent most of the interview checking his phone. When asked about his previous job, he gave vague answers and laughed nervously.' What can be inferred about Marcus's likely outcome?

Answer: Marcus's behavior suggests he will probably not be hired

Lateness, unprofessional dress, phone use, and vague answers are widely recognized as negative interview behaviors — strongly suggesting he won't be hired.

A passage reads: 'The new restaurant opened to long lines and enthusiastic reviews in its first month. By the third month, the lines had shortened. By six months, a 'Closed' sign appeared in the window.' What can be inferred about the restaurant's trajectory?

Answer: The restaurant experienced initial success but ultimately failed to sustain its customer base

The progression from long lines to shortened lines to closure follows a pattern of declining success, supporting inference B.