Making Inferences Flashcards

Read: 'The athlete trained six hours a day for two years without missing a single session. On the morning of the championship, she woke before her alarm, ate her usual breakfast, and sat quietly before heading to the venue.' What can be inferred about the athlete's mental state before the competition?

Answer: The athlete felt calm and mentally prepared due to her disciplined routine

Waking early, following routine, and sitting quietly suggest composure and readiness — consistent with two years of rigorous, unbroken preparation.

Read this passage: 'When the new road was built through the forest, many residents celebrated faster commutes. Within five years, the area around the road had been developed with shopping centers, subdivisions, and warehouses. The forest that once bordered the town had shrunk by 60 percent.' What can be inferred about a likely unintended consequence of the road?

Answer: The road enabled rapid development that significantly reduced the local forest

The road was celebrated for commuting benefits, but the 60% forest reduction was an unintended consequence enabled by new access.

A passage states: 'Despite publishing twelve novels, Elena had never received a major literary award. Her thirteenth book had been on the bestseller list for eight months when the award committee announced their annual nominees.' What can be inferred about Elena's career at this point?

Answer: Elena was more popular with readers than with literary critics throughout her career

The contrast between twelve books without awards and the timing of the bestseller's success suggests commercial success preceded critical recognition — supporting C.

Read: 'The memo to all staff read: Effective immediately, employees are required to badge in and out of the building at all times. All personal devices must be locked in designated boxes before entering the server room. Random audits of workstations will begin next week.' What can be inferred about what prompted these new policies?

Answer: The company likely experienced a security incident or identified a significant security risk

The sudden, security-focused measures — badging, device lockup, random audits — collectively suggest a response to a security breach or serious security concern.

Read this passage: 'The king had three sons. The eldest was sent to manage the northern province. The middle son was appointed to the royal treasury. The youngest accompanied the king everywhere, sat beside him at meals, and was taught governance directly by his father.' What can be inferred about which son the king intended to succeed him?

Answer: The youngest son, based on his proximity to the king and direct governance training

Direct governance training and constant proximity to the king are strong indicators that the youngest was being groomed for succession.

A passage reads: 'The researchers announced they had developed a vaccine for the disease. Within hours, the stock prices of companies working on competing vaccines dropped sharply.' What can be inferred about why the stock prices fell?

Answer: Investors concluded that competing vaccine projects were now less commercially valuable

A successful competing vaccine reduces the market opportunity for other vaccines, making their development less profitable — logically explaining the stock drops.

Read: 'When Professor Lin entered the classroom, the students who had been talking loudly suddenly fell silent. Two students quickly hid something under their desks. Another student minimized a window on her laptop screen.' What can be inferred about the students' behavior?

Answer: The students were likely engaged in activities they knew were not permitted in class

Hiding items and minimizing screens when the professor enters strongly suggests students were doing something they believed was prohibited.

Read this: 'The small bookstore had operated on the same corner for 40 years. Last spring, a large chain bookstore opened two blocks away. By autumn, the small bookstore had begun hosting weekly author readings, expanded its coffee service, and introduced a loyalty program for regular customers.' What can be inferred about why the small bookstore made these changes?

Answer: The bookstore introduced new services to compete with and differentiate itself from the chain store

The timing — changes after the chain's arrival — and the nature of the changes (community-building, loyalty) suggest a competitive response to the threat.