Making Inferences Flashcards

Read: 'The children's laughter rang through the park. An ice cream truck jingled in the distance. Somewhere nearby, someone was grilling food, and the smell drifted pleasantly across the grass.' What can be inferred about the season and time of day?

Answer: It is a warm-weather day, likely summer, during afternoon or early evening

Ice cream trucks, outdoor grilling, and children in a park most strongly suggest a warm summer afternoon or early evening.

A passage reads: 'The survey asked employees to rate their job satisfaction. Of the 500 employees surveyed, only 200 returned the survey. Of those, 85 percent reported high satisfaction.' What can be inferred about the reliability of the 85 percent figure?

Answer: The true satisfaction rate may differ because employees most likely to respond may be those with strong feelings

A 40% response rate introduces self-selection bias — satisfied or dissatisfied employees may disproportionately respond, making the 85% figure potentially unrepresentative.

Read this passage: 'Amara had spent three years saving money, learning Spanish, and researching neighborhoods before finally booking a one-way ticket to Buenos Aires.' What can be inferred about Amara's planned move to Argentina?

Answer: Amara is relocating to Buenos Aires permanently or for a very long time

Three years of preparation, a one-way ticket, and learning the language all suggest a long-term or permanent relocation rather than tourism or a job transfer.

Read: 'The committee voted 7-2 to approve the new park. The day after the vote, the two dissenting members held a press conference announcing they would appeal the decision.' What can be inferred about the dissenting members' view of the decision-making process?

Answer: The two members disagreed with the outcome and were determined to continue opposing it

Holding a press conference and announcing an appeal the day after losing a vote clearly signals continued, determined opposition to the decision.

A passage states: 'At the summit, all twelve countries signed the climate agreement. Upon returning home, three countries' legislatures immediately voted to ratify the treaty. The other nine countries' leaders promised to seek ratification soon.' What can be inferred about the likelihood of full ratification?

Answer: Full ratification is uncertain because signing and legislative ratification are different processes

Signing by leaders and ratification by legislatures are distinct steps — 'promises to seek' ratification does not guarantee success.

Read: 'The defendant sat motionless throughout the three-hour trial. She did not speak unless directly addressed, kept her hands folded in her lap, and maintained eye contact with the judge at all times.' What can be inferred about the defendant's behavior strategy?

Answer: The defendant had likely been coached to appear calm and controlled in court

Consistently controlled behavior — no unnecessary movement, speaking only when addressed, steady eye contact — suggests deliberate coaching rather than natural emotional state.

Read this passage: 'Before streaming services, most Americans watched the same few television channels and followed the same programs. Shared cultural references — a show's finale, a sports event — were common conversation topics the next day. Today, with thousands of content options, it is rare for two people to have watched the same thing.' What can be inferred about the effect of streaming on shared cultural experience?

Answer: The rise of streaming has fragmented shared cultural experiences that broadcasting once created

The passage contrasts shared viewing under limited channels with today's fragmented viewing across thousands of options — supporting the inference of cultural fragmentation.

A passage reads: 'The study found that students who ate breakfast performed better on morning tests than those who skipped breakfast. The researchers noted that the breakfast-eating students also came from households with higher average incomes.' What can be inferred about the study's conclusion?

Answer: The relationship between breakfast and test performance may be complicated by socioeconomic factors

The income correlation introduces a confounding variable — higher-income students may perform better for many reasons beyond breakfast alone.