Verbal: Reading Comprehension Inference Flashcards

A passage states: "Although the company doubled its advertising budget, its market share remained flat." What can be inferred about advertising's effect here?

Answer: Increased advertising did not translate into greater market share

Flat market share despite doubled spending implies the extra advertising did not increase share.

An author writes that "few scholars now defend the once-popular theory." What does this most strongly imply?

Answer: The theory has lost support over time

"Once-popular" plus "few now defend" indicates declining support over time.

A passage notes that a policy "benefited urban residents while imposing costs on rural communities." What inference is best supported?

Answer: The policy's effects varied by location

Differing benefits and costs by area imply geographically varied effects.

The text says: "The researcher's conclusions, while provocative, rest on a single small sample." What is implied about the conclusions?

Answer: Their reliability may be limited

A single small sample suggests the conclusions' reliability could be limited.

An author observes that "even critics concede the program reduced waiting times." What can be inferred?

Answer: The reduction in waiting times is well established

If even opponents concede it, the waiting-time reduction is strongly supported.

A passage states the new method is "faster but no more accurate than the traditional one." What does this imply?

Answer: Accuracy is identical between methods

"No more accurate" means accuracy is essentially the same.

The author writes: "The data suggest a correlation, but the underlying cause remains unknown." What inference follows?

Answer: A relationship exists without a confirmed cause

A correlation without a known cause means a relationship exists but causation is unconfirmed.