In reading comprehension, what is an inference?

In reading comprehension, what is an inference?

• A. A summary of the main idea presented in the passage.
• B. A personal opinion not grounded in the text.
• C. A conclusion drawn from evidence in the text that is not explicitly stated.
• D. A fact stated directly by the author.

Answer: (C)

An inference is drawing a conclusion from clues the text provides that the author doesn’t state outright. It blends explicit details with your reasoning to uncover meaning the author hints at. For example, if a story describes dark clouds, chilly air, and a door left ajar, you can infer that rain is coming or that someone left in a hurry, because these ideas are supported by the clues in the passage. This differs from a summary, which restates the main ideas; from a personal opinion, which isn’t grounded in what the text actually says; and from a fact stated directly by the author, which is explicit and does not require reading between the lines. The value of an inference is in connecting evidence from the text to a plausible conclusion that the text implies.

An inference is drawing a conclusion from clues the text provides that the author doesn’t state outright. It blends explicit details with your reasoning to uncover meaning the author hints at. For example, if a story describes dark clouds, chilly air, and a door left ajar, you can infer that rain is coming or that someone left in a hurry, because these ideas are supported by the clues in the passage. This differs from a summary, which restates the main ideas; from a personal opinion, which isn’t grounded in what the text actually says; and from a fact stated directly by the author, which is explicit and does not require reading between the lines. The value of an inference is in connecting evidence from the text to a plausible conclusion that the text implies.