Inference questions end with a blank and ask which choice "most logically completes the text." You must draw a conclusion that must be true based only on the passage.
The gold standard: the answer is forced by the text. Not merely possible, not likely — guaranteed by the information given.
Method
- Read for the logical setup. Inference passages are mini-arguments. Track the facts, then ask what follows.
- Predict the conclusion before reading choices, in your own words.
- Eliminate overreach. Choices with "always," "never," "the most," or brand-new information usually go too far.
Test each choice with: "Does the passage guarantee this?" If you can imagine the passage being true while the choice is false, eliminate it.
Worked examples
All members of the club can swim. Jordan cannot swim. What follows?
- Write the rule: if you're a member, then you can swim.
- Jordan fails the conclusion (cannot swim), so Jordan must fail the condition.
- Therefore Jordan is not a member. This is called the contrapositive, and it is always valid.
- Careful: knowing someone CAN swim tells you nothing about membership — that reversal is invalid.
Common mistakes to avoid
- Reversing a conditional. 'All A are B' does NOT mean 'all B are A.'
- Going beyond what's guaranteed. The answer MUST be true, not just likely.
- Missing a confounding variable when a passage compares two groups — that's usually the point of the caution.
- Choosing an answer with 'always,' 'never,' or 'proves' when the text only supports 'may' or 'suggests.'