Define 'inference' in the context of reading.

• A. A prediction about the future
• B. A conclusion drawn from evidence and reasoning rather than from explicit statements
• C. A type of summarization
• D. A random guess

Answer: (B)

Inferring in reading means drawing a conclusion from clues in the text plus what you already know, rather than taking every statement at face value. It’s about what the author implies and what the reader can determine from evidence and reasoning, even if it isn’t stated outright.

This definition fits best because it emphasizes using evidence from the text to reach a reasonable idea, rather than simply predicting what happens next, summarizing what’s been said, or guessing without support. For example, if the story says, “Jen wore a damp coat and kept glancing at her phone,” you might infer that she’s waiting for a message or worried about something. If the room’s lights flicker and the characters tense up, you might infer that something is about to happen.

In contrast, predicting the future is about what's going to happen next, which is related but not the same as drawing a conclusion from clues. Summarizing is restating the main ideas, not deriving new meaning from evidence. A random guess has no basis in the text.