Inference
The Canadian province of Quebec was originally settled by French fur traders. Eventually, cities grew to support the fur trade. As a result, other industries (such as logging) became the main source of income for residents.
____ 1. Based on this passage, you can infer that some residents of Quebec may speak which language?
a. French
b. Spanish
c. English
A. French.
Trudy looked down; the sound of everyone’s laughter burned in her ears. She felt her face grow warm and knew she was turning red. She wished she could just walk out of the classroom.
Based on this description, what can the reader infer?
a. Trudy is embarrassed.
b. Trudy is new in school.
c. Trudy is very angry.
a. Trudy is embarrassed.
MOUNTAIN : HIGH
Choose the pair of words that best express a relationship similar to that of the original pair.
A) river : ugly
B) valley : low
C) forest : lonely
D) desert : wet
B) A characteristic of a mountain is to be high. A characteristic of a valley is to be low. Therefore (B) is correct.
After going to the zoo, the mall, and the movies, Cassie was sick of bending over backwards to entertain her nieces.
a. Cassie was doing very little to entertain her nieces.
b. Cassie was making small efforts to entertain her nieces.
c. Cassie was trying very hard to entertain her nieces.
d. Cassie was not trying at all to entertain her nieces.
c. Cassie was trying very hard to entertain her nieces.
When Sue walked into the house, it was pitch dark when usually there is some kind of light. Then Sue thought she heard whispering and someone say, "Shh...!"
Based on this description, which of the following is a reasonable inference?
a. It is Sue’s surprise birthday party.
b. Sue is visiting her grandmother.
c. It is a family reunion.
a. It is Sue’s surprise birthday party.
Carrots are an excellent source of retinol. Retinol is a pure form of vitamin A and is essential for good vision and strong teeth. It is often found in foods such as eggs, liver, and fish. For vegetarians, the best source of retinol is carrots.
Based on this passage, what can you infer about the amount of retinol in eggs, liver, and fish?
a. It is the same or greater than the amount in carrots.
b. It is less than the amount in carrots.
c. Eggs, liver, and fish do not contain retinol.
A. It is the same or greater than the amount in carrots.
Sammy was promoted from third to fifth grade. The teachers at his school decided he did not have to attend fourth grade at all.
The reader can infer:
a. Sammy did not attend second grade.
b. Sammy will not have to go through sixth grade.
c. Sammy did extremely well in the third grade.
c. Sammy did extremely well in the third grade.
TEACHER : EDUCATE
Choose the pair of words that best express a relationship similar to that of the original pair.
A) senator : represent
B) lawyer : instruct
C) coach : condemn
D) priest : annoy
A function of a teacher is to educate others. The function of a senator is to represent others. Therefore (A) is correct.
Bobby would have been playing ball until the cows came home if it hadn’t been for Suzie dragging him home for dinner.
a. Bobby was just about to stop playing ball.
b. Bobby didn’t even want to play ball to begin with.
c. Bobby prefers nature to athletics.
d. Bobby would have continued playing ball for a long time.
d. Bobby would have continued playing ball for a long time.
“Are you sure I won’t get hurt?” he asked Martin. Martin replied, “Oh, you might fall once or twice, but you’ll be okay. Just wear your helmet. Now put your feet on the peddles.” Martin’s little brother looked up at him.
From this excerpt, what can the reader infer?
a. Martin’s little brother doesn’t trust him.
b. Martin is learning to ride a bicycle.
c. Martin’s little brother is learning to ride a bicycle.
c. Martin’s little brother is learning to ride a bicycle.
Emily and Molly both auditioned for a singing role in a musical. Emily landed a spot in the musical, but Molly did not.
The reader can reasonably infer:
a. The directors thought Molly was a better singer than Emily.
b. The directors thought Emily was a better singer than Molly.
c. Neither Emily nor Molly had a chance to sing during the auditions.
B. The directors thought Emily was a better singer than Molly.
Timmy flicked the light switch on and off, but nothing happened. He tried to turn on his TV, but it wouldn’t come on either. He began to worry because soon it would be dark and he was in the house alone.
Based on this description, what can the reader infer?
a. Timmy’s parents are on vacation.
b. Timmy is not in his own house.
c. The power has gone out.
c. The power has gone out.
GOLD : EXPENSIVE
Choose the pair of words that best express a relationship similar to that of the original pair.
AA)) jewelry : dull
BB)) cotton : beautiful
CC)) silver : outrageous
DD)) velvet : soft
D . A characteristic of gold is to be expensive. A characteristic of velvet is to be soft. Therefore (D) is correct.
Mr. Johnson was very particular about the arrangement of his classroom, so the thing he hated most was when his students caused a ruckus with their wild horseplay.
a. Mr. Johnson hated when his students pretended to be animals.
b. Mr. Johnson hated when his students played sports.
c. Mr. Johnson hated when his students wrestled around with each other.
d. Mr. Johnson hated when his students made animal noises.
c. Mr. Johnson hated when his students wrestled around with each other.
Charles let his dog, Roscoe, into the house. Roscoe ran over to his food bowl and wildly began to wag his tail.
The reader can reasonably infer:
a. Charles was not supposed to let Roscoe into the house yet.
b. Roscoe is a golden retriever.
c. Roscoe is hungry.
c. Roscoe is hungry.
Tim and Liam both glanced around the room nervously as the teacher handed back the graded tests. The teacher handed Liam his test and smiled. The teacher handed Tim his test and asked, “What happened?”
The reader can reasonably infer:
a. Liam did not do well on the test.
b. Tim did not do well on the test.
c. Tim was not in school on the day of the test.
b. Tim did not do well on the test.
Jonas loved going to the zoo. He especially loved visiting his favorite animal. He thought its spotted coat was beautiful and found its long, long neck very graceful. He was always amazed when one walked close to him or stretched out to eat the leaves at the top of a tree.
The reader can infer that Jonas’s favorite animal is a(n) ____________.
a. elephant
b. giraffe
c. tiger
MOTHER : FEMALE
Choose the pair of words that best express a relationship similar to that of the original pair.
AA)) vegetable : green
BB)) snake : dangerous
CC)) rock : hard
DD)) tree : old
C . A mother is, by definition, female. A rock is, by definition, hard. Therefore (C) is correct.
Eric wanted to fix his cousin’s computer, but he was already having problems setting up his Aunt’s Wi-Fi network and he didn’t want to open a whole new can of worms.
a. Eric was sick of spending his time helping his family.
b. Eric wanted to go fishing instead of working on computers.
c. Eric was having difficulties untangling the computer wires.
d. Eric was not ready to begin working on a complicated new problem.
d. Eric was not ready to begin working on a complicated new problem.
The teacher told the children to clear everything but a pencil from their desks. She then began handing out a paper. Thomas look startled. “Wait! Ms. Smith? The test is today? Are you sure? I thought it was tomorrow!”
Which of the following statements can the reader infer?
a. Ms. Smith lied to the students about the test.
b. Ms. Smith decided to make the test a Pop Quiz.
c. Thomas will get the lowest grade in the class.
b. Ms. Smith decided to make the test a Pop Quiz.
Katie slammed her math textbook closed and crumpled up the piece of paper she was working on. “Ugh!” she said.
Based on this passage, what can you infer about Katie?
a. Katie enjoys math.
b. Katie is having difficulty with math.
c. Katie has finished her math homework.
b. Katie is having difficulty with math.
Casey loved this time of year. She loved the bright crisp leaves on the sidewalk, the new coolness in the air, and the decorations showing up on people’s steps and porches.
What season can the reader infer it is?
a. spring
b. summer
c. autumn
C. autumn
INFURIATING : ANNOYING
Choose the pair of words that best express a relationship similar to that of the original pair.
A) ruined : ugly
B) devastated : sad
C) depressed : intelligent
D) arrogant : clever
B. Someone who is infuriating is very annoying. Someone who is devastated is very sad. Therefore (B) is correct.
Even though Candace already had a new job, she submitted her two week notice and conducted herself in a professional way at her old job because she didn’t want to burn bridges.
a. Candace didn’t want to ruin her positive relationship with her old employer.
b. Candace wasn’t ready to start her new job.
c. Candace was really going to miss her old job.
d. Candace was waiting until her last day to rub it in everyone’s face that she was leaving
a. Candace didn’t want to ruin her positive relationship with her old employer.
Lauren sat in the lobby of her apartment building watching people come in from the street. She got up to head out the door everyone else was coming in through but slipped on something.
The reader can reasonably infer which of the following statements?
a. Lauren lives on the first floor.
b. It is raining outside.
c. Lauren’s parents told her to wait for them in the lobby.
b. It is raining outside.