An 'inference' is:

• A. A conclusion drawn from evidence and reasoning, not stated outright.
• B. A guess made without any evidence.
• C. A list of the main ideas.
• D. A summary of the entire article.

Answer: (A)

Inference is a conclusion drawn from evidence and reasoning, not stated outright. In reading, you notice clues the author provides and combine them with what you already know to decide what must be true even if the author doesn’t say it directly. This uses both textual hints and your prior knowledge. It is not a guess made without evidence, which would be a pure hunch. It’s also not a list of main ideas, nor a summary, since those express explicit content rather than what is implied. For example, if the text describes a character shivering, pulling their coat tighter, and glancing at the cloudy sky, you can infer that it is cold outside. Or if the article mentions someone rushing, checking their watch, and stepping into a crowded lobby, you infer that time is tight or that an important event is about to start. Inference helps you read between the lines and understand what the author suggests without stating directly.