Inference/Conclusion Questions
Inference/Conclusion questions ask you to make a conclusion based on a given set of facts that are provided in the stimulus. We must essentially paraphrase the facts to create an answer choice. The only conclusion you can draw from a bunch of facts is those facts. In fact, the answer to a critical reasoning inference question is so stupidly obvious that you might ignore it. The key in solving inference question is to not go too far with your answer choice.
Inference Question Stems
Which of the following can be inferred from the information above?
Which of the following must be true on the basis of the statements above?
Which of the following conclusions is best supported by the passage?
Which of the following could most properly be drawn from the information above?
Language
Look for an answer choices with similar language to the stimulus. If the language in the stimulus is careful or tentative look for a similar style in the answer choices. If the language in the stimulus is extreme look for the same type of language in the answer.
Here is a helpful list on extreme and moderate language:
| EXTREME |
MODERATE |
| all | some |
| none | sometimes |
| only | most |
| alone | probably |
| never | could |
| always | likely |
| everywhere | occassionally |
An example
One of the ingredients in green tea is antioxidants. Antioxidants are known to be a factor in heart disease prevention.
Which of the following must be true on the basis of the statements above?
a) A diet composed of tea will prevent heart disease.
b) Green tea is essential to prevent heart disease.
c) Drinking green tea everyday will prevent heart disease
d) At least one type of tea helps to prevent heart disease.
e) A diet that doesn’t contain antioxidants causes heart disease.
The correct answer is D. (Highlight to reveal)
Let’s see why.
The stimulus doesn’t contain a conclusion but is made up of two premises:
- One of the ingredients in green tea is antioxidants.
- Antioxidants are known to be a factor in heart disease prevention.
The correct answer will draw a conclusion/inference using the two premises.
Let’s look at the answer choices.
a) A diet composed of tea will prevent heart disease.
This answer choice is too broad. The stimulus provides us only with information about green tea not tea in general.
b) Green tea is essential to prevent heart disease.
This answer choice uses too strong language.
c) Drinking green tea everyday will prevent heart disease
This answer choice is a trap. The language is too strong. The stimulus tells us that green tea contains antioxidants that are a factor in the prevention of heart disease, not that it will prevent heart disease.
d) At least one type of tea helps to prevent heart disease.
This answer choice is correct. Notice that it seems very obvious. Observe also that the language “help to prevent” matches the language in the stimulus “a factor in.”
e) A diet that doesn’t contain antioxidants causes heart disease.
This answer choice may be true, but the stimulus doesn’t mention it.
Assignment on Inference/Conclusion Questions
OG 11: 6, 29, 31, 51, 56, 57, 60, 71, 95, 99, 101, 104
Verbal Review: 44, 57, 59
(46)
(28)
(2)