Which statement best defines inference?

Which statement best defines inference?

• A. Inference is repeating the author's exact words.
• B. Inference is summarizing the text exactly as written.
• C. Inference is listing characters and their traits.
• D. Inference is drawing conclusions from evidence and prior knowledge.

Answer: (D)

Inference is drawing a conclusion from clues in the text combined with what you already know. It means you go beyond what is stated to figure out something that isn’t explicitly said, using evidence and your prior knowledge to make a reasonable guess. That’s why the best statement is drawing conclusions from evidence and prior knowledge. Repeating exact words would be quoting, not inferring. Summarizing exactly as written would be restating the text, not building new conclusions. Listing characters and their traits is describing features, not using clues to reach an unseen conclusion.

Inference is drawing a conclusion from clues in the text combined with what you already know. It means you go beyond what is stated to figure out something that isn’t explicitly said, using evidence and your prior knowledge to make a reasonable guess.

That’s why the best statement is drawing conclusions from evidence and prior knowledge. Repeating exact words would be quoting, not inferring. Summarizing exactly as written would be restating the text, not building new conclusions. Listing characters and their traits is describing features, not using clues to reach an unseen conclusion.