Decoding the Questions: SAT & ACT Inference Keywords
Core Concepts
Learn to instantly recognize inference questions on the SAT and ACT by their specific wording. This stack covers common question stems and provides a strategic approach for navigating them effectively.
Decoding the Questions: SAT & ACT Inference Keywords
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What are the most common keywords that signal an inference question on a standardized test?
Look for words like 'suggests,' 'implies,' 'infers,' 'most likely,' 'would probably agree,' and 'seems to indicate.' These all ask you to go beyond what is explicitly stated.
What is the best way to approach a question that begins, 'The passage implies that...'?
Your goal is to find a conclusion that is strongly suggested but not directly written. First, identify the key subject of the question, then locate evidence in the text to support one of the answer choices.
What is a question like 'The author would most likely agree with which of the following?' asking you to do?
It asks you to infer the author's overall opinion, perspective, or beliefs. Synthesize the author's tone, arguments, and evidence presented throughout the entire passage to make your conclusion.
How should your strategy change for a question like 'It can be inferred from the third paragraph that...'?
You must narrow your focus. Find your evidence *only* within the specified paragraph (in this case, the third). Do not use information from other parts of the passage to answer the question.
What does a question asking what a specific detail 'suggests' require you to do?
Reread the specific detail in its immediate context. Then, determine the feeling, idea, or purpose it conveys beyond its literal meaning. Ask 'Why did the author include this detail here?'
Contrast the tasks required by questions starting with 'The passage states...' versus 'The passage suggests...'.
'States' is a detail-retrieval question asking for something explicitly written in the text. 'Suggests' is an inference question asking for a conclusion that is implied but not written.
When a question asks about the 'function' of a detail or paragraph, what kind of inference is it often asking for?
It is asking you to infer the author's purpose. You need to determine why the author included that specific piece of information and what role it plays in their larger argument or narrative.
What is a common pitfall when answering an inference question about the author's attitude?
A common mistake is confusing the opinion of a person quoted by the author with the author's own opinion. Always distinguish between the author's voice and the voices of their sources.
What is a reliable two-step process for tackling any inference question?
1. Identify the key terms in the question and locate the relevant portion of the text that discusses them. 2. Based on that evidence, formulate a prediction of the answer in your own words before looking at the choices.
What should you do if multiple answer choices for an inference question seem plausible?
Return to the text and find the choice that has the most direct and concrete textual support. The correct answer is the one that requires the smallest logical leap from the evidence.
