Making Inferences - Cheat Sheet
Your last-minute revision companion for mastering inference questions in the Civil Service Examination
Core Definition and Process
Important facts
- Inferences are NOT opinions - they must be based on evidence and reasoning
- Good inferences combine text details with personal knowledge/experience
- The answer may or may not be directly confirmed by the end of the passage
- Look for words like 'infer', 'imply', 'suggest' in questions
- Supporting details include actions, descriptions, dialogue, vocabulary
Key definitions
Inference
Example
Reading 'She smiled after the doctor visit and called her husband' to infer she received good news
Using text evidence and personal knowledge to figure out what the passage wants to convey beyond what is directly stated
Text Evidence
Example
Character actions, descriptions, dialogue, vocabulary choices
Supporting details from the passage that back up your inference
Hidden Clues
Example
Familiar cars in parking lot + parents' excuse = surprise party setup
Indirect information in the text that suggests meaning without stating it explicitly
7-Step Inference Process
Important facts
- Step 1: Read and understand every detail in the passage
- Step 2: Identify inference question words (infer, imply, suggest)
- Step 3: List all relevant/important details from the passage
- Step 4: Put collected details together to see what they imply
- Step 5: Look for supporting clues (actions, descriptions, dialogue)
- Step 6: Eliminate answer choices that don't match the passage
- Step 7: Practice making your own inferences regularly
Key definitions
Relevant Details
Example
Student notices all exam topics are in her review notebook
Important information from the passage that leads to forming your inference
Clues and Hints
Example
Hesitant walking + familiar cars + 'Surprise!' = planned party
Supporting evidence like character actions, descriptions, dialogue that prove your inference
Diagrams to know
- Step-by-step inference flowchart
- Evidence-to-conclusion connection map
Classic Inference Patterns
Important facts
- Smile after doctor visit + immediate phone call = good news received
- Silent arrival + ignoring greetings + deep thinking = major problem
- All topics in review notes + finishing on time = likely to pass exam
- Daily plant talks + seeking varieties = plant lover
- Familiar cars + parents' excuse + 'Surprise!' = planned party
Key definitions
Character Feelings
Example
Marco arrives silent, no greetings, deep thinking = has big problem
Inferring emotions based on actions and context rather than direct statements
Outcome Prediction
Example
All exam topics in review notebook = will probably pass
Using current evidence to predict likely results or consequences
Diagrams to know
- Common inference scenario patterns
- Evidence-to-conclusion examples
Assumptions vs Conclusions
Important facts
- Assumptions are missing premises needed to make arguments valid
- Conclusions must be based on given premises/assumptions
- Always choose answers that VALIDATE the given statements
- Eliminate off-topic and overly broad answer choices
- Look for cause-effect relationships between assumptions and conclusions
- Correct assumptions connect evidence to conclusions
Key definitions
Assumption
Example
Frank people give straight facts (assumption for 'Everything Rachel says is correct')
Unstated information that must be true for the conclusion to be valid
Conclusion
Example
Mayor Cardo is a non-trapo politician (conclusion from 'he is nationalistic')
Statement that logically follows from given premises or assumptions
Diagrams to know
- Assumption-to-conclusion flow
- Validation process diagram
Must remember
- Inferences must be based on TEXT EVIDENCE, not just opinions
- Look for question words: infer, imply, suggest
- Good inferences = text details + personal knowledge
- 7-Step Process: Read → Identify → List → Connect → Find Clues → Eliminate → Practice
- For assumptions: find the MISSING PREMISE that makes the argument valid
- For conclusions: choose what LOGICALLY FOLLOWS from given premises
- Always eliminate off-topic and overly broad answer choices
- Supporting evidence includes actions, descriptions, dialogue, vocabulary
- Character feelings can be inferred from actions and context
- Cause-effect relationships are key in assumptions and conclusions
Last minute tips
- Circle inference question words (infer, imply, suggest) to stay focused on what's being asked
- If stuck between two answers, choose the one with MORE text support
- For assumption questions, ask 'What must be true for this argument to work?'
- For conclusion questions, ask 'What definitely follows from what's given?'
- Eliminate answers that go BEYOND what the passage can support
Comparison tables
Inference vs Assumption vs Conclusion
| Aspect | Inference | Assumption | Conclusion |
|---|---|---|---|
| Definition | Reading between the lines using evidence | Unstated premise needed for validity | Statement following from premises |
| Based On | Text evidence + personal knowledge | Logical necessity for argument | Given assumptions/premises |
| Question Words | infer, imply, suggest | assumes, presupposes | concludes, follows that |
| Strategy | Find clues and connect details | Find missing link for validity | Choose what logically follows |
Evidence Types for Inferences
| Evidence Type | What to Look For | Example |
|---|---|---|
| Character Actions | What characters do | Silent arrival, ignoring greetings |
| Descriptions | How things/people are described | Hesitant walking, familiar cars |
| Dialogue | What characters say | Surprise! greeting |
| Context Clues | Situational details | Exam setting, restaurant meeting |
Diagrams
Making Inferences Concept Map
Complete overview of inference concepts and their relationships
7-Step Inference Process
Step-by-step flowchart for solving inference questions systematically
Assumption vs Conclusion Decision Tree
Decision tree for distinguishing between assumption and conclusion questions