Tayarri SAT
Reading and Writing, Information and Ideas, Stage 2

Inferences on the SAT: lesson and practice

Inference questions ask which conclusion "most logically completes the text". The right answer is the one conclusion the text fully supports, no more and no less. Wrong answers usually go too far (always, all, proves), bring in information the text never gives, or contradict it.

Loading practice…

A three-step method

  1. Find the evidence in the text: the observation, result, or comparison.
  2. Predict the conclusion in modest words: "this suggests that…"
  3. Choose the most careful match. The right answer often uses words like may, might, or suggests.

Example

People who own dogs walk more, but people who like walking may be more likely to get dogs. So the study cannot show on its own that owning a dog causes people to walk more.

"Proves that dogs make people healthier" goes too far; "found no difference" contradicts the text.

Common mistakes

Going too farOne study cannot prove a rule about everyone.
Outside informationIf the text never mentions it, it cannot be the answer.
Reversing a detailCheck each choice against the facts given.
Ask: would the author sign their name to this exact sentence based only on this text?

Sample questions with answers

1. After a canal brought year-round water, wheat farmers began growing vegetables too. This suggests that…
  1. wheat can no longer be grown.
  2. steady water made growing vegetables possible. (correct)
  3. vegetables earn more money.
  4. the canal was for drinking water.

The change followed the new water supply; the other choices go too far or add new information.

2. A painting thought to be from the 1600s contains a pigment first made in the 1800s. This suggests that…
  1. the artist used blue often.
  2. the painting, or part of it, was made after the 1600s. (correct)
  3. the painting is valuable.
  4. the artist invented the pigment.

The pigment could not have been used before it existed.

3. Dog owners walk more, but walkers may be more likely to get dogs. The study…
  1. proves dogs improve health.
  2. cannot show on its own that dogs cause more walking. (correct)
  3. shows walking causes dog ownership.
  4. found no difference.

The researchers point out another possible explanation.

Frequently asked questions

What are inference questions on the SAT?

They ask which choice most logically completes a text, usually a conclusion drawn from evidence in the passage.

How do I avoid choices that go too far?

Watch for strong words like always, all, proves and never. The right answer is usually cautious.

Can the answer include outside knowledge?

No. The conclusion must follow from the text alone.

Are inference questions hard?

They are among the more challenging Reading and Writing questions because several choices sound reasonable. Practice spotting the three traps.

Keep going