Inferences and Conclusions on the ACT® Reading Test
Read time: 2 minutes Last updated: September 23rd, 2024
You'll frequently be asked to draw conclusions and inferences on the ACT® Reading Test. Fortunately, there is never any guessing involved. These questions always ask about details in the text. The optimal strategy for solving these questions alleviates the pressure to guess some students feel.
Example Question Phrasing
Here are some ways these questions might be phrased:
- What can be inferred from the passage…?
- What can be reasonably inferred from the passage…?
- What can we assume…?
- What can be reasonably assumed…?
- What can be logically concluded…?
You'll notice the questions can either include or omit the word "reasonable." "Reasonable" in this context means "based on evidence." Whether or not the question says "reasonable," it's looking for an evidence-based answer.
Understanding "Reasonable" Inferences
When the ACT® asks for a "reasonable" inference, they're not testing your ability to make wild guesses or creative leaps. Instead, they want you to draw conclusions that are directly supported by the information given in the passage. Think of it as connecting the dots using only the dots provided in the text.
Optimal Technique to Solve
As explained above, the ACT® Reading Test does not want you to guess on this or any question. That means the inferences, assumptions, and conclusions they're asking you to make aren't guesses. This test isn't being given in your English class. It's a standardized test. There's no objective measure of what one student would assume vs another. The only metric the test has to go off of is how well a student can align inferences, assumptions, and conclusions with details in the text.
Here's a step-by-step approach to tackle these questions:
- Read the entire question carefully.
- Find the relevant details in the passage. Use skimming and scanning techniques as necessary.
- Formulate your own answer based on the passage details before looking at the options.
- Read through all answer choices thoroughly.
- Eliminate incorrect answers and select the best option that aligns with the passage.
When looking for information, keep in mind to skim and scan as necessary. Sometimes the question may give you line references, but not always. If you're skipping around some questions, you may want to save this type of question until you've done all line reference questions.
Remember to always base your inferences and conclusions on the specific information provided in the passage. By following this approach, you can confidently answer these questions without feeling pressured to make unsupported guesses.