Drawing
Conclusions
Learn to combine text details with your own reasoning to reach conclusions the author supports but never directly states.
What Is a Conclusion?
A conclusion is a judgment or decision you reach by thinking about the details in a passage. The author does not write the conclusion outright: you figure it out from the clues provided.
Details + Reasoning = Conclusion
Why Drawing Conclusions Matters
The Golden Rule of Conclusions
The Core Rule: Diagram
Conclusion vs. Inference vs. Summary
| Conclusion | Inference | Summary | |
|---|---|---|---|
| What is it? | A judgment from details | A "reading between the lines" guess | A restatement of main ideas |
| Stated in text? | No | No | Yes (rephrased) |
| Uses reasoning? | Yes: details + logic | Yes: clues + logic | No: just condenses |
| ISEE cue words | "conclude," "determine" | "infer," "suggest," "imply" | "mainly about," "best title" |
How to Draw a Conclusion: Step by Step
Worked Example: The Lemonade Stand
Question: What can you conclude Maya is doing?
Worked Example: The Library Visit
Question: What can you conclude about where Carlos is?
Worked Example: The Science Fair
Question: What can you conclude about Priya's feelings about her project?
Signal Words on the ISEE
When you see these words in a question, the test is asking you to draw a conclusion:
The Evidence Check Strategy
Common Mistakes to Avoid
Quick Reference Summary
| Step | Action | Why It Helps |
|---|---|---|
| 1. Read | Read the full passage | Get the big picture |
| 2. Identify | Spot key details | Find your evidence |
| 3. Think | Ask what details add up to | Form a conclusion |
| 4. Check | Test each choice against text | Eliminate wrong answers |
| 5. Choose | Pick strongest-supported answer | Get it right |
Question 1 of 5
"When the bell rang, students rushed into the hallway. Emma walked slowly, clutching her graded paper close to her chest. She avoided eye contact with her friends and headed straight for the exit."
Based on the passage, what can you conclude about Emma?
Question 2 of 5
"The scientist observed the mice in Cage A, which were given a sugary diet, and the mice in Cage B, which ate only regular food. After four weeks, mice in Cage A weighed 30% more than those in Cage B and moved around their cage far less often."
The reader can conclude that a sugary diet most likely:
Question 3 of 5
"Mr. Torres glanced at the dark clouds rolling in from the west. He quickly folded the lawn chairs, carried the potted plants inside, and latched every window. Then he grabbed a flashlight and a battery-powered radio from the closet."
Based on the passage, what can you conclude Mr. Torres is preparing for?
Question 4 of 5
"Aisha had been practicing her solo for weeks. As she stepped onto the stage, the bright lights warmed her face. She took a deep breath, and when the first notes of the piano introduction began, her voice rang out clear and steady across the auditorium."
It can be determined from the passage that Aisha is most likely:
Question 5 of 5
"The town council announced that the old mill on River Street would be demolished next month. In the days that followed, dozens of residents wrote letters to the local newspaper. Several organized a petition, and a group of history teachers created a presentation about the mill's role in the town's founding 200 years ago."
Based on the passage, what can you conclude about the residents' reaction?