PSAT Critical Reading
Master the skills to understand, analyze, and interpret reading passages on the PSAT.
Basic Concepts
Making Inferences
Reading Between the Lines
Inference questions require you to go beyond what is directly stated. You need to use clues from the passage and your own reasoning to figure out what the author implies.
Strategies for Inferences
- Look for Hints: Authors often suggest ideas without saying them outright.
- Connect the Dots: Use information from different parts of the passage.
- Watch for Context: A single word or phrase can change meaning based on context.
Use in Everyday Life
We make inferences all the time—like guessing a friend’s mood from their texts or predicting plot twists in movies.
Examples
A character is described as ‘shivering and glancing at the clock’—you infer they are anxious.
A passage notes rising sea levels and unusual storms; you infer the author is concerned about climate change.
In a Nutshell
Inference means figuring out what’s not directly said, using clues and reasoning.