GED Reasoning Through Language Arts
Inference & Conclusions
An inference is something the passage doesn't say outright but clearly adds up to. It is reading between the lines — but only one line between. The test rewards the small, boring conclusion the evidence forces, and punishes the interesting leap.
The words first
- inference
- a conclusion the stated facts point to, without being stated
- evidence
- the stated facts doing the pointing
- assumption
- something you brought with you that the passage never said — the enemy here
- conclusion
- what must be true if the stated facts are true
The method
THE LADDER
stated fact: Maria checked her watch four times in ten minutes.
fair inference: Maria is concerned about the time. ✓ one step
too far: Maria is late to her wedding. ✗ five steps
THE TEST FOR ANY INFERENCE ANSWER
Point to the exact words that force it.
Can't point? It is an assumption, not an inference.
SIGNAL QUESTION STEMS
"suggests that" / "implies" / "most likely" / "can be concluded"
— all mean: pick the smallest step past the text.
Worked all the way through
The problem
"When the factory whistle blew, Tom grabbed his lunch pail and ran the whole mile home." What can you infer about Tom?
- Step 1 — List only what is stated.A factory whistle blew. Tom has a lunch pail. He ran a full mile. Home is the destination.
- Step 2 — Ask what those facts point to together.Whistle + lunch pail → he works at the factory. Running the whole way → eager to get home.
- Step 3 — Reject anything the words don't force.Is he married? Poor? Late? The passage never says. Those are assumptions.
- Step 4 — Keep the small conclusion.Tom is a factory worker eager to get home.
On the board
whistle + lunch pail
stated
→ he works at the factory
one small step
ran the whole mile
stated
→ eager to get home
one small step
"he misses his wife" ✗
never stated — assumption
Answer
Tom works at the factory and is eager to get home
A second one, in a different form
"The restaurant's parking lot was empty at noon on a Saturday." What does this suggest?
empty lot, prime lunch hour
stated
→ business is slow
the small step
"the food is bad" ✗
possible, but not forced
"it's closing down" ✗
way past the evidence
Answer
The restaurant is not busy — nothing more
The usual mistake
Importing outside knowledge instead of staying inside the passage.
Check yourself
Before choosing, put your finger on the words that force the answer. If your finger has nowhere to land, you are assuming, and a smaller answer is the right one.
Practice it
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