CAEL Reading: Making Inferences 2 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: A passage states: 'The laboratory results were inconclusive, and the research team requested additional funding before proceeding.' What can be inferred about the project's status?
- The project has been cancelled permanently.
- The project is on hold pending more resources. (Correct answer)
- The team is satisfied with the current findings.
- The funding request was already approved.
Correct answer: The project is on hold pending more resources.
Requesting additional funding before proceeding implies the project is paused, not cancelled or completed.
Question 2: A student reads: 'Despite submitting three applications, Maria had not received a single interview invitation.' What does this suggest about her job search?
- She is not seriously looking for work.
- She has been unemployed for many years.
- Her applications have not led to success so far. (Correct answer)
- She prefers to work without an interview.
Correct answer: Her applications have not led to success so far.
The word 'despite' signals effort without result, implying her applications have been unsuccessful.
Question 3: A passage reads: 'The coastal town relied almost exclusively on tourism until the fishing industry was revived.' What can be inferred about the town's economy now?
- Tourism remains the only economic activity.
- The town now has at least two economic sectors. (Correct answer)
- The fishing industry replaced tourism entirely.
- The town's economy has declined significantly.
Correct answer: The town now has at least two economic sectors.
'Relied almost exclusively on tourism until' implies a shift, suggesting fishing now supplements tourism.
Question 4: An academic text notes: 'Early studies suggested a link between the two variables, but subsequent research could not replicate the findings.' What does this imply about the original studies?
- The original studies are now widely accepted.
- The link between variables is definitively proven.
- The validity of the early findings is questionable. (Correct answer)
- Subsequent research confirmed the original results.
Correct answer: The validity of the early findings is questionable.
Failure to replicate findings casts doubt on the reliability of the original studies.
Question 5: A passage states: 'The mayor attended the ribbon-cutting ceremony but left without making any public statements.' What can be inferred about the mayor's position on the new facility?
- The mayor strongly supports the new facility.
- The mayor's stance on the facility is ambiguous. (Correct answer)
- The mayor is opposed to the new facility.
- The mayor was unaware of the ceremony's significance.
Correct answer: The mayor's stance on the facility is ambiguous.
Attending without speaking makes it impossible to determine the mayor's position from this information alone.
Question 6: A reading passage says: 'The mountaineering team turned back two hundred metres from the summit after one member suffered frostbite.' What can be inferred about the team's decision?
- They chose safety over reaching their goal. (Correct answer)
- They will never attempt the climb again.
- The summit was unreachable due to weather.
- They lacked the equipment to proceed.
Correct answer: They chose safety over reaching their goal.
Turning back due to frostbite indicates the team prioritized the injured member's safety over completing the ascent.
Question 7: A text reads: 'The professor distributed the syllabus on the first day, emphasized the no-late-work policy, and mentioned that participation counted for thirty percent of the grade.' What can be inferred about this professor's teaching approach?
- The professor does not value student participation.
- The professor prioritizes clear expectations and accountability. (Correct answer)
- The professor is lenient about deadlines.
- The professor rarely communicates with students.
Correct answer: The professor prioritizes clear expectations and accountability.
Emphasizing policies, deadlines, and participation weighting on day one signals a structured, accountability-focused approach.
CAEL Reading: Making Inferences 2
A passage states: 'The laboratory results were inconclusive, and the research team requested additional funding before proceeding.' What can be inferred about the project's status?