Making Inferences from Text Flashcards
7 cards from real OSSLT practice questions. Tap to flip, then mark Knew It or Still Learning — missed cards come back until you master them.
Read the first 7 Making Inferences from Text flashcards as text
A memoir passage reads: 'My grandmother kept every birthday card she ever received, bound with elastic bands and sorted by year, in a shoebox under her bed.' What can readers infer about the grandmother?
Answer: She placed great sentimental value on personal connections and memories.
Carefully preserving and organizing birthday cards over many years implies she treasured the relationships and memories they represented.
A short story includes this line: 'The coach looked at the scoreboard, then at the bench, then at the scoreboard again — and said nothing.' What is most likely implied?
Answer: The coach is at a loss and does not know how to respond to the situation.
Repeatedly looking between the scoreboard and the bench without speaking suggests the coach is struggling to find a response or solution.
An informational text states: 'Countries that invested heavily in early childhood education in the 1980s now rank among the highest in adult literacy rates.' What can be inferred from this information?
Answer: Early investment in childhood education can produce long-term literacy benefits.
The correlation between past early-education investment and present high literacy rates implies a long-term positive effect.
A graphic novel panel shows a character smiling widely in the foreground while, in the background, her reflection in a window shows a frown. What is the artist implying?
Answer: The character is hiding her true feelings behind a public smile.
Contrasting a public smile with a private frown visible in a reflection is a classic visual technique for showing emotional concealment.
A passage reads: 'The rescue dog pressed itself into the corner whenever a door slammed, and would not eat if strangers were in the room.' What can readers infer about the dog's past?
Answer: The dog likely experienced fear or stress in its previous situation.
Fear responses to loud sounds and the presence of strangers suggest the dog developed these reactions in a stressful or threatening past environment.
An article notes: 'The city unveiled its new transit plan to widespread applause — until residents noticed that none of the new routes served the north end.' What can be inferred about the initial applause?
Answer: The applause was based on incomplete understanding of the plan's full scope.
Applause that fades once residents notice a major gap implies the initial approval was given without full information.
A short story ends with: 'She placed the acceptance letter face-down on the kitchen table and went to tend the garden her mother had planted thirty years ago.' What can be inferred about the character's decision?
Answer: She is conflicted and seeking comfort in a connection to her roots before deciding.
Placing the letter face-down and retreating to her late mother's garden suggests she is wrestling with a difficult choice and seeking emotional grounding.