RLA Inference and Drawing Conclusions 3

Question 1

Read: "The company's profits rose 12% this quarter, yet it announced layoffs affecting 300 employees." What inference can be drawn about the company's priorities?

Accepted Answer

The company appears to prioritize shareholder returns over employee retention

Answer

Cutting jobs while profits rise suggests the company is using layoffs to further increase financial returns rather than responding to economic hardship.

Question 2

A passage describes a politician who votes against a bill but later takes credit for the programs it funded. What can be inferred about the politician?

Accepted Answer

The politician is attempting to benefit politically from an outcome they opposed

Answer

Opposing a bill while claiming credit for its results is inconsistent behavior that suggests opportunism—taking political advantage without accepting responsibility for the vote.

Question 3

Read: "Studies show students who eat breakfast score higher on morning exams. Schools in the district that introduced free breakfast programs saw test scores rise by 8%." What conclusion is most strongly supported?

Accepted Answer

Ensuring students have breakfast may positively impact their academic performance

Answer

Both the general study data and the specific district outcome support the conclusion that breakfast access can benefit academic performance, though other factors also play a role.

Question 4

Which of the following is an example of an overgeneralization based on limited evidence?

Accepted Answer

Three students failed the quiz, so the entire class must be struggling with the material

Answer

Concluding the entire class is struggling based on only three students failing is an overgeneralization—it applies a limited observation too broadly.

Question 5

Read: "The documentary received rave reviews from critics but earned less than $200,000 at the box office." What can be inferred about the documentary?

Accepted Answer

The documentary appealed strongly to critics but had limited mass-market appeal

Answer

A gap between critical acclaim and low box office earnings suggests the film resonated with expert reviewers but not with broad audiences—a common pattern for niche or art-house films.

RLA - Reasoning through Language Arts Practice Test

RLA - Reasoning through Language Arts Practice Test

RLA Inference and Drawing Conclusions 3