Reading: Inference and Critical Analysis Flashcards

A passage ends: "He folded the letter, placed it in the drawer, and never spoke of his brother again." The reader can infer that the relationship between the brothers was:

Answer: Permanently broken or painful

Hiding the letter and refusing to speak of his brother implies a permanently broken or painful relationship.

Which question would best help a reader critically evaluate an author's argument?

Answer: What evidence supports the author's claims?

Asking what evidence supports the claims directly tests the strength of the argument.

An author writes, "Some experts believe the treatment works." The vague phrase "some experts" should make a critical reader:

Answer: Question who the experts are and how many

Vague attribution should prompt a reader to ask who the experts are and how representative they are.

A narrator describes a festival but mentions only the litter, the noise, and the crowds. This selective detail suggests the narrator:

Answer: Has a negative view of the festival

Choosing only unpleasant details reveals the narrator's negative view of the festival.

Which statement best distinguishes an inference from a summary?

Answer: An inference is a conclusion drawn from clues; a summary condenses stated content

An inference draws a conclusion from textual clues, while a summary condenses what is actually stated.

An author claims a diet is effective and notes, "Thousands have already tried it." Relying on the number of users as proof is an example of:

Answer: An appeal to popularity

Citing how many people use something as proof it works is an appeal to popularity, not evidence of effectiveness.

A passage states a fire alarm rang, people grabbed their belongings calmly, and exited in single file. The reader can infer the group was:

Answer: Well-prepared and orderly

Calmly gathering belongings and exiting in single file implies a well-prepared, orderly group.