Reading and Comprehension: Inference, Evidence and Summary
The Reading and Comprehension domain tests how well you extract, interpret and evaluate meaning from unseen passages. Questions usually move from literal recall to inference, vocabulary in context, summary and the writer's purpose or tone. Marks are earned by answering the exact question with evidence, not by writing everything you know about the topic.
Match the answer to the command word
- State/identify: give the point briefly, often in a phrase.
- Explain: give the point plus a reason.
- Infer: combine textual evidence with a logical deduction.
- In your own words: paraphrase the idea; do not lift a whole sentence.
- Summarise: select main ideas, omit examples and repetition.
Evidence and inference
An inference must be traceable to words in the passage. Underline the phrase that supports your answer, then ask what it implies. Distinguish fact from opinion and notice tone words such as reluctantly, sceptical or boasted.
Worked example
Passage: When the councillor promised that the road would be sealed before Christmas, the market women exchanged glances and said nothing. Only two people attended the meeting called to discuss the plan. Question: What does the writer suggest about the villagers' attitude to the promise? Support your answer. Reasoning: 'exchanged glances and said nothing' signals unspoken doubt, and 'only two people attended' shows low confidence. The attitude is scepticism, not anger. Answer: They doubted the promise: they looked at one another without speaking, and almost nobody attended the follow-up meeting, which suggests little faith in it.
Traps that cost marks
- Copying long chunks when the question says 'in your own words'.
- Offering a guess as an inference without textual support.
- Answering only one half of a two-part question.
- Writing a summary that includes examples or repeats the same idea.
- Missing irony or tone because you read too quickly.