Inferences are

Inferences are

• A. Explanations of what else might be true or what might have caused the observed phenomenon
• B. Direct quotes
• C. Facts stated explicitly
• D. Main idea

Answer: (A)

An inference is a conclusion you reach based on clues in the text and what you already know. It’s about what could be true or why something happened, even if the author doesn’t state it directly. That’s why the option describing explanations of what else might be true or what might have caused the observed phenomenon is the best fit. Direct quotes are exact words from the text, not conclusions. Facts stated explicitly are those details the author says outright. The main idea is the overall point the passage makes, not a guess about what happened.

An inference is a conclusion you reach based on clues in the text and what you already know. It’s about what could be true or why something happened, even if the author doesn’t state it directly. That’s why the option describing explanations of what else might be true or what might have caused the observed phenomenon is the best fit. Direct quotes are exact words from the text, not conclusions. Facts stated explicitly are those details the author says outright. The main idea is the overall point the passage makes, not a guess about what happened.