Make Inferences and Draw Conclusions About a Text’s Purpose and Meaning – Lesson 1

Learning Goals

By the end of this lesson, you will be able to:

• Make logical inferences about a text

Why do I need to know this?

In the nursing profession, you will make inferences each day as you diagnose and treat your patients. You’ll also need to use evidence presented in case notes and other texts when deciding on the best course of action for patients. Plus, it’s a key skill for this exam!

Key Vocabulary

Here are some words you should know that will make this lesson easier:

• Logical: Something that is logical is grounded in sound evidence.

• Inference: An educated guess based on the logical evidence presented in a text

• Conclusion: Another word for an inference.

Key Points 

Take note of these key points!

✅ Authors want readers to be able to infer logical conclusions, so they include relevant textual evidence to support their claims.

✅ Relevant textual evidence can include:

• Quotes from experts

• Data

• Statistics

• Examples

How Do We Identify a Logical Inference?

Here are some helpful steps to follow:

Step 1 –  Read the paragraph or passage.

Step 2 –  Read the answer choices.

Step 3 –  Ask yourself: is there relevant textual evidence to support this conclusion?

Step 4 –  Narrow down your options: decipher between the good and the best answer choice.

(NurseHub Note: The process of Elimination, or narrowing down your answer options, is especially helpful with this question type. You can understand the good and ultimately the best answer choices by asking yourself, “Which answer choice reflects the best inference or conclusion?,” and, “Which answer choice has the most relevant evidence to back it up?”)

Let’s walk through a few example questions together. First, we’ll look at two questions pertaining to two different, specific paragraphs.

Example 1

This is one way that you could see a question about inferences and conclusions, independent of an entire passage. First, read the short statements, and then go through the steps to making a logical conclusion.

The workforce today has increasing demands for specialty degrees. Based on data from the last 15 years, more students are currently pursuing degrees in higher education. In fact, most students today graduate with at least a master’s degree and secure higher-paying positions at a younger age.

Now that you understand the topic, think about what logical conclusion can be made about it. After you’re done, click the drop down to see what I came up with!

What logical conclusion can be made about the paragraph?

The workforce today has increasing demands for specialty degrees. Based on data from the last 15 years, more students are currently pursuing degrees in higher education. In fact, most students today graduate with at least a master’s degree and secure higher paying positions at a younger age.

Let’s try another! Read the passage, identify the topic, and make a logical inference. Click the drop downs to see if our answers match up. 

Doctors have recently studied the cardiovascular health of adults who spend at least 2 hours a day in movement. These individuals are not necessarily lifting weights or running; many are simply walking throughout the day and as their mode of transportation. The study participants were found to have healthier hearts than people who were sedentary the majority of the day.