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LSAT inference questions ask what the text supports. Learn how they work in Logical Reasoning and Reading Comprehension, and how to avoid going too far.
Quick answer: an inference question asks what the text supports, even if it is not stated directly. On the LSAT, inferring does not mean guessing. The right answer stays close to the text and goes no further than the facts allow.
Which one of the following is most strongly supported by the information above?
It can be inferred from the passage that…
The author would be most likely to agree with which one of the following?
How to Solve Inference Questions
Find what the text says, not what you would add.
Note strong words such as “all,” “most” and “never.”
Go back and find the line that supports each answer you are considering.
Prefer modest wording.
Pick the answer with the clearest support.
Inference Questions Example
This is a practice example we wrote to show the idea. It is not a real LSAT question.
Argument: Most of the town’s new homes use solar panels. Homes with solar panels had lower power bills last year.
Question: Which one of the following is most strongly supported?
Best answer: Many of the town’s new homes had lower power bills last year.
Why: Most new homes have panels, and homes with panels had lower bills, so this modest claim is supported. It would go too far to say all new homes had lower bills, or that the panels caused it.
Common Traps
Answers that make sense in real life but are not in the text.
Answers that use stronger words than the text.
Answers that add a cause when the text only gives a link.
Inference Questions FAQ
Are inference questions in both LR and RC?
Yes. They appear in both, and the method is the same: stay close to the text.
Can an inference repeat the text?
Yes. A right answer can be close to what is written.
How do I tell “must be true” from “most strongly supported”?
The first needs full proof. The second needs strong support, so a little less.
