Reading: Reading for Inference
B1 Lesson 2: Drawing Simple Conclusions
Before You Read 🧠
Key Vocabulary
Understanding these terms will help you be a better reading detective.
How to Be a Reading Detective 🕵️♀️
When you draw a conclusion, you look at all the facts (the evidence) and make a final, logical judgment about the situation. Follow these three steps.
- Gather the Evidence: Read the text and identify all the important facts and details.
- Connect the Clues: Ask yourself, "What do all these facts mean when I put them together?"
- Make a Judgment: Form a conclusion that is supported by all the evidence combined.
Practice Example 1: The Weather
The sky to the west turned dark grey. The wind began to blow hard, making the coconut palm trees bend. Shopkeepers along the riverfront started to pull their signs and tables inside. Far away, a low rumble could be heard.
Detective's Notes
- Evidence 1: The sky is dark grey.
- Evidence 2: The wind is strong.
- Evidence 3: Shopkeepers are protecting their things.
- Evidence 4: There is a rumble (thunder).
Conclusion: A big rainstorm is coming soon.
Practice Example 2: The Moto
Mr. Chea looked at his old moto. One tire was flat, and he knew the engine had not started in weeks. He saw a new patch of rust growing on the side. He sighed, then took out his smartphone and opened an app to check prices for new motos.
Detective's Notes
- Evidence 1: The moto has a flat tire.
- Evidence 2: The engine is broken.
- Evidence 3: It is getting rusty.
- Evidence 4: He is checking prices for new motos.
Conclusion: Mr. Chea has decided his old moto is not worth fixing and is planning to buy a new one.
Practice What You Learned 🎯
Quiz: Be the Judge!
Read the situation below and draw the most logical conclusion.
"Nary has an important university entrance exam tomorrow at 8:00 AM. Her school books and notes are spread all over her desk. Next to the books is an empty coffee cup and a half-eaten plate of rice. She looks at the clock, which says it is 11:30 PM, and she yawns widely."
What is the best conclusion you can draw from this situation?
- A. Nary is not worried about her exam.
- B. Nary has been studying late into the night for her exam.
- C. Nary has already finished her exam and is relaxing.
→ Answer: B. All the pieces of evidence (the exam tomorrow, open books, empty coffee cup, late time, yawning) work together to support this conclusion.
Key Vocabulary Reference
- Conclusion A final judgment or decision made after looking at all the facts and evidence.
- Evidence The facts, signs, or information in a text that help you make a judgment.
- Logical Sensible and based on facts and reason, not on emotion.
Your Reading Mission ⭐
Draw Your Own Conclusion!
Read the pieces of evidence below. Then, write one sentence that is a logical conclusion.
Evidence:
- The cafe is usually busy at 7:00 PM.
- Tonight at 7:00 PM, all the lights are off.
- The chairs are on top of the tables.
- There is a "Closed for Holiday" sign on the door.
Your Conclusion: ___________________________________
(Example Answer: The cafe is closed for a holiday.)