Inference - Answer Marking Guide - Test 1 - Inference & Test 2 - Recognition of Assumptions

Sep 30, 2026

Instructional materials for two reasoning tests. Test 1 explains how to draw inferences from stated facts and how to rate each inference as definitely true (T), probably true (PT), insufficient data (ID), probably false (PF), or definitely false (F). It also demonstrates application using an example scenario, showing how evidence and common knowledge affect judgments and why multiple inferences must be assessed independently. Test 2 defines assumptions, provides marking directions for assumptions made vs not made, and includes a worked example statement with proposed assumptions to illustrate evaluation.

LanguageEnglish

CategoryExam

FormatPDF

Pages6

Reading Time15 min

AccessFree to download

Test 1: Inference

Directions and scoring labels

Example and evaluation of inferences

Independent judgment rule

Test 2: Recognition of Assumptions

Definition of assumption

Marking directions

Example statement and proposed assumptions

Test 1: Inference Directions An inference is a conclusion a person can draw from certain observed or supposed facts. For example, if the lights are on in a house and voices can be heard coming from the house, a person might infer that someone is at home. But this inference may or may not be correct. Possibly the people in the house did not turn the lights and the television off when they left the house. In this test, each exercise begins with a statement offacts that you are to regard as true. After each statement of facts you will find several possible inferences—that is, conclusions that some persons might draw from the stated facts. Examine each inference separately, and make a decision as to its degree of truth or falsity. For each inference you will find spaces on the answer sheet labeled T, PT, ID, PF, and F. For each inference make a mark on the answer sheet under the appropriate heading as follows: T if you think the inference is definitely TRUE; that it properly follows beyond a reasonable doubt from the statement offacts given. PT if, in the light offacts given, you think the inference is PROBABLY TRUE; that it is more likely to be true than false. ID if you decide that there are INSUFFICIENT DATA; that you cannot tell from the facts given whether the inference is likely to be true or false; if the facts provide no basis for judging one way or the other. PF if, in the light of the facts given, you think the inference is PROBABLY FALSE; that it is more likely to be false than true. F if you think the inference is definitely FALSE; that it is wrong, either because it misinterprets the facts given, or because it contradicts the facts or necessary inferences from those facts. Sometimes, in deciding whether an inference is probably true or probably false, you will have to use certain commonly accepted knowledge or information that practically every person has. This will be illustrated in the example that follows. Example Two hundred students in their early teens voluntarily attended a recent weekend student conference in a Midwestern city. At this conference, the topics of race relations and means of achieving lasting world peace were discussed, because these were the problems the students selected as being most vital in today’s world. 1. As a group, the students who attended this conference showed a keener interest in broad social problems than do most other students in their early teens. Copyright © 2008 by Pearson Education, Inc. or its affiliate(s) . All rights reserved. 1 2. The majority of the students had not previously discussed the conference topics in their schools. 3. The students came from all sections of the country. 4. The students discussed mainly labor relations problems. 5. Some teenage students felt it worthwhile to discuss problems of race relations and ways of achieving world peace.{End box for example.} In the above example, inference 1 is probably true (PT) because (as is common knowledge) most people in their early teens do not show so much serious concern with broad social problems. It cannot be considered definitely true from the facts given because these facts do not tell how much concern other young teenagers may have. It is also possible that some of the students volunteered to attend mainly because they wanted a weekend outing. Inference 2 is probably false (PF) because the students’ growing awareness of these topics probably stemmed at least in part from discussions with teachers and classmates. There is no evidence for inference 3. Thus there are insufficient data (ID) for making a judgment on the matter. Inference 4 is definitely false (F) because it is given in the statement of facts that the topics of race relations and means of achieving world peace were the problems chosen for discussion. Inference 5 necessarily follows from the given facts; it therefore is true (T) . In the exercises that follow, more than one of the inferences from a giv

FAQs

What do T, PT, ID, PF, and F mean in the inference test?

T means definitely true, PT means probably true, ID means insufficient data, PF means probably false, and F means definitely false.

In Test 1, how should each inference be judged?

Each inference must be examined separately and marked independently, using the given facts and any commonly accepted knowledge when needed.

What is an assumption in Test 2, and how is it marked?

An assumption is something taken for granted in a statement. If it is truly presupposed, the answer sheet is marked under ASSUMPTION MADE; otherwise it is marked under ASSUMPTION NOT MADE.

Sep 30, 2026

Upload by gewufjwa