Reading Comprehension: Specific vs. Inference

[adm45]

Hi,

In reading comprehension, how can you spot when your being asked a Specific vs. Inference question?

Thanks,

[StaceyKoprince]

Good question. Open up your official guide and look at questions you've already done: how does the wording differ? What patterns can you notice?

Most of the time, inference questions use some form of the words infer, imply, or suggest. Sometimes it'll say something like "would most likely agree with..."

Specific detail questions often use the words "according to the passage" or otherwise refer specifically to something that was stated / mentioned in the passage. An except question might also say something like "each of the following" (except one) "is mentioned / can be found / etc" in the passage except...

Test yourself out on some questions you've done in the past and see what else you can pick up about how to differentiate these. :)