Inferential Questions — Fundamental Concepts

Fundamental Concepts

Inference map

Write premises → permitted conclusion. Every part of the conclusion must be traceable to a premise or a valid relation between premises. Outside knowledge is not an additional premise unless the question explicitly permits it.

Five controls

1
Direction: — “Accepted implies verified” permits accepted → verified. It does not permit verified → accepted.
2
Scope: — evidence about sampled villages supports a claim about that sample. A state-wide claim requires an additional basis.
3
Measure: — totals, averages and rates answer different questions. Higher expenditure does not automatically mean higher spending per person.
4
Cause: — one event following another establishes sequence. A causal conclusion requires evidence beyond the sequence itself.
5
Voice: — distinguish the author from people whose opinions the author reports. A quoted objection may later be rejected.

Counterexample test

Keep every premise true. Try to make the proposed conclusion false. If this is possible, the conclusion is not necessary. Do not create a counterexample by denying a premise.

Answer strength

Read the stem's standard: must follow, most reasonable inference or author's likely position. Check the force of the option's words against that standard. “Some”, “all”, “may” and “must” are different commitments. Balanced tone alone does not prove correctness; a cautious-sounding statement can still lack support. Record the exact relation that makes the chosen answer defensible.