Which term describes the process of drawing conclusions from clues in a text?

• A. Imagery
• B. Infer
• C. Setting
• D. Theme

Answer: (B)

Drawing conclusions from clues in a text is inferring. Inferring means using what the text shows—facts, actions, dialogue, and details—plus what you already know to figure out meanings or feelings that the author doesn’t state outright. This helps you understand characters’ motives, mood, or what might happen next, by reading between the lines and connecting evidence from the story to your own reasoning. For example, if a character keeps glancing at the door and muttering under their breath, you can infer they’re anxious or worried about something even if the text doesn’t say it directly. This skill is different from imagery, which uses sensory details to create pictures in your mind; setting, which is the time and place of the story; and theme, which is the broader message or insight the author communicates.