Set 3: Inferences
Explanation
PASSAGE
Professor Harrison never smiled during lectures. His voice remained flat whether he was discussing Dante's Inferno or reading attendance. Yet every semester, his courses filled within minutes of registration opening, and his former students frequently returned to thank him years after graduating.
What does the passage suggest about Professor Harrison?
Detailed Explanation
This question asks you to draw a logical conclusion from the text. Despite no smiles and a flat voice, courses filled instantly and students returned to thank him—high value despite demeanor. A valid inference must be supported by evidence in the passage, even if not stated directly. Look for clues in the text that strongly suggest the answer. Avoid conclusions that require assumptions beyond what's written. Valid inferences are strongly supported by multiple pieces of evidence in the text. Be cautious of choices that go too far beyond what the passage actually states. The best inference is the one most directly supported by textual evidence.
Key Evidence:
• "courses filled within minutes"
• "former students returned to thank him"
Why others are wrong: A (Gratitude implies effective teaching.), B (Students fill his classes and thank him later.), D (Subject preference isn't mentioned.).