Set 5: Inferences

Explanation

Answer: D

PASSAGE

Elena's grandmother had always said, 'Never trust a person who doesn't like dogs.' When Elena brought her new boyfriend home and watched him shrink away from the family's golden retriever, she tried to convince herself it meant nothing.

What does the passage suggest about Elena's feelings?

A. She is confident her grandmother will approve of her boyfriend.

B. She agrees that her grandmother's advice is outdated.

C. She plans to get rid of the family dog.

D. She may be experiencing doubt despite wanting to dismiss it.✓ Correct

Detailed Explanation

This question asks you to draw a logical conclusion from the text. 'Tried to convince herself it meant nothing'—the effort to convince suggests underlying doubt. 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:

• "tried to convince herself it meant nothing"

Why others are wrong: A (The boyfriend failed the 'dog test.'), B (She's worried, not dismissive.), C (Nothing suggests removing the dog.).

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