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Inference - Intermediate Level: possible inference INTERMEDIATE

Exam-focused quick response training ★ worksheet: 20 intermediate-level inference questions. Worksheet 13 of 30 targets possible inference. Build proficiency in hidden meanings, implicit information, conclusion drawing with detailed solutions. Ideal for mid-level competitive exam preparation.

📝 Worksheet 13 of 30 • 20 questions • ⏱️ Estimated time: 20 minutes • 🎯 Intermediate level

What you'll learn in this worksheet:
Your progress through Inference
Worksheet 13 of 30 (43% complete)

Question 1

Statistical information: Only 10% of unprepared students get good grades. Sam is unprepared. What is the most reasonable inference?
This is probabilistic reasoning. The statistical evidence (Only 10% of unprepared students get good grades. Sam is unprepared.) doesn't guarantee certainty, but it provides strong support for: Sam will likely not get good grades

Remember: Probability inferences are about likelihood, not certainty.
probabilistic, statistical, likelihood

Question 2

Statistical finding: Of 50 randomly selected days, 40 were sunny. The region has 365 days per year. What can you infer about the population?
This uses statistical inference: from a representative sample, we can make probabilistic claims about the population. Approximately 292 days per year are sunny in this region (80% of days) is the appropriate inference, accounting for sampling error and confidence levels.
sampling, generalization, confidence

Question 3

Observation: Hospital readmissions decreased after implementing follow-up calls What causal inference is most reasonable?
This inference uses temporal precedence (the cause occurred before the effect) and correlation to suggest causation: Follow-up calls likely reduced readmissions

However, be aware of alternative explanations (confounding variables, regression to the mean, etc.) that might also explain the observation.
causation, temporal, correlation

Question 4

Analogical reasoning: "Books store knowledge. Libraries store books." What is the most reasonable inference by analogy?
This uses analogical reasoning: Books store knowledge. Libraries store books.

The analogy maps relationships from the source domain to the target domain, suggesting: Libraries are repositories of knowledge (by storing books, libraries indirectly store the knowledge within them)

Analogical inferences are suggestive but not logically certain; the strength depends on the relevance and similarity of the mapped features.
analogy, metaphor, mapping

Question 5

Consider these premises: • If you're tired, you sleep • If you sleep, you dream • John is tired Which conclusion logically follows?
By combining the premises logically:
• If you're tired, you sleep
• If you sleep, you dream
• John is tired

We can deduce: John will dream

This uses 3-step logical reasoning, applying transitive properties and categorical logic.
syllogism, chain-reasoning

Question 6

Logical condition: A touchdown is sufficient for scoring points. The team scored a touchdown. What can you infer?
This tests necessary vs. sufficient conditions.

- If A is SUFFICIENT for B: A → B (A guarantees B, but B can happen without A)
- If A is NECESSARY for B: B → A (B cannot happen without A)

They scored points
necessary-conditions, sufficient-conditions, logic

Question 7

Rule: If it's raining, there are clouds Observation: There are no clouds What can you logically infer?
This uses the contrapositive rule. The statement "If it's raining, there are clouds" is logically equivalent to its contrapositive: 'If NOT consequence, then NOT condition.' Since we observe "There are no clouds" (the consequence is false), we can conclude "It's not raining" (the condition is false).
contrapositive, modus-tollens

Question 8

Quantifier logic: • All dogs are mammals • No cats are dogs • Some pets are cats What can be inferred about the relationships?
This tests understanding of quantifiers (all, some, no, most). Some pets are not dogs

Remember: 'Some' means 'at least one' (could be all). 'Most' means 'more than half'. No categorical statement about individuals follows from 'most' statements.
quantifiers, all-some-none, logic

Question 9

Given these logical premises: • All successful people work hard • Some hard workers are lucky • No lazy people are successful • John is successful Which statement must be true?
This requires multi-step logical deduction:
• All successful people work hard
• Some hard workers are lucky
• No lazy people are successful
• John is successful

Applying logical rules (modus ponens, modus tollens, contrapositive, transitive property, quantifier logic), we can conclude: John works hard
multi-step, quantifier, modal

Question 10

Observation: The light won't turn on. The bulb could be burned out, the switch broken, or there's no power. Which is the most reasonable inference about the cause?
This is abductive reasoning (inference to the best explanation). Given the observation 'The light won't turn on. The bulb could be burned out, the switch broken, or there's no power.', we consider possible causes and select the most plausible one. The bulb is likely burned out (most frequent cause) is the best explanation because it's the most common, simplest, or most likely cause.
abduction, best-explanation, diagnosis

Question 11

Consider this argument: "John got promoted quickly. He must have worked very hard." What unstated assumption must be true for this reasoning to be valid?
The argument makes a hidden assumption: Hard work leads to quick promotion (and no other factors like luck, connections, or timing influenced the promotion)

This assumption is not explicitly stated but is necessary for the conclusion to follow from the premises. If this assumption is false, the argument becomes weak or invalid.
assumption, critical-thinking, argument-analysis

Question 12

Given: All birds have wings. A sparrow is a bird. What can you logically conclude?
This is a direct inference. The conclusion follows necessarily from the premise: "All birds have wings. A sparrow is a bird." leads to "A sparrow has wings" because the premise establishes a universal relationship and then confirms the condition.
direct, deductive, modus-ponens

Question 13

Analogical reasoning: "Keys unlock doors. Passwords unlock computers." What is the most reasonable inference by analogy?
This uses analogical reasoning: Keys unlock doors. Passwords unlock computers.

The analogy maps relationships from the source domain to the target domain, suggesting: Passwords function like digital keys (both provide authorized access to restricted spaces)

Analogical inferences are suggestive but not logically certain; the strength depends on the relevance and similarity of the mapped features.
analogy, metaphor, mapping

Question 14

Statistical information: 75% of rainy days are cloudy. Today is rainy. What is the most reasonable inference?
This is probabilistic reasoning. The statistical evidence (75% of rainy days are cloudy. Today is rainy.) doesn't guarantee certainty, but it provides strong support for: Today is probably cloudy

Remember: Probability inferences are about likelihood, not certainty.
probabilistic, statistical, likelihood

Question 15

Consider these premises: • If you're tired, you sleep • If you sleep, you dream • John is tired Which conclusion logically follows?
By combining the premises logically:
• If you're tired, you sleep
• If you sleep, you dream
• John is tired

We can deduce: John will dream

This uses 3-step logical reasoning, applying transitive properties and categorical logic.
syllogism, chain-reasoning

Question 16

Given these logical premises: • If you study, you'll pass • If you pass, you'll graduate • You didn't graduate Which statement must be true?
This requires multi-step logical deduction:
• If you study, you'll pass
• If you pass, you'll graduate
• You didn't graduate

Applying logical rules (modus ponens, modus tollens, contrapositive, transitive property, quantifier logic), we can conclude: You didn't study
multi-step, quantifier, modal

Question 17

Statistical finding: Of 50 randomly selected days, 40 were sunny. The region has 365 days per year. What can you infer about the population?
This uses statistical inference: from a representative sample, we can make probabilistic claims about the population. Approximately 292 days per year are sunny in this region (80% of days) is the appropriate inference, accounting for sampling error and confidence levels.
sampling, generalization, confidence

Question 18

Consider these premises: • If you save money, you become wealthy • If you become wealthy, you can travel • Emma saves money Which conclusion logically follows?
By combining the premises logically:
• If you save money, you become wealthy
• If you become wealthy, you can travel
• Emma saves money

We can deduce: Emma can travel

This uses 3-step logical reasoning, applying transitive properties and categorical logic.
syllogism, chain-reasoning

Question 19

Given: All birds have wings. A sparrow is a bird. What can you logically conclude?
This is a direct inference. The conclusion follows necessarily from the premise: "All birds have wings. A sparrow is a bird." leads to "A sparrow has wings" because the premise establishes a universal relationship and then confirms the condition.
direct, deductive, modus-ponens

Question 20

Observation: Hospital readmissions decreased after implementing follow-up calls What causal inference is most reasonable?
This inference uses temporal precedence (the cause occurred before the effect) and correlation to suggest causation: Follow-up calls likely reduced readmissions

However, be aware of alternative explanations (confounding variables, regression to the mean, etc.) that might also explain the observation.
causation, temporal, correlation
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