07/24/15 November 23, 2015 2:11 PM 1_R.1_TEASVI
8 Key ideas and details ATI TEAS STUDY MANUAL
ATI TEAS STUDY MANUAL Key ideas and details 9
R .1. 2 Infer the logical conclusion
from a reading selection.
This objective includes, but is not
limited to, the following examples
of knowledge, skills, and abilities.
• Use inferences based on
information given.
• Identify key terms justifying
the events selected.
• Assemble events identified
and associated with the
inferred information to
draw a conclusion.
Whether you are reading an informational text, procedure, news
article, or story, having the ability to infer logical conclusions based
on what you’ve read is a true test of your comprehension. All writing
has some level of suggestion because v arious readers’ experiences bring diverse
relatabilit y to a passage. But key terms and de scriptions provide st ructure for common
understanding. To prepare for this TEAS task, look for key terms—including t hose
providing in formation about events—that should lead you to a par ticular conclusion.
Practice asking yourself, “What can I infer based on what I’ve just read?”
Critical readers make sense of passages by ev aluating t he information provided. Strong
readers use indiv idual experiences, in addition to the tex t, to construct meaning. In
order to use the text, the reader must obser ve facts, delineate arguments, and discern
valid information provided by the author. Then, the reader must combine what the
author has provided w ith indiv idual experiences to draw inference from the selection.
Inference is readi ng between the l ines of what is stated. In oth er words, it is applying logic
(experience) to facts and evidence coupled with recognizing the context clues prov ided.
Identifying key terms is critical to understanding the context of a given passage.
Key terms include those that prov ide sequence or chronology, descriptive words and
phrases, and words t hat convey value judgments and opin ion. These key terms can
provide both explicit information and the implicit information that allows the reader
to make inferences. Take this example:
There was a time when I would have put up with his dismissive
behavior, but those days, I’m happy to report, are long gone.
We can infer from the passage that t he writer was previously a more passive person
based on the key terms related to c hronology, and we can infer that the writer prefers
his or her current attitude based on the key term related to a value judg ment. We can
conclude from these inferences that the writer had a confrontation w ith the person
mentioned in this sentence.
Many readers assume that mak ing an inference and draw ing a conclusion are t he
same. Each activity demands that a reader fill in some blanks. However, there is
a subt le difference between the two. An inference suggests an idea by details and
evidence in a passage. A conclusion asks t he reader to analyze and make a decision
based on predict ions, details, evidence, and results. Below is an example of using
inferences (clues in bold) to draw a conclusion.
The fisherman stood on the banks of the lake, eyeing the sluggish fish
come close to his line but never bite. As he wa ited for t he sun to go
behind the mountain, the sweat stains on his shirt grew in diameter.
Conclusion: The man is fishing in the midafter noon and it is too hot for the fish to
bite. It is safe to predict that he t hinks he will have better success in the eveni ng.
Key terms
conclusion. A deduction made
by a reader about an unstated
outcome from a reading passage.
explicit. Clearly stated.
implication. Something not clearly s tated.
inference. A conclusion reached
by critical thinking.
logic. The framework of reaso ning
used to understand ideas.
R.1 . 2 Practice problems
Read the follo wing pass age. Then, answer the que stions.
Every 2 weeks , when Ray arrives home, the first thing he d oes is put his bag of muddy, oily clothes on top of th e industrial washing machine
he and Lori purcha sed last year. Lori insisted they buy the wa sh machine so she could do his laundry separate f rom the family’s daily wash.
After he unpack s from his 2 weeks away, he showers in orde r to be refreshed for his family. Then, he plays some games in the yard with t he
kids. Finally, the family goes to dinner s o Lori does not have to make a dinner and do l aundry.
1. Which of the following is Ray’s job?
A. Farrier
B. Teacher
C. Rig worker
D. Electrician
2. Which of the follow ing phrases helps the
reader ass emble the events in thi s passage?
A. the first thing
B. on top of
C. s eparate from
D. with the kids
3. What conclusio ns can be drawn about Ray
and Lori’s relationship?
READING
