What is the focus of inference questions in the Reading Comprehension section?

Inference questions in the Reading Comprehension section specifically focus on the ability to draw conclusions based on information presented in the text. These questions require readers to go beyond the literal meaning of the words and connect different ideas, themes, or implications that might not be explicitly stated. For instance, a question may ask what the author implies about a character's motivations or feelings, prompting the reader to use clues from the passage to infer an answer.

The reasoning behind this focus on inference lies in the assessment of a reader's critical thinking skills and comprehension depth. While the ability to identify vocabulary, summarize main ideas, or ascertain publication dates are important reading skills, inference specifically targets the nuanced understanding of the material—an essential skill for engaging with complex texts and arguments.