Inferences Quiz

1. Bill and Jessica are almost done taking turns choosing the players for their teams. It was Jessica's turn to choose and Kurt was the only person left. Jessica called Kurt's name.

We can infer that

Kurt is not a very good player.

Kurt is on Bill's team.

Jessica was inconsiderate of Kurt's feelings.

Bill, Jessica, Kurt and the other players are playing basketball.

Kurt is mean.

We can infer that Kurt is not a very good player because it is mentioned that Bill and Jessica are almost done choosing players for their teams, and Kurt is the only person left. This implies that Kurt is the last option and likely not a top choice for either team, indicating that he may not be as skilled or talented as the other players.

Explanation

We can infer that Kurt is not a very good player because it is mentioned that Bill and Jessica are almost done choosing players for their teams, and Kurt is the only person left. This implies that Kurt is the last option and likely not a top choice for either team, indicating that he may not be as skilled or talented as the other players.

2. "Larry, as your boss, I must say it has been very interesting working with you," Ms. Valdez said. "However, it seems that our company's needs and your performance style are not well matched.

What is Ms. Valdez telling Larry?

She would feel bad if Larry quit.

Larry is being fired.

Larry is getting a raise.

She really enjoyed working with him.

Larry had good performance reviews.

Ms. Valdez's statement implies that there is a mismatch between the company's needs and Larry's performance style. This suggests that Larry's performance does not align with what the company requires, indicating a potential termination of his employment. While Ms. Valdez acknowledges that it has been interesting working with Larry, the statement overall indicates that Larry's employment may be coming to an end due to performance-related reasons.

Explanation

Ms. Valdez's statement implies that there is a mismatch between the company's needs and Larry's performance style. This suggests that Larry's performance does not align with what the company requires, indicating a potential termination of his employment. While Ms. Valdez acknowledges that it has been interesting working with Larry, the statement overall indicates that Larry's employment may be coming to an end due to performance-related reasons.

3. Jesse slowly made his way into the classroom. He sat in the back row and put his head down. Mr. Miser announced that today they were playing a trivia game and the winning students would receive extra credit.

What can you infer?

Jesse enjoys Mr. Miser's class.

Mr. Miser teaches math.

Jesse does not like Mr. Miser's class.

Mr. Miser is Jesse's favorite teacher.

Both B and C

Jesse's behavior of slowly entering the classroom, sitting in the back row, and putting his head down suggests that he does not enjoy Mr. Miser's class. The announcement of a trivia game with extra credit as a reward does not change Jesse's negative attitude towards the class. Therefore, we can infer that Jesse does not like Mr. Miser's class.

Explanation

Jesse's behavior of slowly entering the classroom, sitting in the back row, and putting his head down suggests that he does not enjoy Mr. Miser's class. The announcement of a trivia game with extra credit as a reward does not change Jesse's negative attitude towards the class. Therefore, we can infer that Jesse does not like Mr. Miser's class.

4. Jim spends most of his time staring at the cement walls. He wishes he would have done things differently. Jim hates the meals he is served. He also hates having to wear the required uniform.

Where is Jim most likely at?

Construction site

School

Jail

The passage does not have enough information to be sure.

Based on the given information, Jim is most likely in jail. The mention of staring at cement walls, regretting past decisions, disliking meals, and being required to wear a uniform all suggest a restrictive and unpleasant environment, which is commonly associated with being in jail. The other options, such as a construction site or school, do not align with the negative aspects mentioned in the passage.

Explanation

Based on the given information, Jim is most likely in jail. The mention of staring at cement walls, regretting past decisions, disliking meals, and being required to wear a uniform all suggest a restrictive and unpleasant environment, which is commonly associated with being in jail. The other options, such as a construction site or school, do not align with the negative aspects mentioned in the passage.

5. When a poem's speaker describes beautiful flowers, bright sunshine and a happy childhood, you might conclude that he or she

Spends a lot of time outside.

Has a positive outlook on life.

Writes poems a lot

Is unhappy most of the time

None of the above

When a poem's speaker describes elements like beautiful flowers, bright sunshine, and a happy childhood, these choices of imagery and themes suggest that the speaker likely has a positive outlook on life. This type of language generally reflects a sense of appreciation and joy, indicating a positive perspective. While it's possible the speaker may also spend time outdoors or write poems frequently, the specific choice to highlight such uplifting and pleasant imagery more directly supports the conclusion of a positive life view.

Explanation

When a poem's speaker describes elements like beautiful flowers, bright sunshine, and a happy childhood, these choices of imagery and themes suggest that the speaker likely has a positive outlook on life. This type of language generally reflects a sense of appreciation and joy, indicating a positive perspective. While it's possible the speaker may also spend time outdoors or write poems frequently, the specific choice to highlight such uplifting and pleasant imagery more directly supports the conclusion of a positive life view.

6. Turner almost wished he hadn't listened to the radio. He went to the closet and grabbed his umbrella. He would feel silly carrying it to the bus stop.

Turner had to return the umbrella to his teacher.

Turner had heard a weather forecast that predicted rain.

Turner had promised himself to do something silly that morning.

It was raining outside.

All of the above

Turner had heard a weather forecast that predicted rain. This is the correct answer because it explains why Turner grabbed his umbrella despite feeling silly carrying it to the bus stop. The passage mentions that it was raining outside, but it does not provide a clear reason for Turner to grab the umbrella. However, the fact that Turner had heard a weather forecast predicting rain gives a logical explanation for his actions.

Explanation

Turner had heard a weather forecast that predicted rain. This is the correct answer because it explains why Turner grabbed his umbrella despite feeling silly carrying it to the bus stop. The passage mentions that it was raining outside, but it does not provide a clear reason for Turner to grab the umbrella. However, the fact that Turner had heard a weather forecast predicting rain gives a logical explanation for his actions.

7. Randy walked into his room and discovered that his hamster, Pickled, had croaked. He cleaned out an old box and carefully placed Pickles inside. Randy then dug a hole in his backyard and buried the tiny box. Later, he placed a large rock over the mound.

What can you infer?

Randy was happy Pickles finally died because he was getting old.

Randy knew Pickles was getting ready to die.

Randy cared for Pickles.

Randy didn't know what to do with a dead hamster.

Based on the information provided, we can infer that Randy cared for Pickles. He cleaned out a box and carefully placed Pickles inside, then dug a hole in his backyard and buried the box, and finally placed a large rock over the mound. These actions indicate that Randy took the time and effort to give Pickles a proper farewell, suggesting that he cared for his hamster.

Explanation

Based on the information provided, we can infer that Randy cared for Pickles. He cleaned out a box and carefully placed Pickles inside, then dug a hole in his backyard and buried the box, and finally placed a large rock over the mound. These actions indicate that Randy took the time and effort to give Pickles a proper farewell, suggesting that he cared for his hamster.

8. Help Wanted: Young person to work at Cardinal's ballpark. Some sales experience helpful, but not necessary. Uniform provided. Apply at concession stand at the coroner of Broadway and 2nd Ave.

The person who takes this job will probably be

A major league baseball player

An usher

A ticket salesman

A hot dog vendor.

None of the above.

The correct answer is a hot dog vendor. The job posting mentions working at a concession stand, which typically sells food and drinks at a ballpark. The mention of a uniform being provided further supports the idea that the person will be working as a vendor. The other options (major league baseball player, usher, ticket salesman) are not mentioned in the job posting and are not relevant to the duties described.

Explanation

The correct answer is a hot dog vendor. The job posting mentions working at a concession stand, which typically sells food and drinks at a ballpark. The mention of a uniform being provided further supports the idea that the person will be working as a vendor. The other options (major league baseball player, usher, ticket salesman) are not mentioned in the job posting and are not relevant to the duties described.

9. Sally sat down at the dinner table. Her plate was piled high with her mother's home cooking. Sally took very small bites and pushed the food around her plate. Her parents asked how her day was and made small talk. Sally wished her dog, Bubba, wasn't outside.

What can you infer?

Sally isn't hungry.

Sally doesn't like what her mother made for dinner.

Sally's mother's cooking is awful.

All of the above

Based on the information given, we can infer that Sally isn't hungry because she is taking very small bites and pushing the food around her plate. Additionally, Sally's wish for her dog to be inside suggests that she may be seeking comfort or companionship, which could further indicate that she is not enjoying the dinner or her day. Therefore, all of the options mentioned - Sally isn't hungry, Sally doesn't like what her mother made for dinner, and Sally's mother's cooking is awful - can be inferred from the given information.

Explanation

Based on the information given, we can infer that Sally isn't hungry because she is taking very small bites and pushing the food around her plate. Additionally, Sally's wish for her dog to be inside suggests that she may be seeking comfort or companionship, which could further indicate that she is not enjoying the dinner or her day. Therefore, all of the options mentioned - Sally isn't hungry, Sally doesn't like what her mother made for dinner, and Sally's mother's cooking is awful - can be inferred from the given information.

10. Jill hands were trembling and sweat ran down her back. Her face was red and she could feel her ears turning pink, too. Jill grabbed her speech and walked on stage. She smiled at the audience.

What can you infer?

Jill has to give a speech.

Jill is nervous.

Jill was prepared.

All of the above.

None of the above.

Based on the description of Jill's physical symptoms such as trembling hands, sweating, red face, and pink ears, it can be inferred that Jill is nervous. Additionally, the fact that Jill has a speech to give and she grabbed her speech before walking on stage suggests that she is prepared. Therefore, the correct answer is "All of the above."

Explanation

Based on the description of Jill's physical symptoms such as trembling hands, sweating, red face, and pink ears, it can be inferred that Jill is nervous. Additionally, the fact that Jill has a speech to give and she grabbed her speech before walking on stage suggests that she is prepared. Therefore, the correct answer is "All of the above."