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In the CEM 11+ exam, many of the most challenging questions will ask you to work out something that the writer has not said directly. This skill is called inference, and it is one of the most important things you can practise.
Inference means reading between the lines. The writer gives you clues — through word choice, actions, descriptions, and details — and your job is to piece those clues together to understand what is really happening.
Think of it like being a detective. A detective does not always see the crime happen, but they gather evidence and work out what occurred. That is exactly what you do when you infer meaning from a text.
It is important to understand the difference:
| Skill | What it means | Example question |
|---|---|---|
| Retrieval | Finding information directly stated in the text | "What colour was the front door?" |
| Inference | Working out something the text suggests but does not say outright | "How do you think the character felt about the house?" |
In the CEM exam, retrieval questions are usually quicker to answer. Inference questions require more thought — and they are where you can really stand out.
Writers do not always tell you things directly. Instead, they use clues. Here are the main types to look for:
What a character does tells you a lot about how they feel.
Example: "Maya kept glancing at the clock on the wall."
This suggests Maya is anxious, impatient, or waiting for something. The writer does not say she is nervous — but her action tells us.
What a character says and how they say it reveals their feelings and personality.
Example: "I suppose it will be fine," he muttered, looking away.
The word "muttered" and the phrase "looking away" suggest the character is reluctant, doubtful, or unhappy — even though the words themselves sound neutral.
The way a place or scene is described can create mood and atmosphere.
Example: "The garden was wild and tangled, with nettles pressing against the cracked windows."
This description creates a feeling of neglect and abandonment. The garden has not been cared for, which might suggest the house is empty or the owner is elderly or unwell.
Individual words carry shades of meaning. A writer choosing "crept" instead of "walked" is telling you something extra.
| Word | What it suggests |
|---|---|
| Crept | Moving quietly and secretly — perhaps afraid or sneaking |
| Strolled | Walking in a relaxed, unhurried way — perhaps happy or carefree |
| Stormed | Moving angrily and forcefully — perhaps furious |
| Trudged | Walking slowly and heavily — perhaps tired, sad, or reluctant |
In the CEM exam, many inference questions are multiple choice. But even with multiple choice, you need to think carefully about the clues in the text before choosing your answer.
When you need to write an inference answer, use these steps:
Go back to the passage and locate the relevant evidence.
Ask yourself: What does this action, word, or description tell me about the character, setting, or mood?
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