Inference and Deduction

In the CSSE 11+ exam, some of the most challenging — and most rewarding — questions ask you to work out something the writer has not said directly. This is called inference, and it is one of the most important skills you can develop for the English paper.

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What Is Inference?

Inference means reading between the lines. The writer gives you clues through their choice of words, descriptions, and actions, and you use those clues to work out what is really happening — or how a character is feeling — even though it is not stated outright.

Think of it like being a detective. The writer leaves clues, and your job is to piece them together to solve the puzzle.

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What Is Deduction?

Deduction is closely related to inference, but it relies more on facts and logic. When you deduce something, you use evidence from the passage to reach a conclusion that must be true.