You are viewing a free preview of this lesson.
Subscribe to unlock all 10 lessons in this course and every other course on LearningBro.
In the GL 11+ exam, some of the trickiest questions ask you to work out something that the writer has not said directly. This is called inference — and it is one of the most valuable skills you can develop.
Inference means reading between the lines. The writer gives you clues, and you use those clues to work out what is really happening — or how someone is feeling — even though it is not spelled out.
Think of it like being a detective. The writer leaves clues, and your job is to piece them together.
Example: "Mia slammed her book on the desk and stared out of the window."
The writer does not say Mia is angry or frustrated — but we can infer it from her action of slamming the book.
Deduction is very similar to inference. It means using facts and evidence in the text to reach a logical conclusion.
Example: "Jack pulled his scarf tighter around his neck and watched his breath form clouds in the air."
We can deduce that it is cold outside, even though the writer never says "it was cold."
| Skill | What it means | How it works |
|---|---|---|
| Inference | Reading between the lines | Using clues about feelings, moods, or hidden meanings |
| Deduction | Reaching a logical conclusion | Using facts and evidence to work something out |
In the exam, both skills are used together. The examiner wants to see that you can go beyond the obvious.
Writers are clever — they do not always tell you things directly. Instead, they use clues through:
What a character does tells you how they feel.
| Action | What it might suggest |
|---|---|
| Slamming a door | Anger or frustration |
| Tiptoeing | Trying to be quiet; perhaps sneaking |
| Fidgeting | Nervousness or impatience |
| Smiling broadly | Happiness or excitement |
How a character speaks (not just what they say) gives clues about their mood and personality.
"I'm fine," she muttered, turning away.
The word "muttered" and the action of "turning away" suggest she is NOT fine — she is upset but trying to hide it.
The way a place or scene is described can tell you about the mood or atmosphere.
The sky was heavy with dark clouds, and the trees bent and groaned in the wind.
This description creates a threatening, gloomy atmosphere. It might suggest that something bad is about to happen.
The specific words a writer chooses carry meaning beyond their basic definition.
| Word used | Instead of | Why it matters |
|---|---|---|
| "crept" | "walked" | Suggests secrecy or fear |
| "devoured" | "ate" | Suggests greed or extreme hunger |
| "glared" | "looked" | Suggests anger or hostility |
| "whispered" | "said" | Suggests secrecy or gentleness |
Follow this method whenever you need to infer something from a passage:
What exactly are you being asked to work out? Underline the key words.
Go to the section the question is about. Read it carefully.
Ask yourself:
Say what the clues suggest or show. Use phrases like:
Always quote from the text to prove your point.
Read this passage:
Subscribe to continue reading
Get full access to this lesson and all 10 lessons in this course.