Inference and Deduction

In the SET 11+ English paper, many of the most important questions ask you to work out something that the writer has not said directly. This skill is called inference, and alongside deduction it is one of the most valuable tools you can develop.

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What Is Inference?

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.

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What Is Deduction?

Deduction is closely related to inference but is slightly different. When you deduce something, you reach a logical conclusion based on the evidence available. In the SET exam, deduction questions expect you to draw a definite conclusion from the facts in the passage.