Which choice most logically completes the text? A group of primate conservationists recently began a long-term study of the effects of different conservation strategies on the white-headed langur (*Trachypithecus poliocephalus*). The species population is currently estimated to be around 1,000. It is challenging to accurately count these primates, however, which makes it difficult to tell whether the population is increasing, decreasing, or staying stable. The study may thus ______

risk making inaccurate conclusions about the effectiveness of different conservation strategies.

cause other conservationists to adopt a new methodology for counting populations.

benefit from including species beyond the white-headed langur.

fail to consider less-well-known conservation approaches for the white-headed langur.

Which choice most logically completes the text? Scientists recently created a model to predict how increasing human activity will affect future mammal population sizes in US national forests. Unfortunately, when the model is applied to large forests, its predictions for large-mammal populations are too high, and when applied to small forests, its predictions for small-mammal populations are too high. Tongass National Forest in Alaska is a large forest, covering more than 3 million acres. If used to evaluate the effect of increasing human activity on this forest in ten years, the model would likely therefore ______

overestimate the actual population sizes of large mammals.

exaggerate the effect of increasing human activity on small mammals.

ignore the predator-prey relationships between large and small mammals.

reflect factors affecting large mammals other than increasing human activity.

Which choice most logically completes the text? Scientists recently created a model to predict how increasing human activity will affect future mammal population sizes in US national forests. Unfortunately, when the model is applied to large forests, its predictions for large-mammal populations are too high, and when applied to small forests, its predictions for small-mammal populations are too high. Pinehollow National Forest in Montana is a large forest, covering more than 3 million acres. If used to evaluate the effect of increasing human activity on this forest in ten years, the model would likely therefore ______

overestimate the actual population sizes of large mammals.

exaggerate the effect of increasing human activity on small mammals.

ignore the predator-prey relationships between large and small mammals.

reflect factors affecting large mammals other than increasing human activity.

Reading & Writing · Information and Ideas

Inferences

Draw the most logical conclusion from a short passage.

What the SAT Tests

Inference questions ask 'which choice best completes the text?' The right answer is the logical continuation of the passage's argument — not a leap beyond the evidence.

Key Tips for Inferences

The correct answer is the tightest logical extension of the given text.
If a choice requires outside information, it is wrong.
Beware of opposite-direction answers that mirror the passage structure but flip meaning.

How to recognize Inferences questions

Look for Information and Ideas signals in the stem: evidence, purpose, transition, grammar rule, vocabulary-in-context, or synthesis task.
Before reading choices, state what the correct answer must do in the sentence or passage.
The official College Board skill label is Inferences; use that label to drill only this question type.

Fast solving workflow

Name the question type before reading the choices; the SAT repeats the same jobs with different passages.
Predict the job of the correct answer in plain English, then compare choices against that job.
Require proof from the text or sentence structure. A choice that sounds reasonable but is not supported should be eliminated.

Common traps

Choosing a true statement that does not answer the exact question.
Overextending an inference beyond what the passage supports.
Ignoring contrast words such as however, although, or nevertheless.

Sample Inferences Questions

These are real practice questions pulled from our Digital SAT bank. Try each one before reading the highlighted correct answer.

Question 1 · Easy
Which choice most logically completes the text?
A group of primate conservationists recently began a long-term study of the effects of different conservation strategies on the white-headed langur (Trachypithecus poliocephalus). The species population is currently estimated to be around 1,000. It is challenging to accurately count these primates, however, which makes it difficult to tell whether the population is increasing, decreasing, or staying stable. The study may thus ______
- A. risk making inaccurate conclusions about the effectiveness of different conservation strategies.Correct
- B. cause other conservationists to adopt a new methodology for counting populations.
- C. benefit from including species beyond the white-headed langur.
- D. fail to consider less-well-known conservation approaches for the white-headed langur.
Question 2 · Easy
Which choice most logically completes the text?
Scientists recently created a model to predict how increasing human activity will affect future mammal population sizes in US national forests. Unfortunately, when the model is applied to large forests, its predictions for large-mammal populations are too high, and when applied to small forests, its predictions for small-mammal populations are too high. Tongass National Forest in Alaska is a large forest, covering more than 3 million acres. If used to evaluate the effect of increasing human activity on this forest in ten years, the model would likely therefore ______
- A. exaggerate the effect of increasing human activity on small mammals.
- B. overestimate the actual population sizes of large mammals.Correct
- C. ignore the predator-prey relationships between large and small mammals.
- D. reflect factors affecting large mammals other than increasing human activity.
Question 3 · Easy
Which choice most logically completes the text?
Scientists recently created a model to predict how increasing human activity will affect future mammal population sizes in US national forests. Unfortunately, when the model is applied to large forests, its predictions for large-mammal populations are too high, and when applied to small forests, its predictions for small-mammal populations are too high. Pinehollow National Forest in Montana is a large forest, covering more than 3 million acres. If used to evaluate the effect of increasing human activity on this forest in ten years, the model would likely therefore ______
- A. exaggerate the effect of increasing human activity on small mammals.
- B. overestimate the actual population sizes of large mammals.Correct
- C. ignore the predator-prey relationships between large and small mammals.
- D. reflect factors affecting large mammals other than increasing human activity.

Practice Inferences Questions

Drill inferences questions in the Digital SAT Reading & Writing question bank, or take a full-length practice module to see how this skill appears under test conditions.

Practice block	What to do	Move on when
Warmup	Solve 10 untimed inferences questions and write the rule used for each.	You can explain 8 of 10 without reading the explanation.
Timed drill	Solve 20 filtered bank questions at real module pace.	Accuracy is at least 80% and misses are not repeating.
Transfer	Take a mixed timed module and mark each Information and Ideas miss.	The skill still holds up when mixed with other question types.

FAQs

What is Inferences on the Digital SAT?