Ck Commonly Repeated Inference Based Questions – Download here
Inference questions require you to draw logically valid conclusions from the given passage. The answer must be directly supported by the passage and not require additional assumptions.
Question 1:
Many successful entrepreneurs attribute their achievements to a combination of hard work and risk-taking. However, studies indicate that businesses with conservative financial strategies and low-risk investments have a higher long-term survival rate than those built on high-risk decisions.
Which of the following can be inferred from the passage?
(A) Risk-taking is not a necessary factor for business success.
(B) Most successful entrepreneurs have conservative financial strategies.
(C) Businesses that take high financial risks are more likely to fail in the long run.
(D) Hard work is not as important as financial strategy in business.
(E) Entrepreneurs should always avoid risk to ensure success.
Question 2:
A study found that regular physical activity improves cognitive function in adults over 50. However, the study also noted that cognitive improvements were only observed in individuals who exercised consistently for at least six months.
Which of the following must be true?
(A) Cognitive function improves only if physical activity is performed daily.
(B) Short-term exercise does not significantly improve cognitive function in adults over 50.
(C) Exercising for six months guarantees cognitive improvement.
(D) Adults under 50 do not benefit from exercise in terms of cognitive function.
(E) Physical activity is the only factor that affects cognitive function in older adults.
Question 3:
During the last decade, the number of electric cars in the city has doubled, yet total gasoline consumption has remained constant.
Which of the following must be true based on the passage?
(A) People are using gasoline-powered vehicles more frequently.
(B) The number of gasoline-powered vehicles has also increased.
(C) The city’s total number of vehicles has remained the same.
(D) Gasoline-powered vehicles now consume more fuel per mile than before.
(E) Some people who bought electric cars still use gasoline-powered cars regularly.
Question 4:
A new medical study shows that people who eat processed foods regularly are twice as likely to develop heart disease compared to those who consume mostly fresh foods.
Which of the following can be logically inferred from this study?
(A) Eating fresh foods prevents heart disease.
(B) Processed foods directly cause heart disease.
(C) People who eat processed foods regularly have a higher risk of heart disease.
(D) All people who eat processed foods will develop heart disease.
(E) Avoiding processed foods ensures good heart health.
Question 5:
In a certain town, the average price of houses increased by 15% over the past year. However, the number of houses sold decreased during the same period.
Which of the following can be inferred?
(A) The demand for houses in the town has decreased.
(B) Fewer people can afford houses at the new prices.
(C) The town has imposed new restrictions on home purchases.
(D) The overall value of real estate in the town has decreased.
(E) More people are moving out of the town.
Question 6:
A report states that air pollution levels in urban areas have increased by 25% over the last five years, despite increased efforts to promote public transportation and cycling.
Which of the following must be true?
(A) Public transportation and cycling are not effective in reducing air pollution.
(B) Other factors besides transportation contribute to air pollution.
(C) People are using public transport less than before.
(D) The number of vehicles on the road has increased.
(E) Air pollution will continue to increase in the future.
Question 7:
In a recent survey, 80% of employees at a large corporation reported feeling more productive when working remotely than in an office. However, 60% of managers at the same company believe that remote work reduces productivity.
Which of the following can be inferred from this information?
(A) Employees and managers have different perspectives on remote work productivity.
(B) Employees are more productive when they work without supervision.
(C) Managers are unaware of how productive employees actually are.
(D) Remote work reduces collaboration between employees and managers.
(E) Employees prefer working remotely over working in an office.
Question 8:
A new drug was introduced to treat a chronic disease, and patients who took the drug showed significant improvement. However, doctors also found that some patients experienced severe side effects.
Which of the following can be inferred?
(A) The new drug is effective for all patients with the disease.
(B) Some patients may experience negative effects from the new drug.
(C) The drug will be discontinued due to side effects.
(D) No other treatments are available for this disease.
(E) The drug improves health only in patients who do not experience side effects.
Question 9:
A study found that students who sleep at least 8 hours before an exam perform better than those who sleep less. However, the study also noted that students who studied for fewer than two hours performed poorly, regardless of sleep duration.
Which of the following must be true?
(A) Sleep alone does not guarantee good performance on exams.
(B) Studying is not necessary if a student gets enough sleep.
(C) Students who sleep less than 8 hours always perform poorly.
(D) Students who study more always perform well.
(E) Students should prioritize sleep over studying.
Question 10:
A company launched a cheaper version of its most popular smartphone model, expecting to attract budget-conscious customers. However, after the launch, sales of the premium version also increased.
Which of the following can be inferred?
(A) Some customers may have bought the premium version after comparing it to the cheaper version.
(B) The cheaper version is better than the premium version.
(C) The company miscalculated its target audience.
(D) Budget-conscious customers did not buy the cheaper version.
(E) The company should discontinue the cheaper version.
Solutions & Explanations
Question 1: (C)
The passage states that businesses with conservative financial strategies have a higher long-term survival rate. This implies that high-risk businesses are more likely to fail.
Question 2: (B)
The passage states that cognitive improvements were only observed after six months of consistent exercise, meaning short-term exercise does not produce significant effects.
Question 3: (E)
If the number of electric cars has doubled but gasoline consumption remained constant, some people must still be using gasoline-powered cars despite owning electric vehicles.
Question 4: (C)
The study shows a higher likelihood of heart disease among those who eat processed foods. It does not prove causation, only correlation.
Question 5: (B)
If housing prices increased while sales decreased, it suggests that fewer people can afford homes at higher prices.
Question 6: (B)
Since air pollution increased despite efforts to promote green transportation, it suggests that other factors (factories, construction, etc.) contribute to pollution.
Question 7: (A)
The survey results show a difference in opinions between employees and managers regarding productivity.
Question 8: (B)
The passage states that some patients experienced severe side effects, meaning the drug is not universally safe.
Question 9: (A)
The passage shows that both sleep and study time matter—students who studied too little performed poorly, even with enough sleep.
Question 10: (A)
Since premium sales increased after launching the cheaper version, some customers may have preferred the premium version after comparison.
How to tackle Inference based questions
For most CAT aspirants, RC is a nightmare. “It takes too much time” “The answer choices are too close” and so on. So how does one attempt and more importantly crack Reading Comprehension?Firstly, RC has to be attempted, as it accounts for , almost a 1/3rd of VA section. Since you can’t do well in VA section without RC, the bottom line is, no RC No Tier1 Bschool.
A lot of RC questions in CAT are not based directly on the facts stated in the passage but require you to make some inferences. While you do learn through practice, it makes sense for you to go and study Critical Reasoning basics before attempting inference-based questions. This should help you get a sound understanding for the nature of arguments: Facts, Assumptions and how Conclusions and Inferences can be drawn.
LETS START WITH SOME BASIC STUFF:
INFERENCE: Process of using observation and background knowledge as well as other known premises to determine a conclusion that makes sense.
EXAMPLES:
1.Sally arrives at home at 4:30 and knows that her mother does not get off of work until 5. Sally also sees that the lights are off in their house. Sally can infer that her mother is not yet home.
2.Bob knows that Baltimore is known for its crabcakes and Bob is going to a seafood restaurant in Baltimore for dinner tonight. Bob can infer that the restaurant will likely serve crabcakes.
3.Sherry’s toddler is in bed upstairs. She hears a bang and crying. Sherry can infer that her toddler fell out of bed.
4.John hears a smoke alarm and smells burnt bacon. John can infer that his neighbor burnt her breakfast.
THINGS TO KEEP IN MIND FOR INFERENCE QUESTIONS:
1.Don’t jump into the Assumption Hunt. These questions usually don’t carry much in the way of glaring assumptions. Instead, these questions generally test your ability to derive a conclusion from stated premises.
2.Knock out answers with extreme wording. Inference answers typically do not use only, always, never, best or any strong words that leave little wiggle room. The right answers on Inference questions will generally use more qualifiers and less extreme language.
3.Try to fully understand what the passage’s point is and the exact reasoning so that if the question asks you to extend that reasoning, you are able to accurately do so.
4.Use the process of elimination. Inference questions typically have two or three good answers. The best way to tackle these questions is to gradually eliminate the possible answers until you have one or two and then choose the last one by scope.
SAMPLE QUESTION:
Although Locke has been hailed as a giant figure in European intellectual history, his ideas were largely borrowed from his predecessors, who are now unfairly neglected by historians. Furthermore, Locke never wrote a truly great book; his most widely known works are muddy in style, awkwardly constructed, and often self-contradictory.
With which of the following would the author most likely agree?
a)Locke made use of ideas without acknowledging his predecessors as the sources of those ideas.
b)Current historians are re-evaluating the work of Locke in the light of present-day knowledge.
c)Locke’s contributions to the development of European thought have been greatly exaggerated.
d)Historians should reexamine Locke’s place in European intellectual history.
e)Although Locke’s ideas were important, his way of expressing them in writing was sadly inadequate.
Explanation: The author makes two assertions about Locke: that his ideas were not original and that his books were not very good. On the basis of these assertions, the author concludes that Locke’s reputation as an intellectual giant is undeserved. Choice (C) accurately summarizes this conclusion.
a)focuses on a subsidiary point, not the main idea; moreover, it makes an assumption unsupported by the passage namely, that Locke did not acknowledge the sources of his ideas.
b)Is wrong because although the passage clearly indicates that the author is “re-evaluating” Locke’s work, it does not suggest that “current historians” in general are doing so.
c)This choice best expresses the point, that Locke’s contributions were not original.
d)Is tricky because it is a good answer, but it is not the best answer. (D) implies that the author recommends that other historians re-examine Locke. Since no recommendation exists in the argument, Choice (C) is the only option.
e)Not addressed.
PRACTICE AND TEST-
An Ideal plan would involve working on the basics: Understanding passage structure, summary exercises and critical reasoning for 4-6 weeks. After that start RC specific tests, followed by some Tests.
CAT and XAT papers from earlier years would make excellent practice tests as they contain high quality RC questions.
However, one thing does remain the same — this part of the paper is crucial! If you mess up RC, it will be difficult to clear the sectional cut-off for English in CAT.
SO KEEP PRACTICING…HAPPY LEARNINGS
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