In a nonfiction text that presents a problem and solution, what should you infer?

• A. The problem's cause and the proposed solution
• B. The author's personal history
• C. The exact date of publication
• D. The number of pages in the chapter

Answer: (A)

When a nonfiction text uses a problem-and-solution structure, you look for what explains why the problem happened and what the author suggests to fix it. The author often lays out a problem, then gives its causes or contributing factors and follows with a proposed remedy or set of steps. Inferring both the cause and the proposed solution shows you how the author is arguing and what action they want readers to consider. Things like the author’s personal history, the exact publication date, or how many pages are in a chapter don’t illuminate the problem or its fix, so they aren’t what you should infer here. For example, if the text discusses polluted water and identifies factory runoff as a cause and suggests stronger regulations or filtration as a solution, you’re inferring both the cause and the proposed remedy.